Until I read your article, I never knew about addiction to carbs but I could tell you had looked on my plate! I was raised with a high carb diet as a child and get so cranky if I think I am deprived of it! Does that make sense to you? At the moment, I absolutely crave carbs 100% I admit. I take it a day at a time, but I am addicted! It has to be be bread, rice or potato! IIf I don't, I binge carbs!
Thank you for the reality check and the honesty. I am still learning I can eat low carbs.
Too Sweet!
I was glad to see your article about low carbing to help control diabetes. Not too many people support the low carb lifestyle. I discovered the wonders of a low carb lifestyle about three years ago. I was surprised that you can still indulge in a higher carb food now and then, i.e., bread, potatoes. I find that I can't do that at all. One slip and I am back on the carb addiction trail.
I recently saw a speaker talk about low carb diets to control blood sugars. He said that you will feel terrible for about 2 weeks and then the body starts using fat for energy . He said that he knew many long distance cyclists and runners, who followed low carb diets and that you can get endurance from fat. He said our body naturally wants to use fats for energy but when we have a lot of carbs, the body gets rid of it first by using it for energy.
Congratulations skinny man! Can you really hike all day on the amount of food you give as a sample diet? I am thinking of going off Byetta and going back to really low-carb and know I will switch over to burning fat but if my body fat were as low as yours wouldnt I (you) need to eat more of something?
Thank you. Yes, I can!
On Thursday I hiked for 10 hours on just a little fruit yogurt (that somebody gave me) and a couple of cans of sardines. Yesterday I hiked for 6 hours on my usual breakfast of two poached egg whites and then later a couple of cans of sardines. I just don't get hungry on a very low-carb diet.
In all honesty, I do need to add that I was nearing exhaustion by the end of my hike on Thursday. It was a bit much for somebody who is 73 years old. I hiked in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness to Cherry Lake for 12 miles up about 4,000 feet to close to 12,000 feet. Near the end of the hike I thought that my problem might be low blood glucose, so I took some glucose tabs. They didn't help at all. So the problem wasn't a lack of glucose or other food but just that I had pushed myself a little too much.
I, too, find I eat much less now that I am eating so few carbs. I eat a small meal late in the morning, then have a fairly light supper with my husband and son in the evening. I sometimes have a snack (half an apple, or some cheese or raw veggies) in the afternoon, and sometimes I don't.
I went low carb about 18 months ago after being diagnosed with diabetes (T2) and have lost over 30 pounds so far without really trying. I still have weight to lose, but for the first time in my adult life I believe I will gradually lose the weight. Slowly is fine with me, because I am doing it while eating good food that I truly enjoy, and am not hungry all the time.
I, too, recommend Gary Taubes' book to all and sundry. Some people find it a bit of a dry read, I know, but it is so substantive that it leaves the reader feeling empowered and educated about diet in a way few books manage to achieve. I've been reading your articles on this site and on your own site for many years now, even before I had diabetes (my mom has it, too, so I've had an interest for quite a while) and I've been very happy to see you making the switch to low carb. You look and sound much healthier!
I also refused to consider that I was addicted to carbs for my whole life, while I struggled constantly with cravings and gained more and more weight. Finally. I've accepted the fact that eating fewer carbs leaves me with few cravings, and am losing weight - a lot of weight. Am feeling really good, but had to do some grieving for the loss of my "comforter" -- carbs. It's well worth the period of grieving.
I took the quiz(at the end of this article) on how many carbs I should eat a day. Based on my age(66) , ht of 5'10 and moderate activity it gave an answer of 322grams. I don't think you would recommend that amount. I actually am at about 175 not taking any fiber into account.
Dear Frank,
Thank you so very much for your comment and for bringing that awful quiz to my attention. I have contacted HealthCentral management, which agrees that the quiz doesn't make any since. By the end of the day today I expect it to be removed. Meanwhile, please try to reduce the amount of carbohydrates you consume, particularly starches from grains and potatoes, as well as table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2013 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
5 Health Problems Caused by Drinking Too Much Alcohol 
Top 8 Low-Carb Mistakes 
What Your Feet Say About Your Health 
7 Unusual Treatments for Diabetic Foot Pain 
I am prompted to inquire what people in my circumstances should do in terms of diet. I have both gout and diabetes.
A high protein diet will provoke severe gout attacks for me but keep my A1C at the 6.0 level without glucophage medications. A gout diet, high in carbs, veggies and fruit raises my A1C. I confess I do eat meat and fish regularly but not high purine level meats, organ meats or shell fish.
I do take Allopurinol to control my uric acid level but cannot take high doses because of impaired kidney function.
Martin
I have conflicting conditions too, but not as widely opposite as yours. My problems are celiac, diabetes, weight and the inability to exercise, coupled with the lack of will power to further restrict foods. And a few other things. I had a thought while reading your post: have you considered going vegetarian, without starches? I have a friend who loves the green things she grows in her garden and successfully controls her diabetes with salads and bits of faux meat products. Could this give you the control you seek without gout attacks? Helen