Hamburgers are evil

[Busy Betty]

I just went out to eat at a hamburger place and my BS is now a mess. I thought I was smart. My starting BS was 94. I took a 2 unit bolus of humalog after I ordered my burger. I had 3 small sips of my husband's shake and then ate 2/3 of my hamburger (with cheese) and many french fries. At the end of the meal, my BS was still the same. About one hour later my BS jumped rapidly to 162, so I took one more unit bolus. Then another hour later, my BS went to 216. Now I was annoyed. :mad: This time instead of a pump bolus, I took an 3 unit insulin pen bolus (I can inject these deeper than the pump. Now, at over 2 and half hours from my evil hamburger my BS continues to rise and is 242. I don't dare take more insulin, because I can drop to 30 in the blink of an eye.

Any suggestions? I am thinking about taking the dogs for a walk, but it is 96 degrees outside and I might get indigestion so close to a big meal. :confused:

[-sammy-]

oo i dunno maybe if you have stairs in your home run up and down them a few times, do something like that.

[poodlebone]

Hamburgers & fries not only have lots of carbs (hamburger buns, anyway, not the actual meat!) and they have even more FAT! Fat slows the digestion of the carbs which is why your BG remained the same for awhile and then started to climb and climb and climb some more. A dual wave or square wave bolus is ideal for a meal like that. For really high fat meals I tryt to figure the carbs and then add in at least 50% more insulin. I do a dual wave, giving maybe 1/3 right away and the rest over time. Depends on what and how much I'm eating. The only way to know is to experiment.

I never, ever do a normal bolus for any restaurant (including fast food) meal. Maybe a Subway sandwich but that's about it!

[adiantum]

I've not had any problem with hamburgers .
I avoid the fast food place that has sugar loaded buns etc & go to the independantly owned hamburger shop.
They will make it to your requirements eg no extra fat on the grill when cooking or no butter.

[jillrapp]

I don't have trouble with the hamburgers.. it's the fries!!! Fries are evil, but oh so tasty!

[xMenace]

I had an Angus Burger at Rotten Ronnies on Saturday, the first time there since ... I can't even remember. It behaved very well, and it wasn't that bad ;)

[ShottleBop]

I avoid buns and fries.

[volleyball]

@?3 burger and all the fries along with some shake and you blame t he burger, the only thing you mentioned you ate that would not do that.
So good burger, bad fries, bad ketchup, bad buns

[Jules49]

I always eat the child size bun. Never eat any fries.

[mortis505]

Lets use the penultimate evil of Fast Food "McDonalds" as an example. My favorite combo is the Double Quarter Pound Cheese Burger and Large Fries. The burger, bun, and other ingredients are approx 40 Carbs. The Large fries are 70. I love fries, but they are pure evil.:evil: For me that's about a 5.5 unit bolus.

[BrianSCohen]

Betty,

You have been a diabetic for a long time. Burger buns have carbs, shakes have serious carbs, and OMG fries!!!!! When you were first diagnosed, you were probably told you could eat anything you wanted, just take your insulin and everything will be ok. Well that is just not true. Measure and restrict your carb intake and make sure your insulin is able to keep your blood sugar under control.

I really encourage you to get on top of things. There are really helpful people here who can be very sympathetic to what you are going through. Take care of yourself, you deserve to live a fulfilling life both for yourself and those around you.

[matingara]

Betty,

You have been a diabetic for a long time. Burger buns have carbs, shakes have serious carbs, and OMG fries!!!!! When you were first diagnosed, you were probably told you could eat anything you wanted, just take your insulin and everything will be ok. Well that is just not true. Measure and restrict your carb intake and make sure your insulin is able to keep your blood sugar under control.

I really encourage you to get on top of things. There are really helpful people here who can be very sympathetic to what you are going through. Take care of yourself, you deserve to live a fulfilling life both for yourself and those around you.

ditto. i now you are getting bombarded with info here - but i would encourage you to search on "Richard Bernstein" and "The Law of Small Numbers" on the internet.

-- Joel.

[fgummett]

Ditto!... why blame the hamburger..? cheese, dressing, bun, fries, "sips" of shake :eek:

[princesslinda]

I eat burgers frequently, just without the bun. As for fries, I steal 2-3 off hubby's plate when I want one. I've not had a milk shake in a couple of years. If you really feel you must have a bun to enjoy your burger, have the bottom of the bun, cut in half and eat 1/2 your burger with the bun and 1/2 without, and throw away the top.

If you're making burgers at home, try the Nature's Own double fiber buns....I do well with them, though they aren't as good as "regular" buns....and i've gotten used to bunless burgers.

[art]

I love a good burger.
I even have a Big Mac once in a while. Like 3 times a year.
But fries??? Ohhh nooooooooooooooooooo.
Cole slaw is my substitute for the fries.

Yes, I eat the bun too.

Art

[-sammy-]

fries are quite evil actually. i had some last night and i tell you now my sugars didnt go down lol.
i really like fries a lot aswell. i think i need to cut down :(

i dont eat burgers unless i have a quorn one with a homemade bread bun at home that is. quite nice.

