Question

Tracy from Massachusetts asks: I just started a low carbohydrate diet. I checked my blood sugar with my mom’s testing kit and it was 74. Is that normal? I am 31 and hoping to lose the weight I gained while pregnant.

Answer

You did not mention whether the blood glucose was fasting or after meals, which might impact on interpretation. Most lab standards say 70-110 is normal. So 74 mg/dl is normal, particularly if you had not eaten for several hours. Blood sugar still stays within normal limits on a low carbohydrate diet. Your body can get glucose from several sources, including converting the protein you eat, to keep blood sugar normal.I have to comment that I don't recommend a really low carbohydrate diet to lose weight after pregnancy but I do commend you for trying to lose any excess weight. If you have diabetes in your family (which is assumed if your mother has a blood glucose machine), you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are overweight. You need an approach that will result in lifelong weight control. The best way to lose weight after children is to breast feed and CONTROL carbohydrates, not eliminate them. This means avoiding sources of carbohydrates that are empty calories such as desserts, candy, sugared drinks, pretzels, and snack foods and concentrating on those carbohydrates which are nutrient dense, particularly vegetables, fruit and SMALL portions of whole grains. Moving as much as possible, within any medical limitations, also encourages weight loss. With young children, moving should not be much of a problem! Dr. Irene