Phoenix and Noblehead inform a newbie about lowcarb !

How many carbs is lowcarb ? A newbie posts a new thread and asks the question.

“I was diagnosed in Feb 2013 and since then have lost nearly 3 stone and exercise every day for at least 60 minutes although many on this forum recommend a self test monitor I have resisted the temptation until I get my next HbA1c result which is due to be taken in the next week or so.

I do have a couple of questions which I would be grateful if someone could help with.

Firstly, how low is low carb by using the myfitness pal I have been consuming roughly between 80 to at the highest 140g per day. These carbs are generally veg bit of fruit banana (once a week), berries ( but no potato) nothing white i.e white bread, pasta, rice, cake etc. I do have ryvita and atkins bars for a chocolate fix or oat cakes. My diet is mostly chicken, salmon salad meat, cheese and eggs with gluten free chocolate rice cakes (brilliant). Is this low enough to deal with blood glucose issues ?”

Noblehead says

“Depends where you look for a definition of low carb, some say under 50g and others say anything under 130g a day.” Not a million miles out but most type two diabetics with good control use around 50 or less carbs per day.

Phoenix says.

“This is a definition of low carb from a group of lowcarb proponents including Drs Bernstein, Dahlqvist, Feinman, Volek and others.

We suggest the following definitions:

The ADA designates low carbohydrate diets as less than 130 g/d or 26% of a nominal 2000 kcal diet and we consider this a reasonable cut off for the definition of a low-carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate consumption before the epidemic of obesity averaged 43%, and we suggest 26% to 45% as the range for moderate-carbohydrate diets. The intake of less than 30 g/d, as noted above should be referred to as a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD).”

Would Bernstein recommend a non insulin type two diabetic eats 26% to 45% by calories of carb ? Not in a million years and I can’t see Dahlqvist, Feinman, Volek going in that direction either !

Phoenix continues.

"Diabetes UK defines anything less than 45% low carb

For the purpose of this position statement, the term “low-carbohydrate” is used as a collective term to describe any amount of carbohydrate restriction which is less than the dietary reference value of 45% of total energy.

(so for the 2000 cal diet anything less than 225 g carb.)
Other groups give different definitions so for example in the Swedish guidelines 30-40% of calories ( ie at 2000 calories a day , 150- 200g) is designated a moderate low carb diet and below 30% an extremely low carb diet.

From individuals you will get lots of different answers."

“From individuals you will get lots of different answers.” Too right you would. Check out the forum, or anywhere else, and see what well controlled type two diabetics are using in the way of carbs, and it will be around 30-50 grams of carb per day. There are a few exceptions, but the figures Phoenix is quoting are ludicrous for most non insulin using diabetics. I checked the profile for the member, no meds info. But the member stated “although many on this forum recommend a self test monitor I have resisted the temptation until I get my next HbA1c” so my money is on this person is not using insulin.

The carb loving pump user never gives up, but she should know by now, neither does our team.

Eddie

Link to thread here