Last year I added “email counseling” to my nutrition practice. Best thing I ever did. People are far more open and honest when they don’t have to stare a dietitian in the face. The most frequently asked question is “What can I eat at a fast food restaurant and still lose weight?”.
day 4 of a 30 day 1200 calorie menu plan
Hot Topic: Fast Food
B: McDonald’s Egg McMuffin, coffee
L: Burger King hamburger, small fries, diet cola
D: Chick Fil A chargrilled chicken salad, diet Lemonade
Snack: McDonald’s apple dippers, carton of lowfat milk
Do you know ANYTHING about the impact of carbohydrates on the blood sugar of a person with diabetes?
No, I didn’t think so.
The foods you suggest would raise blood sugar dramatically. People with diabetes should never be eating a diet that is almost half carbs.
Advice like this causes people to run blood sugars that lead to blindness, amputation and kidney failure. Please update your understanding of how carbohydrates raise blood sugar before you advise people with diabetes what to eat.
Jenny,
Carbohydrates: Between 45 percent and 65 percent of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates. Ask any endocrinologist. This meal plan that I have provided is on the low side in regards to carbohydrate.
DAy three at 616 grams of carb…not likely–I am not a patricularly low carber (130-200gr most days), but 600 on a daily basis would be insane amounts of insulin–I’m not sure I had that many on my daughters rehersal or wedding day (WAG and correction bolusing)…
I can do a burger (no bun) and about half a small fry, but bread kills me even if I bolus for the “right” number of carbs. I am better off with the fires–and even better with potatoe salad.
Carbohydrate should not come mainly from starchy food.bread,rice,potatoes…It has to include vegetables.legumes and others.Fast food do raise blood glucose terribly…
Marie B - Just a comment on a huge bolus - It’s true you would have to take a larger bolus - but that is the beauty of Carb counting - It gives flexibility.
Looks like I ruffled some feathers. But now that I have your attention:
Healthy fast food: Burger chains
Figuring out the healthiest option at your favorite fast food burger chain can be tricky. Chicken may seem like a better diet choice than beef, but according to McDonald’s website, the McDonald’s chicken sandwich has more fat and calories than their regular hamburger – a decent choice at 280 calories and 10 grams of fat. But upgrade that regular hamburger to a Big Mac, and you’ll be adding more than 300 calories and 20 grams of fat to your meal!
However, even some old favorites can be healthier choices – once you know the nutrition facts of your favorite items, you’ll be able to make better decisions.
Healthy choices
Regular, single-patty hamburger without mayo or cheese
Grilled chicken sandwich
Veggie burger
Garden salad with grilled chicken and low-fat dressing
Egg on a muffin
Baked potato
Yogurt parfait
Grilled chicken strips
Limiting cheese, mayo, and special sauces
Unhealthy choices
Double-patty hamburger with cheese, mayo, special sauce, and bacon
Fried chicken sandwich
Fried fish sandwich
Salad with toppings such as bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing
i am really appreciating this, as there are many times i am unable to cook my own food, as i am out and about running errands, and would like to know the best choices for using fast food.
A 45-65% of calories should NOT come from carbohydrates for a person with diabetes. That is outdated information.
People who are not injecting insulin cannot maintain normal blood sugars eating that much carbohydrate. People who are, are more likely to have hypos trying to cover that much carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate leads to much more weight gain for people with diabetes than it does for people with intact blood sugar control. For people with Type 2 a high carbohydrate diet will invariably lead to weight gain.
PLEASE do some studying about the health effects of cutting back on carbohydrates for people with diabetes. Several recent studies have found significant health improvements on diets that contain a lot less carbohydrate than what you are recommending. You really are harming people with diabetes by telling them to eat that much carbohydrate!