Carb Counting

[littlebuddy]

Hey all,

Is anyone out there really good a carb counting? It seems everytime I eat out I don't take enough insulin (Novorapid) to cover the meal I just had. For example on Saturday I went to a pretty swanky buffet, and I told myself that I am eating low carbs. I followed my plan to the tee, all I had carb wise was 2 wedges of dragonfruit. Now I don't know exactly how many carbs dragonfruit has, but it is not sweet so I know there is very little sugar. In terms of how much insulin I took it was only 4 units of Rapid, and I thought I was taking too much. One hour later I had BG of 169. I realize that it is not super high but 100 is ideal. My second mistake was having a burger and fries at Chili's. I know fries are loaded with carbs and so is the white bread on the burger. After this meal I took 14 units of Rapid, and an hour later I had BG of 257. I guess what I'd like to know is how do all you guys and gals out there count carbs when eating out at restaurants, friends houses, or anywhere for that matter. Maybe there's a good book you could recommend.

Thanks everyone
littlebuddy

[JediSkipdogg]

When eating out good luck. The hardest part is it will never be the same. You can go to McDonalds and get that one employee that will fill the large fry box exactly, then you go another time and get the employee that will stuff it full. And that can make a difference of as much as 15 carbs right there.

It applies everywhere you go. Pretty much when you eat out you have to do your blood test, do your carb counting and give insulin as needed, then test 2 hours later. I eat out alot, alot 10 times a week (yes, I know I'll be dead at 45, lol) and I've gotten the hang of it. But what applies at one place may not apply another another. Like Applebees fries are different from Wendy's which are different from McDonalds. And depending on your carb ratio and correction factor, it can make a large difference.

[Cinnabon]

Hey there...
Well Im really into counting, not perfection, but a good estimator most of the time. I will tell you that Dragon fruit is about 23 carbs for a medium (11.6 oz).
a burger and fries at Chili's
Now CHili burgers run anywhere from 54-78 carbs.
The best lil book for me is Calorie, Fat & Carb , it has pretty much everything, incliuding restaurants.
I think you just took too little to cover all that you ate.

Do you know your insulin/ carb ratio?

[littlebuddy]

My insulin to carb ratio is 1 unit of Novorapid covers 18 units of my bloodglucose. I'm not sure if that answers your question.

littlebuddy

[camjen1]

When I'm out I usually guess how many carbs and take a correction bolus if needed. I know someone who thinks if you have to do a correction then you are far from knowing how to control your diabetes.:eviltongu I feel one should take as many correction boluses as needed.

Maybe lowering your insulin to carb ratio will help out. Such as instead of 1:18 try 1:15. I was started at 1:15 for all meals but after some time my lunch and dinner changed and now sit at a 1:12. :top:

[am1977]

I used to think I was pretty adept at carb counting...now I'm not so sure :confused: . It seems more often than not, I'm off. So obviously something is not right. For me, I don't know if buying a book of complete nutrition facts (fat, cals, and carbs) would help. Most products have nutrition labels and I am very used to looking at them. I think my problem lies more in underestimating what I am eating. I rather overestimate than under, but lately I've been doing the latter.

Also, I'm sure my basal rate needs to be adjusted some, esp. my night basals. I'm always high in the eveing to right before bed. I hate being high :frown:

[Cinnabon]

It seems like it is a bit off for you and thats why you are running high. If not, try to carb count as much as possible for at least a day and test it, just to see if you are ok with it still. Diabetes is a wonderful mystery... LOL
YOu might want to consider adjusting that ratio.