Type 1 T1 Diabetics CAN eat sugar

[Emma_Fisher]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been told ever since I learnt to carb count that as a type 1 diabetic I AM allowed to eat sugar as long as I carb count and inject for it. That basically I can eat whatever I want, just like anyone without diabetes - of course within reason and as part of a balanced diet (but again that’s just like everyone should).
I’m in my 20’s now and my mum hasn’t been in control of my diabetes for over 10 years but she still constantly tells me I can’t eat any sugar and won’t accept that I can.
Can I please get some support from other T1 diabetics explaining that as long as I carb count and my HbA1c is good then it’s absolutely fine?!
Thanks!!

 

[urbanracer]

Hi Emma.

I can only suggest that you let your blood glucose readings and hbA1c results speak for themselves (assuming they are well controlled).

For myself, I struggle with sugar and have found that I get better results without it. If I am continually putting it in my tea and coffee, my BG will be into double figures at the end of the working day and I can't bolus effectively for it.

We're all different. If you can 'get away with it' then carry on.

 

[Deleted Account]

I am in complete agreement with you @Emma_Fisher
About 90 to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2. Therefore, 90 to 95% of what is in the press and media about diabetes is about type 2. However, type 2 is a different condition to type 1. But, as they share the same name, many people just hear "diabetes" and jump to the conclusion it refers to all types of diabetes.

I eat sugar, I eat fruit, I eat cake, I eat chocolate, I eat bread with (my Mum's amazing, homemade) jam, I drink fruit juice, I drink cocktails, ... and my diabetes is managed by guestimating the carbs and giving myself the appropriate insulin dose.
And, I am not alone - take a look at the signature on @Knikki profile, for example.

That said, there are some people with type 1 diabetes who have chosen to eat low carb diet as this makes their management easier. It is a choice.

I am not sure how to convince your mother. You can show her your results. You can show her this thread (I am sure I will not be the only one).
I would add a note of caution with showing her this forum: as I mentioned above, the majority of people with diabetes have type 2 and this forum very much advocates a low carb diet to manage type 2 diabetes. But if you can educate your mother how different type 1 and type 2 are, it may be a good start.

Once she understands, you can celebrate together with some cake

 

[KK123]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been told ever since I learnt to carb count that as a type 1 diabetic I AM allowed to eat sugar as long as I carb count and inject for it. That basically I can eat whatever I want, just like anyone without diabetes - of course within reason and as part of a balanced diet (but again that’s just like everyone should).
I’m in my 20’s now and my mum hasn’t been in control of my diabetes for over 10 years but she still constantly tells me I can’t eat any sugar and won’t accept that I can.
Can I please get some support from other T1 diabetics explaining that as long as I carb count and my HbA1c is good then it’s absolutely fine?!
Thanks!!

Hi there Emma, you're an adult first and foremost and you can eat whatever you want! Having said that, like anyone else it's better to make choices that you know are healthy for you and not doing you harm. Of course you are allowed to eat sugar if you wish and if your management is good then that's fine. Many of us (myself included) don't eat 'sugar' or carbs to excess because I for one, never have even before diabetes and secondly I know that my body is unable to process too many carbs without the use of insulin. If I fancy something higher in carbs then I have it and I try to balance it with the right amount of insulin, I do find though that the more insulin I have to use the more chaotic my readings get the rest of that day.

Basically it is your choice, the question of whether 'sugar' is bad for ANYONE is a question for everybody, diabetic or not. Your Mum has a point so far as sugar being 'bad' per se and therefore worse for a diabetic but it sounds as if you are able to manage it well and as long as that continues so be it. x

 

[EllieM]

Can I please get some support from other T1 diabetics explaining that as long as I carb count and my HbA1c is good then it’s absolutely fine?!

Definitely! Look, diabetic wise, if your meter says it's OK, then it's OK. The whole point of being T1 rather than T2 is that you can balance your food with your injections. Now, if she wanted to criticise your sugar intake because it's bad for people in general then I'd have some sympathy. But as a diabetic, it's your body and you and your meter know whether you can balance sugar to insulin correctly.