[Alice]

I eat hamburgers all the time. I don't have a "timing" issue with them, but will sometimes add 1 unit to my normal "bun calculation". (I take 3 units for a medium hamburger) Fries were most likely the culprit with your timing. Plus, don't forget that tomatoes, ketchup & the sip or shake or so all added up to another unit or two...

My local diner knows I love their big steak fries...but they are also nice about my Weight Watcher "preferences"...so I get ONE really pretty steak fry which I can stretch out until I eat the burger. Perfect world? No, but it works for me!

There aren't too many people this on this earth, diabetic or not, that need those greasy fries. Better to eat a baked potato...even with a tiny bit of butter...than fried. Or half a potato...you get the gist. Quantity is the key.

It's those little things that will throw you off.

[kgm0612]

My starting BS was 94. I took a 2 unit bolus of humalog after I ordered my burger. I had 3 small sips of my husband's shake and then ate 2/3 of my hamburger (with cheese) and many french fries.

I'm curious to know what your insulin to carb ratio is, Betty? As soon as I read you took 2 units of Humalog, I knew right off the bat that it wasn't enough.

Here's an example: A McDonald's cheeseburger has 33g of carbs and fries have 29 (small), 48 (med.) 63 (large). So let's say you ate the above at McDonald's, and had a small fry, you consumed 62 grams of carbs and that's not counting the sips of shake you shared with your husband.

My I:C is 1 unit for every 10g of carbs. I would have needed 6.2 units for just the CB and fries. If I eat a burger at a place like Apple Bee's or Outback Steak House, I know the burger is much bigger so I would probably "guesstimate" my carb intake at around 90-100g and bolus 9 or 10 units.

It's all trial & error when you're first starting out. Don't be afraid to try it again, only the next time, up your insulin.

Karen

[MarcS]

That's why I satisfy my craving once a week at In N' Out Burger. Order the "Double-Double Burger Protein & Animal Style", which means wrapped in lettuce (not a bun), and with grilled onions. I love their fries too but I try to avoid them -- they are literally cut right in front of you fresh.

I would say the combination of the shake, and fries added to the elevated levels. I have eaten 2 of these burgers and had no effect, but as soon as I add fries, even a few I spike.

[andypoo]

Lets use the penultimate evil of Fast Food "McDonalds" as an example. My favorite combo is the Double Quarter Pound Cheese Burger and Large Fries. The burger, bun, and other ingredients are approx 40 Carbs. The Large fries are 70. I love fries, but they are pure evil.:evil: For me that's about a 5.5 unit bolus.

do you mean 40 grams? and 70 grams? which would be almost 3 carbs plus about 5 carbs, total 8 carbs.I was always taught that its 15 grams per carb and to give myself a unit of novolog for every carb or 15 grams. Is this how you calculate your carbs?because for me and I've had diabetes for 39 yrs, I take 5 units for every carb and I would've taken between 30 and 40 units of novolog. I know it's a lot more than a lot of others,but I'm also insulin resistant.

[Busy Betty]

Thank you everyone for all the great tips!!!!
I may not be able to adjust perfectly, but I know I can do better.

Thanks again!!!! :)

[Alice]

Betty, how many grams of carbs did you estimate for that meal...looking back?

[Jan B]

do you mean 40 grams? and 70 grams? which would be almost 3 carbs plus about 5 carbs, total 8 carbs.I was always taught that its 15 grams per carb and to give myself a unit of novolog for every carb or 15 grams. Is this how you calculate your carbs?because for me and I've had diabetes for 39 yrs, I take 5 units for every carb and I would've taken between 30 and 40 units of novolog. I know it's a lot more than a lot of others,but I'm also insulin resistant.

Andypoo,

What you are talking about sounds foreign. But if it works - that's what counts!

I think most of us do it this way: 40 grams of carbs in the hamburger and 70 grams in the fries. That's 110 grams of carbs, which, for me (1 unit per 15 carbs) would be 7.3 units of Humalog.

[poppa]

do you mean 40 grams? and 70 grams? which would be almost 3 carbs plus about 5 carbs, total 8 carbs.I was always taught that its 15 grams per carb and to give myself a unit of novolog for every carb or 15 grams. Is this how you calculate your carbs?because for me and I've had diabetes for 39 yrs, I take 5 units for every carb and I would've taken between 30 and 40 units of novolog. I know it's a lot more than a lot of others,but I'm also insulin resistant.


No. Looking up the nutritional label info for McDonalds, a Quarter Pounder Cheese Burger is 199grams by weight and 40grams of carbs...

The Large Fries are 170grams by weight and 70 grams of carbs...

So if you had the Burger and fries you should bolus for 110 grams of carbs. :eek:

[poodlebone]

do you mean 40 grams? and 70 grams? which would be almost 3 carbs plus about 5 carbs, total 8 carbs.I was always taught that its 15 grams per carb and to give myself a unit of novolog for every carb or 15 grams. Is this how you calculate your carbs?because for me and I've had diabetes for 39 yrs, I take 5 units for every carb and I would've taken between 30 and 40 units of novolog. I know it's a lot more than a lot of others,but I'm also insulin resistant.

