Calories or carbohydrates

If you are a diabetic you need to limit carbohydrates. With the exception of FIBER all carbs are converted to glucose (sugar) when digested. The speed at which this happens is called the GI (Glycemic Index). The faster carbs are converted to glucose; the more dangerous they are to a diabetic; because they create a SURGE of glucose in the blood. This does not mean you can eat unlimited amounts of protein and fat though. What it means is; that if your recommended caloric intake is 1,800 calories per day - no more than 50% of them should be from carbohydrates. The carbohydrates consumed should be complex carbohydrates with plenty of fiber included and as close to their natural state as possible. Example: brown rice not white, baked potatoes with skin on not mashed potates; whole wheat bread not white. Beans and other legumes are also excellent sources of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. I hope this information helps.

As far as blood glucose levels are concerned, carbohydrates are more harmful, if you eat too many. But, if you also want to lose weight, you need to watch calories, as well. You can actually have any type of carbohydrate as long as you limit the number and keep track of how many you have each day and at each meal and snack. There are different ways to do this. You probably need to talk to a diabetes educator to find out. I found a diabetes educator through my local health department. You might also ask your doctor. But, I have found, general practitioners rarely know very much about how to handle the disease.

Carbohydrates are more harmful to a diabetic. simple carbs convert immediatly to sugar. potatoes are high in starch, which also converts to sugar in the body. if you are diabetic you should speak with your doctor and he will help evaluate your height/weight and glucose levels to determine the best diet for you. all in all, worry more about carbs than calories if you are a diabetic.

Hi There- To answer your question, I can only speak for myself. Everything with diabetes is a balance and carbs can be very bad for blood sugar, especially pasta and potatoes and rice. I eliminated pasta and rice from my diet because I found it too complicated to keep them in. I can eat potatoes once or twice a week but everything has to be mentally negotiated. If I eat this, then I can't have that etc. Hope I answered your question.

I would say without a doubt carbohydrates are more harmful. I wear an insulin pump that dispenses insulin every time I eat. I have to base that insulin dose soley on the number of carbs I am eating...ie...one unit of insulin for every 10 carbs I consume,so the less carbs I eat the less insulin I need. Because of that and a minimum of 6 blood tests a day I rarely worry about calories already have too much to keep track of. The main thing is to eat a healthy diet which a dietician or diabetes educator can help you with. Cutting all carbs and eating too much protein is not healthy in fact too much protein is bad for your kidneys( I learned that one the hard way). Good luck to you.

i dont know what is the harmfull for diabetics but i can tell you about the carbohydrate acctually these are compound of carbon,hydrogen and oxygen.the last two elements are present in ratio of 2:1 as in a molecule of water.the principle carbohdrates,which are present in potoplasm are glucose (grape sugar), fructose (fruit sugar) and sucrose (cane sugar). the chief role of carbohydrate is not to supply (by oxidation) readily available energy for the various vital proceses going on in acell.some carbohydrates are converted into each other substances and enter into the structure of protoplasm and thus serve as the building material i.e they are also stored as strach in plants. such as potatto. hope this wll help you to understand.

According to my doctor it is the carbs that should be watched most carefully. It seems that the carbs are broken down into sugar and thus an overly amount of carbohydrate consumption is not good for the diabetic. Consult with your doctor or nutritionist about a good carb count for you. I'm limited to about 65 carbs a day. Your doctor or nutritionist can probably provide you with a chart showing the carb values of just about any food item there is. From this chart you can plan your daily intake. Hope this has been of some help.