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Carb counting

L

Lauren2121_

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all,

I am 21 years of age and had T1 around 19 years. My diabetes is well controlled majority of the time and I rarely have any issues.

However, recently I have seen more and more about counting carbs etc. I am just wondering what my best option is. I have never been told anything or spoke to about carb counting. I keep very active, I play rugby and have lost 5st 5lbs in the last four years but i feel if i had more information, and know who would be best to speak to about it that i could shift my final weight and improve my control even further!

Thanks,
Lauren
 
Hi @Lauren2121_ . First off welcome to the forum.
Are you under the NHS and do you have a DSN (diabetic specialist nurse) or consultant that you see on a regular basis? If yes, then you should ask them to put you forward to attend a course designed to teach you carb counting. DAFNE is probably the most well known, but I believe some health trusts run very similar courses with different acronyms.
If you're not within the NHS and don't have a DSN or consultant, then there is a online course available.
It's called BERTIE. Apologies but my lack of computer knowledge lets me down and I have no idea on how to post the actual web site
Hope this gives you somewhere to start. Carb counting is for most T1's essential for good control.
 
Here is the link to the Bertie online course mentioned by @therower - https://www.bertieonline.org.uk

Bertie online is an NHS course along the same lines as DAFNE (dose adjustment for normal eating).

Both Bertie and DAFNE teach carb counting for those on a basal/bolus insulin regime. What insulin are you using @Lauren2121_ ?
 
Thank you,
Yes i am under NHS i moved to London almost a year ago from Northern Ireland and missed an appointment due to illness in which i had to attend a&e but as soon as im back at university I will get in contact with my GP for a referral!
 
Lauren2121_ said:
I take nine units three times a day and twenty six at night. I have always had a set dose.
Click to expand...

Unless your going high or low between meals you must have a good handle on carb counting already @Lauren2121_

Do you mean you wish to move away from fixed doses and not eat a set amount of carbs? If so just register with the Bertie on-line course and all will be explained, it's quite easy to do once you work out your insulin-to-carb ratio's.
 
Lauren2121_ said:
I take nine units three times a day and twenty six at night. I have always had a set dose.
Click to expand...

So is that 9u humalog with breakfast, lunch and dinner? And 26u lantus at night?

What are you eating for breakfast lunch and dinner and what are your 2hr post prandial readings? That's a good starting point for working out your insulin to carb ratio.
 
I usually test every three hours or just before each injection again mainly because I have never known anything different. For breakfast normally 2 wheatabix and a banana, lunch varies but normally a sandwhich or some type of past and for dinner again it varies sometimes.
 
Kind of. I feel quite limited and generally completely aviod eating certain food and some common foods i have never eaten because i worry about the effect it.may have on my insulin.

I would just like to no more about carb counting and feel it may also help me lose the last bit of weight i have been trying to shift.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
Its not every day I have a low and when i do usually no lower than about 4.3 roughly. incases of the odd high its generally no more than 12.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
Hi @Lauren2121_
just want to say you have had some good response -- part of me is thinking "if it ain't broke , don't fix it "

the most important things to do with carb counting are your post meal spikes -- so if those are good with what you are doing then I would carry on ........

so pre meals 4,0 - 7.0 -- 2 hour readings max +2.0 mmol readings and 4 hour readings back within the 4.0 - 7.0 range !!
 

Well the beauty of a basal/bolus insulin regime is the ability to match the insulin to the food you eat, not the other way round. So for weight loss being able to move away from fixed doses/set amount of carbs should help, just register with the on-line course and still put your name down for the DAFNE course too, the DAFNE course is great and you get to meet other type 1's and share experiences with them.
 
A few people have told me that and I wonder if i should just stick to it as normally I aim for 7-8mmol. Part of my problem at the minute is just lately I have stopped eating meat as I dont emjoy the taste and have limited what i eat even further as I generally dont adventure much because I worry to much about whay effect it may have on my BG levels.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
Think I am going to arrange an oppointment with my London team and if they feel its working I will stick with it. Thanks for the help guys much appriaciated!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
hi there Lauren
that puts a slightly different spin on it for me----- I know we are all different but I would not like to think of limiting myself to the foods I eat -- for me it is all about moderation.
I don't eat a vast amount of carbs -- I average around 110- 120 per day currently , but I have been as low as 70 in a day within the past few weeks and as high as 180 too.

I know it is hard sometimes , but controlling your Diabetes is as much about not letting it stop you doing things !! ( like eating what you want ).
 
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