Counting Carbs, subtract fiber or not?

[marbel]

This seems to be one of those things that there is no agreement on.   So I'll try here, LOL, though I am not sure I can expect more agreement here.  :-)

 

I am counting carbs after getting a pre-diabetic result on the A1C hemoglobin test.   Also focusing on complex carbs, whole grains, etc.  Trying to aim for 50 grams of carbs a day, which some people say is low and others say is not.  I guess that's relative, but 50 is quite low compared to my eating the last few months --> I've realized as I think back on the summer and having candy in the house for my son's work lunches and such, and which I did not resist enough.  Plus ice cream cones.  

 

Anyway!  Back to the topic.  I am not afraid of increasing fat, and I eat a decent amount of protein.  But I am still hungry and missing those carbs.  So, the question in the subject line.  So far today my carb count is 51 (I've eaten 2 meals) but my fiber count is 15.  So, have I consumed 51 or 36 grams of fiber? 

 

For example, I eat yogurt with chia seeds, which are almost completely fiber.  According to the bag, 2 tablespoons (more than I put in my yogurt) has 10 grams of carbs but 9 of those are dietary fiber.   Do those grams count or not?

 

I don't want to play tricks on myself, saying this or that doesn't count so I can eat more.  But, if I can eat more without raising my carb count... well, I wouldn't mind a half piece of whole-grain bread with my breakfast, kwim? 

 

[Carol in Cal.]

They don't count because they are not digested.  So, 36.  :)

[happypamama]

I would actually see if your doc/insurance will give you a blood sugar meter, or buy one yourself. If you're trying to lower your a1c, I think it is going to be helpful for you to see what foods spike YOUR sugar levels, fiber or not.

[Spryte]

I subtract the fiber. My doc suggested ketogenics, so I read up on that and did the calculations for my body. Then I entered everything into an app - I use Carb Manager, but there are others. The app actually subtracts the fiber for me. Plus, I like the pie charts. :)

 

Eating enough fat was hard at first. Now I find it's easy to keep my calories in range and not feel hungry. The weight is coming off. And I feel very good. (Or did, till now.)

 

I currently have a gallstone, so I'm off the diet, but after three or four months - my blood work was perfect - they just did a huge work up at the hospital. And my ketones were high. Ha! No kidding.

[Lawana]

In our experience (dd with Type 1 diabetes) we would ignore fiber if it were a gram or two, but subtract larger amounts. That was for each serving, not throughout the day.

 

And yes, get a blood glucose meter. A lot of individual variation in how different foods effect different people.

 

Read Blood Sugar 101 http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/

[ktgrok]

I subtract fiber and go by net carbs. 

[Guest]

Carb manager is my favorite. I subtract fiber out and go by net, but I do keep an eye on total and try to keep that under 50 total grams or about 35 net. It just depends on what spikes you :)

[marbel]

Thanks for all the input.  It didn't occur to me to ask about a glucose monitor.  

 

I was actually at the doctor for a different matter (GERD); we talked about weight and other things, she ordered a set of basic labs and when she saw the A1C result (5.9), she said to keep working on the weight loss and mind the carbs*, and she'd plan to retest in 3-4 months.    There was no sense of urgency that I needed to monitor, etc.  BTW my blood glucose that day was 96, not fasting.  

 

*She gave a bit more detail than that; I'm just trying to keep it short and it was the basic information anyway.  

[SparklyUnicorn]

I always use net.

 

 

[AK_Mom4]

Depends on your body and how it handles the fiber. I'm a full on Type 2 insulin dependent.... and I have ALWAYS had to include the fiber carbs in my counts in order to manage my blood sugar readings. And you can read PPs that say they ignore it.

 

Walmart sells a monitor and strips for under $20 these days as does CVS and Walgreens. Test before you eat and an hour after to see how the fiber carbs are affecting you. Compare meals with similiar carb count, but one having mostly fiber and the other without.

[Lawana]

Thanks for all the input. It didn't occur to me to ask about a glucose monitor.

 

I was actually at the doctor for a different matter (GERD); we talked about weight and other things, she ordered a set of basic labs and when she saw the A1C result (5.9), she said to keep working on the weight loss and mind the carbs*, and she'd plan to retest in 3-4 months. There was no sense of urgency that I needed to monitor, etc. BTW my blood glucose that day was 96, not fasting.

 

*She gave a bit more detail than that; I'm just trying to keep it short and it was the basic information anyway.

That is why you need to read Blood Sugar 101. Too many doctors are happy to tell you that you are fine despite evidence that you are on your way down the disordered glucose metabolism path. The sooner you address it, the better your chance of success.