Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

10/6/03

Q:

If I am a 1200-1500 calorie daily diet, what would be the appropriate carbs and fat for this. It seems like every food item that you buy over the counter is loaded with carbs and fat.

A:

In convention, we assign 55-60% carbs, 10-15% protein, and the rest fat with its different breakdowns. In reality, what works is very individual. Not all carbs treat you equally; some people do better on higher protein, but of the right type. Nutritional supplementation often helps when appropriately applied. High acid foods vs. alkaline foods can play a role. And so the list goes. Being active is always such a key to making all else work well. Even the confined can be given appropriate exercises. Keep a close record of blood sugars with intake so that you will hopefully see a pattern emerge.