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Keto diet on Insulin

C

Cymbidium

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi,
I have been trying to follow a low carb diet while on Insulin. I have been on Insulin for 34 years. I cannot seem to get the correct ratio..I either have lows if I inject [even reduced doses ] or highs . Ive been told that diabetics on insulin should not go into keto-acidosis?. My whole regimen has been based around carbs. My carb : Insulin ratio is 10:1 , but does change at times according to various influences. Can anyone advise?. Im not a great meat eater, and want to lose about 10lbs.
Many thanks
Cymbidium
 
As I’m diet controlled I can’t advise/share personal opinion, but this website should give you some pointers. It’s aimed at type 1s, but obviously is in the context of insulin use: https://type1keto.com/
 
Hi @Cymbidium
There are some people with Type 1 who chose to manage their diabetes with insulin and low carb.
I tried it and, like you found the insulin to carb ratio a nightmare. The reason for this is when eating few carbs, we need to consider insulin to protein ratios too. For me, these ratios were complex because there are multiple ratios. I eat no meat but I eat fish and dairy and eggs. I found the insulin to protein ratio is different for nuts and cheese and eggs and prawn and salmon and ... It was just too much for me to keep track of so I went back to a normal/lower carb diet.
Unfortunately, I cannot advise around weight loss maybe there are others with Type 1 who can help.
Regarding ketoacidosis, this s a concern for Type 1 as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is fatal. This usually occurs when blood sugar levels are high as well as Ketones.
 
I have been on a reduced carb diet for two months and have lost 1 stone. I am type 1. I eat small amounts of carbs and take less insulin because of that, you need to know how to adjust it. Even my overnight long acting insulin has reduced from 22 to 17, as I was not needing as much. My blood glucose readings can still fluctuate, but no different to normal for me. I havent actually had ketones, I imagine just reduced insulin and calories lost me the weight.
 
Hi, I have been keto for two months on insulin, I am also 10:1

I have found it so easy but I eat a diet based on meat, I’m on 6 units am 6 units pm levemir, I keep meals under or about 10g of carb so never inject more than 1 unit for a meal, this has massively reduced my spikes, both up and down.

I have been mostly skipping breakfast, a single cheddar or two during work if I get hungry, dinner at night, strawberries or jelly and cream for afters, dietician was concerned and confused by my 100% in target.

How low carb are you going? I’ve been reading here that you have to also be in calorie deficit? I have no idea what protein ratio I am, I adjust with a unit if I’m going towards top of green and have started injecting 2 units on waking, this has got rid of the dawn phenomenon I’ve been suffering from for ever.

Sorry if this isn’t helpful, just saying it’s not impossible, or I’m just lucky? Best wishes
 
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