question

[Dobson]

why is it that for 90 carbs i take 5-6 units of humalog, yet when i eat mcdonalds or something and eat say 120 carbs, i take at least 10 units. why is there a 4 unit increase for only 30-50 carbs?

[Shalyndria]

Hmm do you have a carb:insulin ratio when injecting? I did the math (uggg) and from what I saw you have a 1:15 ratio for the 90 cho, but a 1:12 ratio for McDonalds. What prompts you to take these amounts of insulin, if you don't mind my asking?

FYI I moved your thread into a more appropriate forum based on post content :)

Shy

[eevee]

The type of carbs you eat can make a big difference to the amount of insulin required I should think. Low GI carbs would need much less insulin than high GI.
....Eevee

[Belinda]

Wonder how much the fat plays into your absorbtion...fast food is very greasy

[rzrbks]

Dobson

why is it that for 90 carbs i take 5-6 units of humalog, yet when i eat mcdonalds or something and eat say 120 carbs, i take at least 10 units. why is there a 4 unit increase for only 30-50 carbs?

if that's the ratio that works for you, then that's the ratio that works for you

Part of the Charm of Diabetes:rolleyes:

[Dobson]

i take more insulin because say if i eat fries from any fast food joint they seem to raise my BS up a lot more then say if i eat they same amount of carbs in wheat bread or something. like rzrbks mentioned, it just works for me, i was just wondering where the difference was :)

P.S. thanks for moving my post, i realized it was in the wrong forum after i had posted it, lol

[TAutry]

Dobson,

Evee, nailed it for you. All carbohydrate laden foods don't react the same way. Some carbs require longer to breakdown in the system while others get into the system more quickly. She refers to the G. I., which is the Glycemic Index. It rates various foods based on the speed at which they affect blood sugar. Someone has posted a link for the G.I. here in the past. Even without it you can do a search and get a good bit of information.

On the whole, though, learning our unique way of dealing with carbs is a bit of trial and error. On the rare occasion I have fast food fries, I limit myself to only eating 10. That way, I get to have the taste without jacking up my blood sugar. I learned, after being diagnosed, that I didn't have to feel bad about throwing away 'perfectly good food'. I am not necessarily a member of the 'Clean Plate Club'.;)

Travis

[Lorna]

Travis, how can you do that?!!! I always find getting a tast makes me want it more!!! The solution is therefore either resist altogether or bolus for a pig out!

[TAutry]

Lorna,

I really can't explain it other than that's what works for me. I can be satisfied with a little taste without downing the whole batch.

It wasn't always that way. I used to destroy pizza buffets and eat 2 of the largest burgers with a large fry and drink at any fast food restaurant. In fact, I once had pizza buffet where I consumed the equivalent of 1 1/2 large pizzas and then went out for a banana split! Thankfully, that was before my diagnosis when, apparently, my pancreas was still working. I suspect, sometimes, that my past eating habits might have contributed my developing diabetes. Since I am a 1.5, maybe or maybe not.

(Notice, I didn't say anything about 'willpower'. That may play a part in it, but I didn't want to insult you or anyone else by even remotely suggesting that I have it and you don't. I don't believe the answer is that simple. We are all just wired a little differently.:cool: )

Travis

[Dobson]

is there a problem with eating a high amount of carbohydrates at a meal? i always thought if you took the proper amount of insulin to cover it, there were no problems. is that correct?

[KLD]

Not everyone agrees on the answer to this question, Dobson. I'm a type 2 who controls my blood sugar with a low carb diet, so I have no experience with insulin. There are a number of people on these forums who say they eat what they want and inject insulin to cover it. However, it's a fact that the more carbs you eat, the higher your blood sugar goes, and the more insulin you have to inject. It 's also a fact that the more insulin you inject, the more weight you tend to put on. So, from the point of view of keeping your weight under control, I think it's a good idea to keep your carbs low and avoid the need for large amounts of insulin.

