[derf]

So since my diagnosis earlier this month, I've been experimenting with what spikes my blood sugar and what doesn't. I've been reluctant to eat out until I can classify which types of foods to avoid.

However, it's darn near impossible to pass up free pizza. And a buffet at that.

Well, being that I'm now more health conscious, I did hit the salad bar at the buffet so I wouldn't completely pig out on pizza. And I did skip the coke machine, opting for water instead. But I did get 3 slices of pizza.

For a baseline, I tested my glucose this morning at 177. This afternoon, 2 hours after the pizza, I'm only at 192. That's only 15 points. That would hardly break me out of normal if I was already there. (For comparison, my first reading just 2 weeks ago was 393.)

But I realized that this means I don't have to cut pizza out of my diet.

I can eat pizza!

Sure, I still can't pig out and should stick with thin crust but...



I CAN EAT PIZZA!!!!

[princesslinda]

Let me throw something out for you to think about. What if, like many of us, you tend to run higher in the mornings...you were 177...did you test your pre-lunch #s?....you could have been at 120 pre-lunch...which would be a 72 point rise after pizza. Now, i'm not saying this is true for you...but if you didn't check your blood sugar PRIOR to eating the pizza as well as after, you really don't know just how much you truly spiked.

When testing a new food, I always do a pre-meal test, a 1 hr after eating test, a 2 hr after eating test...and sometimes a 3 hr, as certain foods take longer to cause a spike. I can be at 90 pre-meal, have ONE slice of pizza and be at 150 two hrs after-wards (regular crust/pepperoni from Papa Johns).

Just something to consider....you may, in fact, be able to tolerate pizza, as we are all so very different in our carb tolerances.

[derf]

Oh sure. Crush my dreams...






Yeah, I should test a little more thoroughly. But considering how most days after lunch I'm up anywhere from 10-70 points from the morning, I thought this was a good sign.

Though one thing to consider. I had two sausage and egg taquitos with cheese from Whataburger this morning and apple slices with peanut butter for a snack around 10. I would have thought those would spike my blood sugar a little more.

Oh, and I'm going on 2.5 weeks of my Metformin and I'm up to my full dose (3x500mg in the morning) now.

All things considered, I think this is still good news. Though I will test more thoroughly to confirm.

[princesslinda]

Derf...i'm really NOT trying to "suck the joy" from your pizza experience . I think you're doing VERY well, esp. in such a short time. The closer your pre and post meal #s are, the better your control. Its a continuous learning experience for me...and I was passing on some of that "wisedom" that I had to learn the hard way! Don't get discouraged....you're doing fine!

BTW, the protein, fat and fiber in your tacquito b/fast and apple snack probably slowed your digestion and helped you keep from spiking. I usually have bacon/eggs for b/fast...and if I eat fruit, i'll have a protein with it as well (usually cheese, but p/butter would do pretty much the same thing).

[derf]

Oh, I know you're not trying to "suck the joy" out of my day. That's why I added the to show you I was pulling your leg with my first line. (by the way, for future reference you'll find that not taking me seriously all the time is probably the best course of action. And watch the smileys. I try to use them to make sure people understand I'm kidding around.)

What's really encouraging isn't so much that my numbers are coming down nicely, I still haven't gotten into an exercise routine yet so as I do, I'll probably do even better.

Even if pizza spikes my blood sugar, it's not as severe as some other foods so I can at least enjoy it sparingly. And that's better than what I had to do about my Dr Pepper addiction. I bet that was my single largest contributor to my sugar spikes. But it is no more. I haven't had a single coke of any kind since my diagnosis.

So now instead of going to the vending machine for my afternoon snack, I break out the carrot sticks with light ranch dressing. But cheese and other fruit does sound good too.

[princesslinda]

You're a better man than me....I STILL don't break out the carrot sticks and ranch dressing!

I know what you mean about certain foods being a weakness. While I wasn't big into soft drinks....I REALLY miss "Twinkies." Guess not giving in to those temptations are what "builds character."

Give Diet Dr. Pepper a try....its not bad, esp. over lots of ice...same with Diet Mtn Dew...amazing what we can get use to. I'm still holding out for that low-carb sugar free Twinkie though!

[MarcS]

I love Diet Dr. Pepper, the few times I drink anything carbonated that is usually my drink of choice. I tend to stick to unsweetened no-caffeine ice teas, or just water. But as far as pizza goes I have it once a week, and have worked it into my work out routine. I try to limit it to just 2 slices, and I work out after I eat (I let it digest a bit).

[Gary_W]

Hi Derf,

I'll try and suck the joy as well, but I'm T1 and manage it differently so you can ignore me

Pizza is notorious among T1's for its weird characteristics when absorbing. If you ate 'regular' bread and tested at hour 2, that would be reasonable. Pizza throws the rule book out as all the fat and cheese slow it down. Some of us insulin abusers have to inject a bit up front and then a bit an hour or two later because the rise with pizza can be several hours after the fact; the two hour numbers aren't too bad for the reasons outlined above and if you inject all of the insulin up front it is actually possible to go hypo because the insulin works ahead of the food. Chinese and (restaurant style) Indian food can also be good for this. Hopefully, you can get away with your pizzas but next time test immediately prior (as Linda says) but also have a look at your blood 4 or 5 hours after.

I was very bad a few days ago and had an entire 'medium' pizza (6 slices). Around 25g of carbs per slice, and it was in the evening. I put in a grand total of 12u of insulin (split) and got away with it very well.

Gary

[David_S]

I don't do restaurant pizza.. we just have it at home on the low carb tortillas.. a dinner plate size one is 7 carbs.. a huge diff. Sometimes we fry them in olive oil.. and stack two with cheese in between.. very good.. or put taco filling, chicken , steak in one and fry it up folded over.. very good.

[kgm0612]

The next time you eat pizza, derf, try testing at the one, two, three & four hour mark. I am willing to bet you were higher than 192 at the three hour mark.

I'm a pumper and I don't do all that well with pizza. Same with Chinese food. But hey.......you have to treat yourself once in awhile! LOL

Karen

[Kim_in_TN]

I used to be a pizza addict! I could put away 5 or 6 slices at one point! Now we generally get it once each weekend and I eat only 2 slices AND I cut off the big crust at the end! My numbers are fine afterwards! You could try not only ordering thin crust but also cutting the edge crust off too! That would leave just a tiny thin bit underneath to hold it all together!

[derf]

Well, thanks everyone for suggesting I test at a longer interval.

I guess pizza is out for me.

I tested 166 just before I opened the box this time.

4 hours later, I'm at 271

Oh well. It was good while it lasted.

[matingara]

when there is pizza in the house (which there sometimes is) i will eat other food.

HOWEVER, that doesn't stop me from taking one of the pieces of pizza and letting it cool a tad. then i grab the topping and pull it off and eat JUST the topping. still tastes as good as pizza (nearly) and can be low carb in the case of, say, a pepperoni pizza.



-- Joel.

[kgm0612]

I forgot to mention in my previous post. I do well with THIN crust pizza, whether it's a frozen one I picked up at the grocery store or one of my favorites from Pizzeria Uno or Panera Bread.

[derf]

I like the idea of just eating the toppings even though it was thin crust. That's what you get the pizza for anyway.

Good news is that I was back down to 140 this morning. So I guess my Metformin is really starting to work. So I've got that going for me, which is nice...