How to bolus against al-dente pasta?

[cz_dave]

My family eats a lot of pasta and I find pasta a bit of a challenge to bolus against. The pasta we cook is typically very "al dente" - almost raw really I read somewhere that this means that one will digest the pasta more slowly. The effect of pasta on my BS would be to go a bit higher than I would like and, in particular, stay higher for longer than I would like. I am still in my honeymoon period, so "high" means 9ish for me right now. But still, I wonder if there is a way of handling pasta well?

 

[tim2000s]

Typically, the issue is less with the pasta and more with the way the pasta is served. Sauces often have higher levels of fat and protein in them, so you end up with the Fish and Chips or Pizza effect, where you get an extended bg raise as a result of the meal and find you need to administer additional insulin over a longer period.

 

[noblehead]

Unfortunately there's no one answer (as we all react differently to foods) and you'll have to find out yourself @cz_dave by trial & error, if you tend to go high postprandial try injecting ahead of your food to reduce the spike and work from there.

 

[cz_dave]

OK, I guess not an easy one. For the time being my solution is to stop eating pasta.

 

[Gemmablower]

We tend to dip after pasta and then rise later so I inject after for my daughter but in the past if she eats pasta in the afternoon she spikes 2 hours after and pretty much stays there so it's an evening meal for us. weird anyone else find different affects at different times of the day for the same meal ?(excluding breakfast)

 

[cz_dave]

I find I can process carbs most easily in the evening.

 

[cz_dave]

I find I can process carbs most easily in the evening.

 

[ChrisMaleType1]

Dave, canI assume that you're weighing your portions? It's more difficult to weigh and count cooked pasta so it's easier if you can weigh before cooking - not easy if you're eating communally unfortunately. I eat pasta very regularly with good BG. Since diagnosis I've tended to reduce my carb portion sizes so I stick to about 50g dry. Cooking al dente does help.

Make sure you consider the sauce as well. Really try and have the pasta with something fatty because that'll reduce the glycaemic effect - olive oil and cheese for example. I personally have a good helping of cheddar cheese with mine. Stick to wholemeal pasta - spaghetti, fusilli and fetuccine (an egg pasta) are known as three of the best. Try this and see if it works

 

[cz_dave]

Thanks, Chris. I will try. Good to hear you can manage your BGs well with pasta. What is the typical peak you have with 50g of pasta?

I see you use a pump. When would you recommend to inject for pasta? I assume not too much in advance of eating since it takes some time to digest?

 

[ChrisMaleType1]

I'd say the peak is usually about 7 or so but I don't wear a cgm. I try to inject about 10 minutes before eating, any longer and I'll usually experience a hypo. That's all assuming my bg is where I want it to be before eating.

Edit: Just tested 1h45 after eating spag. and it's 5.2 now.

 

[cz_dave]

Thanks, Chris. Great help.

 

[cz_dave]

Thanks, Chris. Great help.