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12 mile hike

Andyneored5

Andyneored5

Well-Known Member
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Hey, I'm slightly worried, I'm going for a 12 mile hike around Mam Tor in Sheffield uk, I'm been asking what to take with me and the people I'm going with are saying mars bars and energy drinks, etc. is there anything that would give me the same boost I'm diabetic (type2).


Andy
 
Andy,

my opinion is coming from the point of view of an endurance athlete, I know very little about type 2 diabetes I'm afraid.

I would look for a mix of simple and complex carbs, and also over that distance/time a bit of protein as well. You'll not be exercising at high intensity, so after about 90min-2hrs you should be going into more of a fat-burning regime anyway, but you still need to keep some circulating blood sugar to make that mechanism work. To be honest most people have plenty of fat reserves to be able to walk that distance without eating anything, they'll just be happier if they do.

My favourites through experience are NAKD bars (dates, nuts, oats, raisins), 9-bars (Nuts, seeds, honey) and peanut butter on wholemeal toast or a bagel. I'm not sure how you tolerate malt loaf, but that's always another good one as it has a good supply of carbs, but low sugars so it's absorbed a bit more slowly again.

The other thing you could do is make your own trail mix, but go heavier on the nuts and cut back on the raisins and dried fruit.

And don't forget drink

Dave
 
Andy it also depends on what meds you are on - if diet controlled only then complex carbs little and often so cereal bars are good.

If on meds that can cause hypo like gliclazide then more glucose might berequired and regular testing say once every hour or so will keep you safe and of course lots of fluids.


Diagnosed Type II 1998 1 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin - HbA1c - 48 mmol/mol
 
If you are taking the complex carbs in little and often, do you/should you need the glucose?

Surely that is the point of regulating your blood sugar correctly rather than waiting for it to crash and needoing to spike with high GI?

If you are sensitive to sugars in terms of rapid spikes in blood sugar, read the back of the cereal bar packets carefully, a lot of them have sugar syrups in them to bind the ingredients. The smaller 9-bars are 10g carbs (read the back of one yesterday)
 
If you are on meds that cause hypos you may need glucose, if you are not then complex carbs should be ok

Because I am on gliclazide I need more glucose to maintain sufficient blood sugar level if I am doing a prolonged period of exercise like a 12 mike walk


Diagnosed Type II 1998 1 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin - HbA1c - 48 mmol/mol
 
I'm on two metformin daily, I have cut out all sweets ie choc bars, breakfast bars. Probably gone to far now cause I had two lows last week (sweats,felt weak,needed to eat) I'm dieting also, a dietitian is suppose to be contacting me. I found out I had diabetes about 2-3 month ago and have cut out all sweet stuff altogether. That's why I'm unsure of eating breakfast bars. I don't take my own bloods, doc wouldn't give me a machine so go to the hospital.


Andy
 
Andy
I walk regularly, usually not as far as that, but I am a T2. I carry a bottle of water with a few drops of lemon in. If you only use metformin, you should't need any carbs with you, but a pack of glucotabs in your pocket won't hurt. You shouldn't need them. More important are your shoes and socks. It's essential they fit well and support the feet. If your feet get hot, carry a spare pair of GOOD socks with you.
Only if you use a medicine which can cause hypo do you need emergency supplies. In that case make sure you tell a sensible fellow walker where they are. metformin only, won't need them. Remember hypo is a function of medication more often than of your diabetes. 12 miles isn't all that far. If you are reasonably fit, you won't have any difficulties.
Hana
Ps Breakfast bars are not a good thing. Scrambled eggs for breakfast is much better.
 
Depends on what the hike is like but I wouldn't have thought 12 miles should need anything apart from water.
It's going to be maybe 4 hours and won't be too strenuous (hopefully)?

Don't think sugar loaded things would be needed for this.
People like to plan with this sort of thing to pretend they are near their limits but it's usually not needed.
Just take something slow release in case you feel hungry or want to join in the sugar breaks.
 
I agree if you are only on metformin then plenty of water and some nuts to snack on a handful each hour and you will be fine

Almond or walnuts are great and stay away from glucose in any form would be wise as I agree you should not go so low as to need any

Enjoy


Diagnosed Type II 1998 1 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin - HbA1c - 48 mmol/mol
 
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