Question on low carb/prediabetic diet
 

Two months ago, my husband was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, so we've gone to a low carb diet. I've read that for diabetics carbs should be no more than 50% of the daily calories; we're probably more in the range of 25% to 30%.

He doesn't go back for blood work for another month. Just wondering if there is any detriment to cutting carbs back that far.

(Plus side, we are both finally tracking our food, and we've each lost 8 or 9 pounds! Not sure if it's low carbs or tracking, but assume it's both)

tekkychick, what do you eat on an average day? Do you see a nutritionist, they would be able to tell you whether that percentage is too low or not. Does your husband check his glucose numbers?
Jennifer

There aren't any nutritionists in our area, unfortunately. The downside of living in a rural area!

For breakfast he usually has eggs and chicken-apple sausages (somedays he has an omelette, some day he has eggs and steak - just depends); he eats a variety of Atkins bars during the day; for lunch, salad with chicken and olives in it; for dinner, it varies, but some kind of meat and veggies - maybe stir-fry chicken and veggies, maybe beef with rogan josh seasoning and naan bread, maybe hamburger (no bun) with onions, tomatoes, avocado, maybe beef ribs with veggie on the side.

We don't do his numbers daily, but his fasting level (right after waking) when we do take it ranges between 90 and 105.

You don't have a nutritionist or dietician, but you must have a doctor - what does he or she say?

The PA recommended around 90 to 100 grams of carbs a day - 30 per meal, on average. Which given he eats about 1600 to 1700 calories a day is about 25%. However, she said "I'm not a nutritionist" so that was just her ballpark.

We seem to be doing fine on the % we're eating, just wondering if anyone knew a reason we should be eating more.

Looking forward to his new blood tests in a month!

You'll be seeing the PA again, right?

It sounds like your husband is doing OK with his choices, so get some feedback then.

The reason usually given for eating more carbs is to get nutrients not available in just protein and fat. Fiber, vitamins, minerals.

Thanks, Kathy. Just was seeing if anyone had any thoughts. But yes, he seems to be doing ok and we'll be talking with the PA in a month or so, so we'll see what she says!

Thanks, all, for feedback.