Type 1 Diabetes on a diet

Pigzels
Pigzels Posts: 1
edited November 11 in Food and Nutrition
So , I have type 1 diabetes and I tend to go low rather often. When my blood sugar is low i have to treat it with both sugar and long acting carbs. Should these calories count for my total or are they different because they get used up so quickly?

Replies

  • abatonfan
    abatonfan Posts: 1,120 Member
    Hi! I'm also a type 1 diabetic. I count my hypoglycemia treatment as part of my calorie goal. The body does not recognize calories used to treat hypoglycemia, calories used as a meal, etc, and any excess of calories will result in weight gain.

    If I go low a ton during a day (like today -curse female hormones increasing my insulin sensitivity even after trying to fight it with decreases in basal), I simply log and adjust my calories the rest of the week if I end up going over my maintenance calories because of it.

    If you are going low often, have you considered talking to your endo in order to see if your insulin dosage needs lowered?
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    These calories count because if they puts you in a calorie surplus, you'll gain weight.

    I am a chronic hypoglycemic and like abatonfan, count any treatment as part of my calorie goal.
  • Beautifulreflections
    Beautifulreflections Posts: 86 Member
    Calories in is calories in. I agree with abatonfan. If you are lucky enough to be using a pump I'd have the endo start with basal rates and carb ratio. If your doing shots with long acting NPH I would also have your endo look at your diary.
  • edf620
    edf620 Posts: 7
    HIIII I'm type one too! Like poster above said- make sure your basal levels are right. You should not be going low too often. Also my endo has me treating lows with glucose tabs, which are about 5 g carbs/15 cal/tab, I take 3 for a low. That way it's easier to not overtreat. I would say that weight loss with type one/taking insulin is tougher, but since I've been dieting, I've lowered my total units from 42 (eating about 2000 cal a day) to about 23 (eating 1200 cal a day). Plus I've been exercising a lot so that make a big diff too.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Type II in remission now. I'm just jumping in to say how much I admire you guys for walking the tightrope every day.

    Yeah, exercise is great.
  • alessipantz
    alessipantz Posts: 2
    Hey! I'm also a type one diabetic for just under 10 years now.
    The calories consumed to treat low blood sugar should most definitely be counted towards your total.
    It is this that makes losing weight for me so difficult!
    Snacking before and after the gym to avoid lows is defeating the purpose of actually going to the gym!
    I'm hoping to work with a dietition within the next couple months to help figure out a proper meal plan
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