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exercise and food

J

jdonline

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Hi folks.

As a 56 year old diabetic (type 2 since 2003), I struggle to find information on what I should eat before, during and after reasonably vigorous exercise, e.g. a 30 mile bike ride round the hills of Derbyshire. In pre diabetic days a Mars bar or two and a bottle of Lucasade would have given me energy, but presumably that is not acceptable now. Does anyone know of a source of information (or have the answer)? Steve Redgrave and others show that it is possible to participate in serious sport as a diabetic. :?
 
I walk, not as far as you ride and then don't snack. I eat at normal meal time. If however, I were to have eally low BG after the exercise, I would eat something with a low GI, such as an apple.
 
thanks for the reply, but it misses the point. Your method will work at low levels of exercise, but my question relates to the situation when you are working at a level where you MUST take fuel on board to keep going. For example, what would be the strategy for a diabetic marathon runner?
 
Hi jdonline,

It's certainly not easy to maintain normal blood sugars both before and after exercise. I've read of some type 1's who begin a marathon at 10mmol/l, which to me is crazy. That's dangerously high, and if the exercise will bring it down, you've used too much insulin. On the other hand, if you start at a non-diabetic bs, do you risk a hypo half an hour later?
I've done marathons and long distance bike runs (70-80miles) and the best strategy to my mind is to start with a normal blood sugar. And carry a packet of dextrosol glucose tablets!
I think this method rather relies on using low doses of insulin (I eat a low-carb diet) which reduces the risk of hypoglcemia greatly.
The beauty of the glucose tablet approach is that you can raise your bs quickly, and by a controlled amount. 1 tablet will typically raise my bs by around 1 mmol/l, depending on the length and intensity of the exercise.
Staying up to watch the lovely Paula tonight, by the way. Go, girl!

All the best,

fergus
 
hi

i am glued to the tv - what a weekend!

Shame about paula.

i have a few diabetics who run the London every year. We have tried to maintain normal bs or just above but both have an early breakfast and test . We have found they both needed 20 -40 g CHO an hour before the start and they have then used a sports drink and water dyring the race. TBH we tried this out on several long runs first. It really is a bit of trial and error at first.
But def no running if bs under 5 ! One had a hypo on the first long race he did but I def think adjusting insulin may help too.

Steve Redgrave needed to consume 6000plus calories a day so low carb was not an option.
 
I've discovered that my BS seems to shoot up during vigorous exercise,I.e working! Probably explains why my Hba1c is still 6.7 even though my morning BS is usually in the 5's.
 
I'm sure it would be possible to find out what Steve Redgrave does eat. I did read he's on 7 injections a day.
 
he was eating alot of calories from carbs - he would never have been to sustain that level of activity . They train 5-7 hours a day at that level - there are very few athletes who can sustain that level of activity without carbs and having worked with alot of elite athletes in different sports can see the effects of glycogen depletion.

He was on multiple injections.
 
Someone very brave needs to tell him to start cutting back on the carbs now he's out of the boat, Ally. He's carrying a fair bit of ballast around the mid-ships these days!

My jaw dropped when I saw what Michael Phelps was putting away on a daily basis - 12,000 calories, most of which seemed to come from white bread sandwiches, white pasta, pizza and lucozade! He HAS to swim that fast, otherwise he'd sink!

I predict he'll also be diagnosed with diabetes before he hits 30!

All the best,

fergus
 
Yes, I saw that too, Fergus. Unbelievable the amount he tucks away isn't it? I know he burns it all off again......swimming like a dolphin...... but I also thought about what damage he might be doing to his body eating so many carbs.
 
He will be monitored - u have to realise they are not normal human beings!

i have worked with olympic swimmers and they need carbs - its end of story . however I wouldnt have been encouraging the junk that was implied he eats - we do not know for sure.i think it has been slightly exaggerated - when he stops he will have to taper it down,. I listened to sharon Davies saying the same! Here is an example of a swimmer I worked with in Athens 800g CHo and if i remember rightly around 180g protein. If they do not consume this they cannot build muscle - they use protein for energy. Most swimmers could not train on a stonach full of just protein. This is monitored all the time .

Steve redgrave has good control - his probelm is he isnt doing as much exercise.
 
Hi Ally.
Nice to have your input about sport and carbs, but the information you are giving us on named sports men and women, is that common knowledge? No breaking any confidences perchance?

wiflib
 
no - I dont work with Steve Redgrave and its on the net . The swimmer is real but I would not tell you who he or she is but the point I am trying to make is that these athletes have to eat carbs so you cannot compare them to us mortals. They have the best medical care too so are constantly screened. All our athletes have to have a medical prior to the olympics too.

I would never reveal names - that is part of the HPC code .

When you have those who need alot of carbs you do have to be a little inventive because often they are eating on the hoof. I have trailed behind squads in competitions working out a stategy for food ! Even the sports that you may see as glam such as archery and bowls take their food intakes very seriously. I must admit it is a side to my job I love but think it goes hand in hand with health , diabetes and wt management.

They are doing rather well and I am getting no work done glued to the tv!
 
eddie - he uses a lot of sports drinks etc - so no fibre. I think those who have no expereince in this field find it hard to imagine that anyone can consume so much. I think the press have over exxagerated - now there is a suprise. They quoted me last week in a paper saying the chinese diver had an eating disorder - I dint say that at all!
 
My brother was a rower of an earlier generation than Regrave.(Mexico Olympics) I don't remember what he ate, but I do know that now in his 50s, he's 2 stone lighter than he was.( 15 stones at 6feet 9) He's not diabetic, despite having similar genes to me.
 
ally5555 said:
I think the press have over exxagerated - now there is a suprise. They quoted me last week in a paper saying the chinese diver had an eating disorder - I dint say that at all!
Click to expand...
Hi Ally,
Your experience reminds me of the old Fleet Street adage - "never let the truth get in the way of a good story"!!
 
I regularly play tennis for 1/2 to 2 hours. I check my BS before & between sets. I eat a dried apricot if my BS falls below 5. It will normally be above 6 next time.
 
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