Protein effect on blood glucose

[rosserk]

Hi, does anyone know why 2 lamb chops and two pork sausages both zero carbs would raise blood sugars?

 

[Brunneria]

If you eat a large portion of protein, then some of it breaks down to glucose and raises the blood glucose.

My experience (type 2) is that a big portion of protein has a very stabilising effect on my blood glucose. It tends to rise (a bit) and then stay level for hours, while my body gradually deals with the slow release effect from the meat. My bg never rises or falls sharply, and I feel good, with a clear mind and plenty of energy.

However, it is a bit of a mixed blessing. Too much protein isn't really ideal. and makes me feel a bit claggy. And unless you eat plenty of veg at the same time, you can get a bit clogged.

So I tend to stick to less generous meat portions, unless I want to use the high protein effect - such as I will have a big protein breakfast when I know I want to skip lunch, or know I will be very busy. Or I will have a big portion of meat as a main course when we are out, because it will prevent me wanting a pudding. Best done only occasionally!

Type 1s sometimes inject extra insulin to deal with the increased blood glucose from protein, but I'm afraid I don't know much about that.

 

[rosserk]

Hey thank you for the quick response. I wouldn't normally only eat meat but this evening I really couldn't be bothered to prepare any veg just really fancied a meat feast. I was under the impression that meat would have little or no effect on blood sugars. My post meal reading was 5.5 and one hour later it was 8.9 at two hours it was 7.6. I have found that since cutting down drastically on carbs and eating a higher protien diet that my blood sugars are higher the rest of the time. Previously around the 5s now always around 6.5. Wasn't aware protein could break down into glucose..

 

[sally and james]

Are you absolutely sure that your sausages were zero carb? Most sausages, unless very best, "home made" butchers ones, contain a lot of carb filler. Even one of our local butchers makes sausages which are full of honey. they are very popular, but for those of us not used to sugar any more, we immediately spot the (unpleasant) sweetness.
Sally

 

[rosserk]

Are you absolutely sure that your sausages were zero carb? Most sausages, unless very best, "home made" butchers ones, contain a lot of carb filler. Even one of our local butchers makes sausages which are full of honey. they are very popular, but for those of us not used to sugar any more, we immediately spot the (unpleasant) sweetness.
Sally

Hi

They were from the butcher and he said they were 100% meat so I hope so.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I am surprised that protein alone would cause such a spike at an hour. It is much slower release than carbs, and often doesn't take effect until several hours later.

 

[rosserk]

I am surprised that protein alone would cause such a spike at an hour. It is much slower release than carbs, and often doesn't take effect until several hours later.

That's what I thought, hence my concern and just wondered if it had happened to anyone else. I ate half a protein roll which has 4g of carbs an hour before so perhaps that caused the problem. Its all very confusing!

 

[rosserk]

Just found my mistake! Mint sauce has 4.1g of carbs and I had about a table spoon!

 

[4ratbags]

It is easy to overlook carbs in sauces ect. Just when you think you have it figured out something else pops up for you to scratch your head over.

 

[rosserk]

It is easy to overlook carbs in sauces ect. Just when you think you have it figured out something else pops up for you to scratch your head over.

Didn't enter my head but now I know what caused the rise I will be aware in future feel like a bit of an idiot!