T1 Diabetics - Feeding your lows?

Amber82479
Amber82479 Posts: 629 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey there, for you fellow diabetics who are insulin dependent... Do you count the calories you intake for low blood sugar? I usually don't and I'm wondering if I should. I try to shoot for my 1,200 calorie daily goal. Since I never know if I'm going to have a low blood sugar in any given day, I don't know if maybe I should be shooting for 1,000 or 1,100 calories and leave myself the extra for juice intake if my sugar goes low? Do you count the calories you take in for your low blood sugar? Do you try to plan for those extra calories? And if so, and you don't use them, do you just leave it that way, or do you eat the extra calories at the end of the day? What do you use to treat low blood sugar? I use the small Juicy Juice boxes which are about 15 carbs (1 exchange) or the Archer Farms fruit strips which are 12 carbs and 60 calories...

Replies

  • ESVABelle
    ESVABelle Posts: 1,264 Member
    I count them. I don't plan for them. When they happen, I work around them.
  • elsham
    elsham Posts: 549 Member
    I log it, but usually as quick add calories, and I don't stress over it. I know a calorie is a calorie, but I feel like my body NEEDS them, so why stress? I'll usually do a little extra something the next day workout wise though.

    Edit: My body needs the carbs rather, but whatever.
  • wannabthin65
    wannabthin65 Posts: 92 Member
    hi! my name is Diane and i am a T1 diabetic for 38 years now. All of the docs that have treated me just call me brittle. i started really watching what i eat on 5/23 & going to weight watchers. then i started mfp 7/28. since then my insulin has been decreased 2 or 3 times. i have been dropping pretty frequently lately and if it keeps up i'll be calling the md again soon. it may be from the exercise.

    when i do drop, i drink 1/2 cup apple juice (can;t have orange cause of barrets esophagus) i add it to my diary just so i can tell where my cals. stand. i also keep track of carbs because part of my dose is based on carbs-the rest of my dose is based on my blood sugar. there is a formula i have to use and then total the 2 amouunts together. a real PAIN in the butt.

    i add anything i take for low BS to snacks but i don't cover it. i think it needs to be added to diary to keep you from going over
    cal.allowance.

    add me if you like. wishing you the best on this journey...Diane
  • Aid_B
    Aid_B Posts: 427
    No I don't log them. I don't reach that end of the scale too often :bigsmile:
  • JMM_623_
    JMM_623_ Posts: 68 Member
    I have a "Diabetes Sucks" section in my diary. I log all items I consume when my sugar level drops. It helps keep me accountable for the intake of cals.
  • 1953Judith
    1953Judith Posts: 325 Member
    Tracking the "Diabetes Sucks" calories is such a great idea. My husband is Type 2. We stick to a pretty programmed diet. When he has the lows, he uses glocose tabs or juicy juicy boxes on an immediate basis but tends to overtreat (lots of extra calories that way). We are working on 1) eliminating the lows as much as possible by learning some of the triggers and 2) avoiding overtreating the lows (as it gets in the way of weight loss that will help control the diabetes).

    He doesn't use MFP but he does manually keep track of many elements pertaining to his diabetes. "Diabetes Sucks" calorie tracking should be added to the mix.
  • Leanne1795
    Leanne1795 Posts: 186
    I very rarely get a low these days but if I did I would log what I took. :)
  • Amber82479
    Amber82479 Posts: 629 Member
    Thanks for the insight all. I am in love with the idea of the "Diabetes Sucks" category for the diary and I'm going to add it to mine today! Until I started working out and eating right again, I rarely ever had a low blood sugar, but it's more frequent now that my body is using the insulin more efficiently. Until I normalize with this new routine, I'm definitely going to have to plan for feeding my lows. I love that I'm using 24 units of insulin a day now instead of 34 or more. I know the less insulin I can use the more likely I am to drop the weight!!!
  • lilies234
    lilies234 Posts: 1
    I'm new to this fitness forum but have been a diabetic for 17 years. As the years go by I have done nothing but gain weight. I now have a condition called PCOS, that doesnt absorb the body's insulin correctly, attacks the ovaries, and causes my body to exert more testosterone then estrogen which doesnt help with the weight control. As the years have gone by my insulin has increased dramatically. I am on sliding scale with novolog that can consist up to anywhere from 60 to 130 units a day and humalog 40 units twice a day. (thats ridiculous) to top off this whole mess I have started to suffer from seizures due to my severe lows. I need some help and guidance from anyone that is willing to help. (please!!!!) I have an appointment to discuss the insulin pump, anyone have any thoughts on the pump?
  • 1953Judith
    1953Judith Posts: 325 Member
    I recommend following a strict diabetes meal planner until you get things under control. There are some good ones out there. It's a lot of work, but managing those lows is crucial.
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