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Using jelly babies during exercise..any negative effects?

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simonkit

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I'm a type 1 disgnosed just over 15 months ago and I'm still trying to get back into the mountain walks I used to do before diagnosis. I've read lots of advice and have my levels pretty much under good control with carb counting/bolus injections but the one area where I'm still struggling is during exercise.

Despite reducing pre-exercise bolus significantly I find I need to take in lots of fast acting carb.. typically I get through 1.5 bags of jelly babies during a days walk in the hills/mountains. Whilst the JB's work well I'm a little concerned that all this sugar intake isn't doing me any good, would appreciate some guidance on this

Thanks

Simon
 
I haven't exercised in a while but when I used to instead of drinking water I used to drink sugary squash. Used to prevent drops and hypos.

Indiana x


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simonkit said:
I'm a type 1 disgnosed just over 15 months ago and I'm still trying to get back into the mountain walks I used to do before diagnosis. I've read lots of advice and have my levels pretty much under good control with carb counting/bolus injections but the one area where I'm still struggling is during exercise.

Despite reducing pre-exercise bolus significantly I find I need to take in lots of fast acting carb.. typically I get through 1.5 bags of jelly babies during a days walk in the hills/mountains. Whilst the JB's work well I'm a little concerned that all this sugar intake isn't doing me any good, would appreciate some guidance on this
Click to expand...

I walk a lot too. I top up with jelly beans every 20 minutes or so. I also make sure I have enough insulin on board to get the sugar to where it is needed.
 
With a relatively low intensity exercise like walking I would bet you could get away with much lower GI foods that release their carbs slower adn don't have the risk of blood sugar spikes as well.

I only tend to use those quick acting carbs for more intensive activities.
 
ElyDave said:
With a relatively low intensity exercise like walking I would bet you could get away with much lower GI foods that release their carbs slower adn don't have the risk of blood sugar spikes as well.

I only tend to use those quick acting carbs for more intensive activities.
Click to expand...

I find that lower GI stuff does not work quick enough for the intensity of the hill walking I do. We are all different with the diabetic self-management that works for us as individuals.
 
Personally, I hate jelly babies.
On hill walks I've tried lots of things and still vary a bit but since I found these in decathlon, they have become my favourite.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fruit-energy-gel-raspberry6x30-id_8193074.html

They work well if used in anticipation especially before tackling a long steep climb ie not left too late. If I'm actually hypo then I'll use dextrose to get an immediate response and then possibly follow it up with something else. (say half a lower GI bar)
I liked them because they don't contain as many of the horrors as some other products . They have quite a pleasant and not horrendously sweet taste
.I think they come in other flavours but I like raspberry. The downside is that the tube can't be recapped, you have to put the used tube in a plastic bag or get red gunge over everything it touches.
 
simonkit said:
Despite reducing pre-exercise bolus significantly I find I need to take in lots of fast acting carb.. typically I get through 1.5 bags of jelly babies during a days walk in the hills/mountains.
Click to expand...


If your out for a days walking you also want to be reducing your basal insulin by 50%, as to regards eating JB's, why not as Elydave says opt for snacks such as oat cakes or bananas instead of using sweets, obviously if your dropping low you need fast-acting glucose but by snacking this can prevent them occurring.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone...

Regarding a couple of the points made:

Slow acting carbs basically have no effect whatsoever on my blood sugar levels when hiking up hills/etc, they act way too slowly, I'd be seriously hypo relying on them.. for example I start walking at around 9-10mmol and within 20 minutes I'm on my way back down to 5/6, even less time if the climb is particularly steep. When out hking I can eat 50g carb in sandwich form, have no insulin and see no noticeable rise in my blood sugar levels

I've found having fast acting insulin onboard is a definite no-no too as my levels drop even more quickly.. my experience is that exercise heightens the transfer of glucose so having more insulin on board isn't a good idea for me.

I've tried a couple of the gels.. Clif Bar shot was one, again just too slow acting.. the only thing I've found works quickly enough so far is JB's, glucose tablets and Lucozade

Thanks

Simon
 
Simon, take on board the point I made about basal insulin reduction, I'm sure you'll see far less low's if you reduce it beforehand on days where your hill walking.
 
Nigel was quite right to point out about reducing insulin. I actually have a pump and now reduce insulin to a trickle (0.1u an hour) but often still need to take something as I mentioned above.
Prior to the pump I was advised to reduce my background by 50% when I went on backpacking trips; it helped but as with the pump, didn't eliminate the problem and it is very difficult indeed to adjust it for single days. (and takes away spontaneity)
 
For a long run or ride day I reduce my basal - Levemir, morning only from 3.5 to 1.0 units. Bolus, for a large breakfast of say 50g carbs will be 1.0 unit novorapid. Post exercise bolus is also reduced

For very extensive exercise, such as upcoming 35km fell race and 40 mile race, I'll be reducing all boluses that day, and also evening basal following the event.

Without that, I'd be needing plenty of JBs too.

Don't get me wrong, I also use the gels etc, but by reducing my insulin I need much less and can also use the lower GI and my fat reserves.

Perhaps a bit of experimentation may help here?
 
Jelly babies killed my stomach.. Some substance in them sticks to the filly things on way through. I was not eating a bag and a half on a walk either. I ended up with slow colonic transit and since seeinggastro consultant andusing dolly mixtures instead my stomach has finally corrected itself 18 months later...
This jelly baby trouble with stomach only started after 9 months of eating them. I just wouldnt want anybody else to go through what I have from having their stomach slowed down....


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It is only my experience with my stomach. I'm not coeliac but and have had all tests done on my stomach and bowel.. It was the shapes test that showed I still had 58 outof 60 shapes left in me after 5 days that proved slow colonic transit. At one point the consultant was thinking I would have to see top specialist in London....
All clear now...


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Since tried Clif Bar Shot bloks as an alternative to JBs but no good, nearly hypo'd the first time I used them. Going to try Honey Stinger Energy chews next to see if they work.

I've split my Lantus into 2 now, morning and evening and next time I'm going to try reducing it by 90% at breakfast and taking no bolus either. Looks like I'm going to need to experiment more as it just seems crazy how much carb I'm having to take onboard during hiking. Also made an appointment to see the diabetes team at the hospital to look at pumps, I'm not 100% sure about them to be honest but it sounds like they make life a whole lot easier

Simon
 
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