Ratio when sugar is low-how many carbs to eat

[9903card]

I read several years ago on the internet, that based on your weight ( & other things) that when your blood sugar is low (for that matter, at any time), for every 1 gram of carb you eat, it should raise your blood sugar between 2-6 points. I am 44 years old, 5'8" & weigh 155, for every gram of carbs I eat, it raises my blood sugar 4 points. This is very helpfull when my BS is 55, & I feel like eating 2 gallons of ice cream, I know that I only need to eat 10 grams of something. Do these ratios work for anyone else, or am I the only one that has heard of it (I'm sure I'm not).

[Subby]

I usually only eat 10g, for a normal "mild" hypo that works well to raise me a couple of mmol/l. For a strong hypo or one where excessive insulin is involved, using the rule to take a test in 15 minutes to double check, and if still low have another identical hypo fix, is very valuable. If I specifically know I over-bolused or the like and there is a lot of downward force on my BG, I might take 20g straight off.

I find having certain structured hypo fixes around helps me limit myself from overdoing it. I don't eat sweets or things I really like or find addictive, I have a couple of things I find pleasant or ok to eat, but not addictive. (Small juice boxes, tabs, or glucose powder).

I keep ice-cream, chocolate or whatever, away from hypos if I can. If I really want that stuff at times, better to have it when I am in control, I can bolus for it, and I don't associate it with the feelings of a low. It stops that whole temptation of "having" a low or overtreating, as an excuse to have the sweets etc. The approach works well for me.

[Cluck]

I usually only eat 10g, for a normal "mild" hypo that works well to raise me a couple of mmol/l. For a strong hypo or one where excessive insulin is involved, using the rule to take a test in 15 minutes to double check, and if still low have another identical hypo fix, is very valuable. If I specifically know I over-bolused or the like and there is a lot of downward force on my BG, I might take 20g straight off.

I find having certain structured hypo fixes around helps me limit myself from overdoing it. I don't eat sweets or things I really like or find addictive, I have a couple of things I find pleasant or ok to eat, but not addictive. (Small juice boxes, tabs, or glucose powder).

I keep ice-cream, chocolate or whatever, away from hypos if I can. If I really want that stuff at times, better to have it when I am in control, I can bolus for it, and I don't associate it with the feelings of a low. It stops that whole temptation of "having" a low or overtreating, as an excuse to have the sweets etc. The approach works well for me.

That is great advice Subby. It's too easy to overeat when hypo and I know I've done that in the past with chocolate, ice cream, cookies .. you name it :T

I also have different hypo snacks depending on my BG. If I'm around 60, I'll take a couple of glucose tabs and that will raise by BG about 30 points. That's it.

If I'm lower at around 40, I'll eat something which is at least 12-16g carbs. I also keep a closer eye on my BG as I may need to eat a little more.

I save my chocolate to one piece at night for my nighttime snack as a way to introduce about 4-6 g carbs and some fat to make that BG rise slower and last longer.