I am a borderline diabetic (and was gestational diabetic) so I try to exercise and control my weight to try and keep that at bay as long as possible.
I agree with the good carbs and bad carbs-diabetic diets allow good cargohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is the "simple carbs" like sodas, sugary kid cereals, cookies and cakey things, chips, breads and rolls that are not whole grains-and such that you want to avoid.
So-you don't have to go into carb withdrawal-you just have to make smart carb choices. I know what you mean about being addicted to them though-simple carbs are addicting-they are hunger drivers.
A few years ago I would sit down to a huge plate of (regular) pasta that probably equaled 3 servings easily and garlic bread...now if I want pasta I still have it now and then-but I have a single serving of whole wheat pasta (I buy a whole wheat brand in the health food section that has a measurable serving size listed on the back-3/4 cup rather than the confusing 2oz.
) I have a dab of marinara sauce with it or a little bit of canned diced tomatoes-and a grilled chicken breast along the side for protein. I have a salad instead of garlic bread.
You can definitely still have carbs-but differently.
I enjoy fruit with breakfast and for snacks-not just the ordinary apple or banana, but cherries, melon, mangoes, clementines, plums, and fresh berries. It gives me more variety.
I have found that it is much more satisfying hunger wise to have eggs and fruit, or oatmeal and fruit than it is to have Pop Tarts or donuts or other simple carbs-they stay with me longer.
Good luck to you,
Aphil