Karen

[Harold]

Originally posted by Dobson
is there a problem with eating a high amount of carbohydrates at a meal? i always thought if you took the proper amount of insulin to cover it, there were no problems. is that correct?

Your correct for the short term, but what happens over the long term (years) the high doses of insulin may make you insulin resistant or if your already a type 2 more resistant.

[TAutry]

Dobson,

There are at least 3 schools of thought on the consumption of carbohydrates and diabetes management.

1. Eat 'normally' and take insulin to cover.

This group relies primarily on their insulin or other medication to manage their blood sugar levels. They may exercise as part of their management, but medication is the primary agent.

2. Reduced carb consumption.

The government's Recommended Daily Allowance for a 2000 calorie diet is 300 carbs per day. Those in this group intentionally limit their consumption to below that level. This group may have from 100 - 200 carbs per day, on average.

3. Very low carb.

This group is the one to which Karen refers. They follow a plan that limits their carb intake significantly. They may consume as few as 25 - 30 carbs per day.

There are additional variations in those management plans including the roles of medication(if any) and exercise. Those are the basics that address your question most directly.

Who is right? Maybe all of them. It is contingent upon each person to decide how to manage their diabetes and what works for them. Additional variations in health and lifestyle may dictate changes to any management system.

I follow plan 2. I consume a moderately low carb diet. My target number per day 150 grams. I also supplement with two small doses of insulin per day and regular exercise.

Travis

[JasonSmithMT]

Tanner -

Let me add that for someone like you that is 16 years old your carbohydrate and insulin requirements will vary greatly from most of us adults here. Trying to restrict carbohydrates and insulin at your age can be harmful. Work with your physician and dietician to work out an appropriate nutritional plan to meet your specific needs.

Jason

[KLD]

Trying to restrict carbohydrates and insulin at your age can be harmful.
Jason's opinion is perfectly valid as just that, but I think it's important to note that it is just an opinion. Dr. Bernstein, the author of the low carb book I follow and who is a type 1 diabetic himself, definitely believes that a low carb diet is not only suitable for children and young people, but is important if they are to avoid the early complications that begin to develop in diabetics even if they are not aware of them until years later.

By the way, I think Travis has covered the three general dietery options for managing diabetes very well. I personally don't go quite as low as some of my fellow diabetics on the Bernstein forum. I have 45 - 50 grams a day, spread over four meals, and that works well for me. Any higher, and I see an increase in my bg readings.

Karen

[Ashtur]

I'm in group 2... generally I shoot for 220-240 g/carbs a day max (6'1" 210 lbs.. moderately active) I'll see my Doc next week and get a new A1C, but to this point, it's kept my fasting sugars hanging right about 100, and my A1C below 5.5 (no meds whatsoever)

[Mandit100]

Hey guys, I just started reading the diabetic forum. My blood sugars are way out of control.. I don't really follow any guideline or diet, I just take the proper amount of insulin to cover what I eat. However, this is no longer working for me. I have bloodsugars ranging from 40-375 in the same day. I take 4 shots of humalog a day, and one pm shot of Lantus.

Any sugestions as to what diet plan would be the easiest to start out on? I'm a carb freak and could live on cereal..

[HeatherP]

Your best bet would be to see a Certified Diabetes Educator/Dietician. Carb counting is what most of us use to control portions and medications, and know how much to inject for a meal.

Carb counting is based on the fact that carbs are what causes our b/s to rise. Once you figure out how many grams of carbs can be "covered" by one unit of insulin (called your insulin to carb ratio) then you should be able to cover your meals and not have such highs. You may also need to change or adjust your basal insulin dose. Once you get the hang of it you'll be surprised at how easy it is. Carb counting has given me tons more variety in my diet. There are other factors to be taken into account, such as fats and proteins, + any adjustment factors based on if your pre-meal b/s is high or low, but it's easy to learn how to do.

At first, you should do as your doc says, but after a few sessions w/ a CDE you should be able to make your own adjustments as needed.

Good luck, and PM me anytime if you like,
HeatherP