Carnivore Diet

CassieJayneT1 said:

For those following a carnivore diet, How do you Inject insulin for the protein? And how much does the high amount of protein affect your BG?
Thanks

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NoCrbs4Me said:

I don't inject insulin, but my understanding is that in non-diabetics protein induces an insulin response at about half that induced by carbs. So 50 g of protein would cause the pancreas to produce about the same amount of insulin as 25 g of carbs would.

I don't think I'd say that the amount of protein I eat is high. My diet is high fat rather than high protein.

"Protein has a minimal effect on blood glucose levels with adequate insulin. However, with insulin deficiency, gluconeogenesis proceeds rapidly and contributes to an elevated blood glucose level. With adequate insulin, the blood glucose response in persons with diabetes would be expected to be similar to the blood glucose response in persons without diabetes." From:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9416027

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NoCrbs4Me said:

I don't inject insulin, but my understanding is that in non-diabetics protein induces an insulin response at about half that induced by carbs. So 50 g of protein would cause the pancreas to produce about the same amount of insulin as 25 g of carbs would.

I don't think I'd say that the amount of protein I eat is high. My diet is high fat rather than high protein.

"Protein has a minimal effect on blood glucose levels with adequate insulin. However, with insulin deficiency, gluconeogenesis proceeds rapidly and contributes to an elevated blood glucose level. With adequate insulin, the blood glucose response in persons with diabetes would be expected to be similar to the blood glucose response in persons without diabetes."

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CassieJayneT1 said:

Thanks! That's the ratio I've been working to however, my BG spikes a few hours after eating - perhaps a response to the protein? Have you come across people splitting their insulin dose to manage this?
It's a high fat diet, for sure, I guess I meant that it's such an increase in protein for me.

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CassieJayneT1 said:

Thanks! That's the ratio I've been working to however, my BG spikes a few hours after eating - perhaps a response to the protein? Have you come across people splitting their insulin dose to manage this?
It's a high fat diet, for sure, I guess I meant that it's such an increase in protein for me.

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NoCrbs4Me said:

I wish I had some advice, but I don't. Hopefully someone else can respond to your question.

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bulkbiker said:

Are you saying that you are spiking later than anticipated? There are a few Type 1's here who report having lower but extended spikes when they up their fat intakes @Mel dCP can you give any insight I know you low carb rather than carnivore but maybe similar..?

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Mel dCP said:

If I eat prawns and white fish, I get a long, slow rise, but not with a fatty fish like salmon or sardines, eggs or plant protein. Handily, the rise and tailoff pretty much matches the profile of Novorapid (for me, at least), so I inject (not always) for the protein content at half the amount I would for carbs. I need to do it even if I’m eating them with loads of fat, it’s a bit odd. Perhaps they are more easy for the body to break down? No idea. We only get around 80% of the benefit of plant protein, btw - it’s not utilised as efficiently as animal protein.

As an example, I had a protein shake for lunch, comprising 26g pea protein - no insulin, BG was 0.9mmol lower 2 hours later.
For dinner I had 150g king prawns with avocado and mayonnaise, 22g protein in total, no insulin (because I was at the bottom of my range when I ate) and two hours later it had risen by 1.1mmol. I have been pretty sedentary all day, and my ratios are the same for both meals.

One of my (not on here) online keto T1 chums has to bolus for any kind of protein, but she is massively insulin resistant on top, with ratios ten times what mine are. She takes more for a couple of boiled eggs than I do in a day!

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CassieJayneT1 said:

Thanks for replying. Perhaps I should change insulin, I'm on Humalog and think that it peaks too quickly. I've been T1 for 20 years but have been coasting/ignoring for so long, I feel like I'm starting from scratch!

I dream of flat BGs like that - one day!

I think I've developed some insulin resistance too - the DAFNE course ruined me!

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ringi said:

Remember that the older (and hence cheaper for NHS) inslins gives a slower response. And there is nothing stopping someone using a different insulin for carb free meals then they use for corrections.

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Mel dCP said:

Some low carb T1s like Actrapid to deal with protein, but I’ve found Novorapid matches it well enough - it’s a bit fast for some people. I know how you feel about starting afresh - I’ve been T1 for 20 years too, and have only really got to grips with it this year. Hate to think what damage I’ve done, but no point dwelling on it, can’t change the past. Only the present and the future!

DAFNE didn’t do me much good either, apart from learning to count the carbs. Unfortunately I ate them all... I’m quite resistant in the mornings - to everything, not just insulin

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ringi said:

Remember that the older (and hence cheaper for NHS) inslins gives a slower response. And there is nothing stopping someone using a different insulin for carb free meals then they use for corrections.

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