Sounds like you're working on the exchange (or choice) system. Many people here count the actual grams of carbs and don't worry about how many exchanges or choices that is. Just total it all up and apply your insulin:carb ratio. I think that pretty much everyone on a pump counts carbs in grams.

[Gordonm]

Sounds like you're working on the exchange (or choice) system. Many people here count the actual grams of carbs and don't worry about how many exchanges or choices that is. Just total it all up and apply your insulin:carb ratio. I think that pretty much everyone on a pump counts carbs in grams.

I agree. I was taught this way years ago. This is old school thinking. Count the number of grams of carbs not the exchange amount. This does not work very well anymore. Itook a class on carb counting a few years ago tha treally helped me out. What was taught to us years ago does not work well.

Hamburgers are not the evil one it is the fries. Take the fries and have one or two and get rid of the rest of them. The carbs and fat content on these are terrible. Yes they are tasty but they will shoot your BS up hours later.

[cheryl]

Hamburgers are evil, I rather eat fries....i do fine with fries, and chicken nuggets....I would not add burgers and fries together, it's the fat, all the fat.....I think your numbers are not that bad considering what you ate, with the timing of insulin and all that....

I think if you dualwaved and what not, and kept experimenting you may get it...

But honestly I think hamburgers have way too much fat in them for me to consume....and fries, well, I eat fries out once a year, enjoy most french fries at home....and seriously I don't even worry about ketchup either....I don't think ketchup is going to spike someone to 262 seriously...

cheryl

[mortis505]

do you mean 40 grams? and 70 grams? which would be almost 3 carbs plus about 5 carbs, total 8 carbs.I was always taught that its 15 grams per carb and to give myself a unit of novolog for every carb or 15 grams. Is this how you calculate your carbs?because for me and I've had diabetes for 39 yrs, I take 5 units for every carb and I would've taken between 30 and 40 units of novolog. I know it's a lot more than a lot of others,but I'm also insulin resistant.

40 grams of carbohydrates and 70 grams of carbohydrates. I tried to listen to my DE when DXed about the exchange system. She saw I was getting lost and confused and recommended that I just total up the grams and bolus for that amount. Works like a charm(for me).

YMMV

[Busy Betty]

Looking back, I bet I did eat about 100 Grams of CHOs. My ratio is 15g per 1 unit so I should have taken 6 or 7 units. That amount of insulin really scares me!!!!:eek: My BS can really drop!!

I also left out some information. I also have gastroparesis. So when my BS initially didn't go up, I thought I was O.K. (I thought the fat in the meal would slow my stomach enough that I could just monitor and correct as needed with boluses.)

I do tend to be more careful about trying to prevent lows than highs. I don't have many symptoms of lows until I am about 40.
I am using the CGMS now and it has caught a lot of my lows, so I do need to be a little more aggressive with my control.

In retrospect, maybe a dual wave bolus with half the insulin initially and the rest over 2 hours would have worked. If I had too much delayed gastric emptying, I could have canceled the rest of the bolus. Maybe, even better, I should eat less hamburgers and fries.;)

THANKS!!!!

[matingara]

Maybe, even better, I should eat less hamburgers and fries.;)

you mean "less hamburger BUNS and fries". the hamburger itself isn't the problem.

:D

-- Joel

[volleyball]

you mean "less hamburger BUNS and fries". the hamburger itself isn't the problem.

:D

-- Joel
We all answered the same way. And I though the same thing. But if you got to have all the fixins then the statement is true to have less hamburger and fries.
Just as I would not eat a pizza without crust. Just isn't the same.

[matingara]

Just as I would not eat a pizza without crust. Just isn't the same.

i actually quite enjoy peeling the toppings off pizza when my girls decide upon that dish for the evening repast.

normally, on these evenings, i will have eaten a piece of steak and some salad (or similar meal) and i just grab the topping of one piece of pizza as a snack when cleaning the kitchen. still tastes like pizza to me!!!

-- Joel.

[BrianSCohen]

i actually quite enjoy peeling the toppings off pizza when my girls decide upon that dish for the evening repast.


Occasionally, I will get pressured to go out with non-diabetics friends for pizza. I can live it up just one time, right? I will gently remind them that I don't eat crust and ask if we are splitting the bill. I won't go unless we split the bill. Oh, and by the way, I'm ordering two large pizzas for myself, and I am going to just eat the toppings. Somehow, we always choose another restaurant. I don't know why.

[Noturningback]

Occasionally, I will get pressured to go out with non-diabetics friends for pizza. I can live it up just one time, right? I will gently remind them that I don't eat crust and ask if we are splitting the bill. I won't go unless we split the bill. Oh, and by the way, I'm ordering two large pizzas for myself, and I am going to just eat the toppings. Somehow, we always choose another restaurant. I don't know why.


:eating: :stupid1: :geezmate: LMAO

[Drucifer]

Hamburgers are evil There is nothing wrong with a good hamburger. It was that bun, fries and shake that spiked your numbers.

Drew
T2 since '91