Carb and Protein counting on insulin and low carb

[EllieM]

I know that very low carbers have to count protein as well as carbs, but not sure how low you have to go for this to be relevant?

Does this also apply to T2ers ? (on or off insulin?)

Curious because as a T1 on approx 90g of carbs a day I haven't been counting proteins (maybe I should?) but am struggling with insulin resistance at certain times of day (in particular the dawn phenomena is killing my morning blood sugars). I am considering going lower for a while to see if it helps but not sure what to do about protein....

Any thoughts/experiences gratefully received.

 

[LooperCat]

Just a quickie as I’m about to go out - I dose for certain protein (lean fish and seafood) at half the ratio I use for carbs - so one unit for 20g protein, but extended over four hours. I don’t need to insulinate for fatty fish, eggs or plant protein (unless it’s pea protein powder), but many do. It’s a case of experimenting, really - lots of people find they need different doses and timings for different protein sources.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @EllieM,
Compared to @Mel dCP, I tend to count 50% of all protein intake as carbs. This is a challenge with nuts as they contain protein and various amounts of carbs.
I am still sorting out if i really need all proteins to be counted.
I tend to delay 75 % or so of my total bolus insulin dose ( Novorapid) dose by one hour.
Not sure at what point, at what carb intake one might start including a % of protein in the carb count but if one is following Dr Bernstein's advice it seems to be at below the 40 g carbs per day or so for TIDs.
As far as i know it is assumed T2Ds produce enough insulin that protein is not counted but if weight reduction is a major issue the calories of protein/fat might be reduced but that is a guess.
On less than 30 g total carbs i find i tend to be mildly ketotic and i did go through the keto flu and relied on dietdoctor.com to deal with that. In perticulr, keeping hydrated and increasing salt and magnesium intake.
Hypos if any tend to be light once one has reduced insulin to match carb intake.
I found it was easier to keep in ketosis by limiting food to 2 meals per day. That way one bolus dose of insulin and food did not seem to get tangled up with the next.
It all takes getting used to a a hypo or splurge on protein can lead to higher than satisfactory bsls. When that happens i feel very hungry, as though hypo, at say 8 mmol/l.
Fortunately that is rare now.
Best Wishes on your deliberations !!