Sounds like your mum may be having trouble letting go of diabetic control? You're an adult now. She's allowed to care, be kind to her about her concern, but it's your body and you're the one who needs to exert that control.

Good luck.

ps My mum was T1 so she was a big help in my childhood, but she never criticised my control as an adult, even when it wasn't so good . And my husband is awesome at rescuing me from hypos, but he would never criticise my food choices. I can understand it must be incredibly hard to look after a T1 child, but you have to let go when they're adult.

 

[Robinredbreast]

I would love to eat just what I want and just inject for it, but I do watch what I eat. I had a yogurt drink for breakfast and I will have my GF crackers and some other food items for lunch, which will probably include some fruit, maybe another yogurt and a 9 bar.
Easter was a bit of a nightmare as I don't normally get Easter eggs, but I did this year !!
Your BS readings tell a story, take care.
ps Mum's do tend to worry over a lot of things, even when children are grown up <3

 

[Muneeb]

There is some truth to we can eat whatever we want and inject for it, but its not as simple as that.

For a start, type 1's use insulin, depending on the type you use it has a certain profile (e.g. delivery over 3-5 hours, peak at 1.5 hours etc). This profile does not match all foods, especially foods with high GI (or very low GI), as they will cause BG to raise very quick and cause a spike, much faster than the insulin can act. This can be counteracted to a certain extent by pre-blousing, but its still not ideal.

As they say the 'law of small numbers' suggests if you minimize the input (carbs - as they have greatest impact on BG) then the resultant output is also minimized. I.e. if you eat less sugar, you need less insulin and therefore less chance of getting the dosage wrong - therefore better control. The main issue with long term diabetic complications is obviously high BG levels, but also the roller coaster effect (if your levels jump up and down often from eating and injecting), so its important to minimize this.

Do I eat anything I want? Well I did for many years, I still do to some extent but now I think much more about how it affects my BG - especially now I have the libre.

Personally having gotten into fitness I stay away from many foods, as they are just no good what-so-ever. tbh I'm surprised they are allowed to sell some of the foods at all. But that's a debate for another time.

Also a good hba1c doesn't mean good control in general. You could have lots of hypers and lots of hypos which balance themselves out to give an average hba1c, doesn't mean its good control.

 

[Juicyj]

Even as a type 1 we are all different in our responses to carbs, personally I love a bit of cake but avoid eating big pieces of it as I cannot cope with the spike, even if I pre-bolus by up to 20 mins I can still shoot up into the high teens, so tend to avoid the stuff, also I find sugar addictive, have heard it's worse than cocaine in terms of response to the brain, so it takes alot of restraint to eat a small piece. Last night my daughter gave me 6 mini eggs which I bolused for, and sure enough at the time I wanted to go to sleep I was playing catch up on corrections as I prefer to be either in range or know that my levels are coming down before I hit the sack.

At the end of the day your meter tells the true story and if you can manage it without the spike and correction then explain this to your mum, the DAFNE course advocates eating 'normally' too, perhaps mention this to your mum too ?

 

[db89]

Just wanted to echo the previous posts which are correct and to confirm that what you were told when you learned carb counting should be true. If you can manage the carb counting, dose and timing it's possible to get it right most of the time. I couldn't quite get from your post where on the scale your mother is from concern (all parents will have this whatever your age!) to flat out banning you from sugar. As you say you're in your 20s and you should be able to make your own decisions in how to treat your diabetes in life as with everything else.

I've enjoyed a slice of Clyde the colossal caterpillar this morning with a cuppa for a colleague's birthday.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been told ever since I learnt to carb count that as a type 1 diabetic I AM allowed to eat sugar as long as I carb count and inject for it. That basically I can eat whatever I want, just like anyone without diabetes - of course within reason and as part of a balanced diet (but again that’s just like everyone should).
I’m in my 20’s now and my mum hasn’t been in control of my diabetes for over 10 years but she still constantly tells me I can’t eat any sugar and won’t accept that I can.
Can I please get some support from other T1 diabetics explaining that as long as I carb count and my HbA1c is good then it’s absolutely fine?!
Thanks!!

