Quote:
Originally Posted by katy trail
I don't pay attention to the carbs, generally. i have noticed many people swear my living low carb reduces acne and other body problems. i wonder if i could tell if i have any of the symptoms of being carb. sensitive? if i'm not, then going through a trial period of prob. at least a week would be pointless, since otherwise i can do healthy carbs.
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Finding out whether or not you're carb sensitive IS THE POINT of trying different levels and types of carbs. The trial period is the only way to get the information (and it will take a lot more than a couple weeks).
It would be great if there was a blood test, or a list of definitive symptoms, but I don't think there is. Trial and error is all there is.
There are some clues, but they're not definitive. If you're insulin resistant, diabetic, low-thyroid, have pcos, hypoglycemia, metabolic syndrome... you might be at higher risk, but trial and error are still going to be the only way you can tell which carbs give you trouble, and how much trouble.
If you're happy with your current progress and current state of health, then don't do the experiments. If you want to find out if you'd feel better on different levels or types of carbs, then experiment (but give it a good, long couple months experiment and repeat it a few times).
It's taken me at least two years to fully understand my carb issues. Some carby foods have worse effects than others. I need to avoid wheat pretty much entirely (though lab tests were negative for celiac disease and I can't take the scrath allergy tests). I have to keep overall carb count moderately low (a large amount of sugar produces the same reaction as a smaller amount of wheat). All carby foods (the ones high enough in carbs to be considered bread, fruit, or "other carbohydrate" on an exchange plan) increase my hunger and health issues (skin problems, joint and muscle aches, fatigue, and generally feeling run-down and crappy).
Grain foods tend to make me really, really hungry. I don't think eliminating them entirely is the answer, but I've had to limit them far, far more strictly than I would have imagined.
Fruits can even be a problem, though I can eat more fruits than starches.
Protein, veggies, and even fat I haven't had to limit nearly as much (I use an exchange plan and so I limit everything. The proteins, veggies, and fat though I haven't had any trouble staying within my limits. Fruit and other carb exchanges are a nother matter though.
Surprisingly, I don't find myself eating or wanting more protein than I did before. I eat more fat, but try to make it the healthiest fats.
I don't think there's any way around experimentation. Maybe someday, but it's probably decades from reality.