If you are that sensitive to carbs, you might want to try limiting your fat intake. All the vegan doctors are saying that it's fat that causes insulin resistance. When your cells carry too much fat, they end up not being able to absorb sugar, and your blood sugar levels go up when you eat carbs. Carbs end up getting blamed, but fat is the real culprit. In other words, by going on a low-fat vegan diet, you can reduce the amount of fat in your cells and reduce your insulin resistance. Dr. Neal Barnard has a book about diabetes, which seems to have helped a lot of people. You might want to check it out.
I follow a Mediterranean diet/food plan as well as the NHS Eat well guide minus the meat/fish off course. I used to eat a lot of oily fish and seafood and now eat plant based protein.
I
usually eat a well balanced diet most of the time (90%) and allow myself anything that I fancy, 10% of the time. This includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, protein, organic whole grains/ organic pasta/pulses/potatoes and vegetable oils/fat/seeds & nuts. I never buy ready made meals/sauces/salad dressing/cakes/pastry/soups etc and prepare (mostly) all of my own food. Moreover, industrial food often contains high amounts of salt, sugar (usually corn syrup in the US) and tons of additives.
On special occasions and if I'm invited out or when on holiday, I eat what I fancy and certainly do allow myself 'unhealthy' snacks. I find it a bit annoying when guests make sure that you know that they are on some kind of a diet/food plan etc.
I'm not a believer of making things over complicated and always listen to my body (it changes as we grow older) and sensible information from a reputable source.
I'm not a follower of low fat diets (or complicated calculations of units, points, or whatever) and eat (recommended) normal (NHS Med.food plan) quantities of plant based oil/fat which are beneficial to the brain and heart.
Fat (excluding trans or animal fats) also builds cell membranes and hormones, and helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, E, and K.
As I have stated, I usually end up with a headache when I've been given white rice and vegetables because they don't make a balanced, healthy & fulfilling meal. When travelling by plane, that's what they always serve you so now I bring along my own food.
My blood tests (sugar levels) are normal but my genetic make up
may suggest a sensitivity to carbs or metabolic syndrome.
The endocrinologist at the university teaching hospital says that it runs in families and it is genetic. She suggested that I always eat a balanced meal with plenty of fibre and watch my weight and do regular
exercise. She also added that if I'm hungry in between meals to be sure to have a protein/fibre based snack i.e; an oatcake with pb or a yogurt that has a normal fat content with berries,roast chickpeas or some nuts.
At the end of the day, she told me not to be stressed out and to have a relaxed attitude about diet and a
possible illness in the near future.
My last blood test ( a month ago) was normal and it suggests that I'm in good health for my age despite all of the aches and pains of a senior.
We are all so different and our bodies do not react in the same way to either food or medication. My approach to nutrition may not be the same compared to others but it suits me,
most of the time. Nothing is perfect in this world and we don't choose our genetic make up so we have to work around it.
Thank you for your suggestion.