Do you have to choose sugar free or does low carb count?

perchy said:

To preface my question, I am not diabetic and hope to avoid it. Type 2 runs in my family, and I was previously a gestational diabetic. (Three years ago.) I am 40, and as of December, I'm currently not even pre-diabetic. So despite all my weaknesses (I have an awful sweet tooth), I'd like to try to do what I can to avoid Type 2 for as long as possible if not forever. (Wish me luck.)

I recently "discovered" Greek yogurt. It's fat free but not sugar free, and yet the carb counts are relatively "in range" as a gestational diabetic snack.

If foods aren't sugar free but they still are low carb, is this good?

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For me, its all about the total carb count. Sometimes I find that "sugar free" isnt always a better choice. Sugar free items can still be quite high in total carb count. I eat yogurt frequently and it is not sugar free...but runs about 15g of carbs per serving. Watch your labels and compare to make the best choices for yourself.

Cheers
Pam

perchy said:

To preface my question, I am not diabetic and hope to avoid it. Type 2 runs in my family, and I was previously a gestational diabetic. (Three years ago.) I am 40, and as of December, I'm currently not even pre-diabetic. So despite all my weaknesses (I have an awful sweet tooth), I'd like to try to do what I can to avoid Type 2 for as long as possible if not forever. (Wish me luck.)

I recently "discovered" Greek yogurt. It's fat free but not sugar free, and yet the carb counts are relatively "in range" as a gestational diabetic snack.

If foods aren't sugar free but they still are low carb, is this good?

Click to expand...

I wish you the best at avoiding Diabetes. sugar free is NOT the same a low carb, low carb is not the same as low sugar. IE potato is fat free, but very high in bad carbs (fast acting carbs and high glycemic at that, faster tham white sugar). You may want to find out what foods are high "Glycemic", that is foods that quickly raise blood sugar levels and reduce those foods.

Since "they" dont really know what causes diabetes, its not known how to avoid getting it. Its not just being fat that makes people diabetic. There is some evidence that having a high Glycemic diet "uses up" a persons own insulin and leads to diabetes.

I was dx with T2 at age 40. My Grandmother had diabetes. No one else in the family has it. Mine was called "adult onset". I do believe that genetics play a large factor as to who gets diabetes. Since it sounds like you may have some genes for getting diabetes, it may help for you to have a blood test at least once a year and have your glucose tested.

Foods do not have to be sugar free, it is a good thing to keep your carbs to a minimum per day. There are many sugar free foods that contain carbs and it has to do with what the ingredients are. Watch for maltodextrin as this is a filler to many foods. Reading labels will keep you in tune as to what you are really eating.