Question on cereal

[Lantus]

This is quite a daft problem but it is something I can never get right.

I would typically eat cereal every weekday and no matter what type i eat i can never judge the correct amount of insulin to take. Would most cereals be high in carbs?

I always tend to go with caution when judging levels, but it just never seems enough, and then im quite high for roughly 2hrs.

[HelenM]

Would most cereals be high in carbs?
Yes often about 65% but they vary.
I eat cereal most mornings, usually porridge or muesli. I always weigh my portion , by using the nutrtional info on the packet its then easy to work out the carbs. Don't forget that milk also has some carbs.

[Lantus]

I think that the milk might actually be the problem. I tend to flood the bowl. Will give it a go with less milk see how that helps.

Thanks

[fgummett]

What cereal do you eat and what kind of milk?

[BrianSCohen]

Cereal is often almost totally carbs. Checking with my friend (fitday.com) A cup of cheerios is 23 g of carbs (2.5g fiber), adding a cup of milk is another 12g (74% of calories from carbs) (YMMV). All bran with fiber is 46 g of carbs (but 30g fiber) (56% of calories from carbs). Many consider that fiber can be subtracted out and does not affect blood sugar. In either case, high carbs.

Most cereals are also simple carbs, rather than complex carbs. Complex carbs are typically who foods that need to be broken down to be absorbed by our bodies. Simple carbs are already broken down and go right in. Naturally, the blood sugar response from simple carbs is quick, complex carbs have a longer and blunted response, clearly better.

I I have cereal, I will have oatmeal for breakfast. Steel cut is the best, being a whole grain (albeit cut by steel). If you must have cold cereal, try to choose one that is high in fiber and mostly consists of whole (or nearly) grains providing complex carbs.

In either case, being consistent in the kind, amount of cereal and amount of milk will give you the best chance of matching your insulin to carb intake. In general tho, lower carb intake will be easier to more closely match to insulin dose.

[Scrabblechick]

Also remember to use low-carb milk, if it is available in your area. The Hood people make the Calorie Countdown milk. It's about 3 or 4 carbs per serving. It's a pretty decent substitute for the real thing.

The Glucerna people are supposed to have come out with a breakfast cereal, but I haven't seen the numbers on it. When I see it in the store, I'll post some numbers on the DF.

[princesslinda]

If i'm having cereal, i'll usually go with the "Kashi Go Lean Protein" or 1/2 Go Lean Protein with 1/2 Kashi Heart Healthy brand (its a little like cheerios)with a little cinnamon and splenda sprinkled on top. I second the vote for the Hood Calorie Countdown low carb milk (regular and chocolate)...if its in your area, try it, its quite good.

[shades9323]

I think that the milk might actually be the problem. I tend to flood the bowl. Will give it a go with less milk see how that helps.

Thanks


You gotta measure that milk! 13g of carbs in one cup. I usually eat one cup of cereal with one cup of milk. Measure everything you possibly can when counting carbs. Hard to do in restaurants though!!:T