Help Me Understand

[Guest guest]

OK folks. Help me understand. I'm a newbie to the group (2 -3 months, I

believe). I read nearly everything that is posted. Husband and I have read

Bernstein. He is controlling his diabetes with diet.

With the controversary about non-carbing vs. low-carbing vs. moderate

carbing, etc---are some of you saying that you can get FINE diabetes control

with moderate carbing?? Meaning with moderate carbing, your blood sugar

readings are in the range you want??

And if those on moderate carbs are getting optimum post meal readings (e.g.

<120), why would anybody criticize others for those moderate carbs??

Or is the controvery simply that low-carbers are pushing low-carbs too

strongly on newbies, when the newbies might do just fine on moderate carbs??

Janie (wife of cowboy diabetic husband who has long legs and a great

moustache)

[Guest guest]

> With the controversary about non-carbing vs. low-carbing vs. moderate

> carbing, etc---are some of you saying that you can get FINE diabetes

control

> with moderate carbing?? Meaning with moderate carbing, your blood sugar

> readings are in the range you want??

***Yes.

> And if those on moderate carbs are getting optimum post meal readings

(e.g.

> <120), why would anybody criticize others for those moderate carbs??

***They shouldn't. Janie, this is a subject that has always been

controversial on this list, unfortunately. We used to have a couple of

members who were really aggressive about it. Diabetes is such an individual

disease, and the only thing I've really learned about the low or moderate

carb thing is that everyone is different. Not only that, our disease isn't

stagnant, and it changes. Some can tolerate many more carbs than others,

some choose to eat more carbs and take medication or insulin, some must take

medication or insulin and still eat low carb, others can eat 200 carbs per

day, take no meds, and maintain good control.

The good news is that we seem to be improving in our tolerance of each

other's way of eating...at least most of us. And I'm grateful for that.

Non tolerant posts risk getting the poster on moderated status, because

there is no excuse for it, IMHO.

> Or is the controvery simply that low-carbers are pushing low-carbs too

> strongly on newbies, when the newbies might do just fine on moderate

carbs??

****I think this is part of it. For whatever reason the low carbers on this

list seem more aggressive than the moderate carbers. I advocate lowering

carb intake, mostly to help newbies become aware that carbs can really spike

their bs - especially those that are overweight and insulin resistant. I

advocate Bernstein's books, because I think it has the most amount of great

information, not because I follow his food plan. I think you and your

husband have been very lucky to find a doc that has given you good

information and really helped you. A lot of folks that come here start with

a diagnosis, a prescription or two, and no real information.

Barb

[Guest guest]

" Janie " asked

> With the controversary about non-carbing vs. low-carbing vs. moderate

> carbing, etc---are some of you saying that you can get FINE diabetes control

> with moderate carbing?? Meaning with moderate carbing, your blood sugar

> readings are in the range you want??

Yes‹125 grams of carbs per day does it for me. If I want to lose weight, I

need to go below 100 carbs. Over 150 carbs, I ache, get leg cramps, and gain

weight. I avoid the whites‹potatoes, corn, rice, pasta, white flour. I don't

eat red meat. I don't consume anything with aspartame (gives me headaches)

or anything labeled low-fat. I exercise by walking (hills‹no pavement) and

pulling weeds. For treats, I drink Diet-Rite White Grape or Tangerine

(sweetened with Splenda) and I sometimes eat ice cream (Breyers Butter

Pecan-14 carbs per half cup).

Becky in VA

no meds; last two HbA1c tests‹5.6

[Guest guest]

Janie wrote,

> With the controversary about non-carbing vs. low-carbing vs.

moderate

> carbing, etc---are some of you saying that you can get FINE

diabetes control

> with moderate carbing?? Meaning with moderate carbing, your blood

sugar

> readings are in the range you want??

>

I use moderate carbing with Actos, and I do have some IGT-level

spikes after meals (over 150). This is a compromise I'm currently

making while I continue to work on losing weight...have 25 or so more

pounds to lose (I've lost almost 60). I know this is a big shock to

folks here, but I lose weight much better with carbs than without.

My need for carbs is partly because I can't lose weight without

significant exercise, and low carbing makes me too tired and

dehydrated (especially in summer) to be able to exercise. I am very

prone to dehydration. In general, I feel very bad on low carb.

If my postprandials remain a little high once my weight is all of the

way down I'll probably increase my meds. I'm only on 15 mgs of Actos

now, the lowest dose. Would probably try Starlix and/or Acarbose

and/or increase Actos. I don't want to increase my meds now because

they often make weight loss difficult.

My problem on this list tends to be with people who claim to

newcomers that going low carb as the only solution has no risks,

while using meds has risks. Some people do have side effects from

meds and I understand that. However, I believe that there are no

grounds for claiming that low carbing is without risk; some of us

(including me) have side effects from low carbing but we may tolerate

meds well.

I believe that diabetes is a complex disease and that it doesn't have

one cure. Some people do well on low carb and some do not.

T