Hi @Emma_Fisher ,

Is your mum T1 like you? (It's a little unclear in your post.)

On "paper" in a labs. These insulin performance profiles & regimes look great, following the "manufactures instructions."
In the real world with the pilots who actually fly this thing, metabolic rate, types of food digested, insulin absobtion & response. Plus other variables..?
All changes how this affects the individual.. Gaining a personal understanding of your own condition is the focus.

I'm sure you will be fantastic, providing you stay mindful of what works for you.

If you mum is T1? Lead by example.
If she happens to be otherwise on different meds? Maybe invite her to join in on those related topics...

Best wishes to you both.

 

[kitedoc]

I disagree @Emma_Fisher , I have my reasons after 52 years on insulin and trying all sorts of diets.
All i can say is good luck - you may win or you may not - only time will tell.
Hint: what works best ?
# Eating and using insulin to catch up with whatever BSLs result or
# eat in accord with the action of one's insulin.
Best Wishes!!
N.B. NICE guidelines do not recommend any diet because they have not found strong enough evidence for one particular type of diet.

 

[Emma_Fisher]

You don’t use insulin to “catch up” you look at what you’re going to eat and add up all the carbs, inject for it then eat.
There’s no catching up anywhere.
So the insulin is in accordance with what I’m eating not the other way around and that’s how it should be no matter what you’re eating.
At the end of the day eating a bowl of pasta with 60g of carbs or eating a bag of sweets with 60g of carbs has the exact same effect on my blood sugars and as long as I inject accordingly my blood sugars are always well within range of what they should be.

 

[Member496333]

Just because you’re insulin deficient doesn’t mean that you cannot later become simultaneously insulin resistant, and if that happens, you’re in for a world of pain. You’re young and should be fine right now, but be mindful that this may not always be the case. There was once a time when every diabetic on this forum was able to consume sugar with gay abandon. Now, not so much. Just because you’re type 1 doesn’t automatically mean that you will always have unlimited capacity for carbohydrate.

Sugar is also public enemy number one in helping to lay down hepatic fat...in everyone, not just diabetics or type 2s or whatever.

 

[Emma_Fisher]

Just because you’re insulin deficient doesn’t mean that you cannot later become simultaneously insulin resistant, and if that happens, you’re in for a world of pain. You’re young and should be fine right now, but be mindful that this may not always be the case. There was once a time when every diabetic on this forum was able to consume sugar with gay abandon. Now, not so much. Just because you’re type 1 doesn’t automatically mean that you will always have unlimited capacity for carbohydrate.

Sugar is also public enemy number one in helping to lay down hepatic fat...in everyone, not just diabetics or type 2s or whatever.

I know resistance can be a complication but that’s for many reasons other than eating carbs.
If diabetic doctors were truly worried about that they’d encourage T1 diabetics to have a low carb diet which they don’t - that’s for T2. In fact my diabetic specialist doctors have always encouraged me to eat carbs.

 

[Emma_Fisher]

Hi @Emma_Fisher ,

Is your mum T1 like you? (It's a little unclear in your post.)

On "paper" in a labs. These insulin performance profiles & regimes look great, following the "manufactures instructions."
In the real world with the pilots who actually fly this thing, metabolic rate, types of food digested, insulin absobtion & response. Plus other variables..?
All changes how this affects the individual.. Gaining a personal understanding of your own condition is the focus.

I'm sure you will be fantastic, providing you stay mindful of what works for you.

If you mum is T1? Lead by example.
If she happens to be otherwise on different meds? Maybe invite her to join in on those related topics...

Best wishes to you both.

Hi,
No she’s definitely not diabetic.
And any time I eat any type of carbs whether it be pasta or sweets for example as long as I inject correctly my blood sugars are always within range. She just can’t seem to understand or appreciate that diabetes doesn’t have to mean you have a restricted diet it just means you need to be aware of exactly what you’re consuming to account for it. I’ve been diabetic for over 17 years and I’ve been trying to explain this to her for probably the last 10!
Thanks

 

[Member496333]

I know resistance can be a complication but that’s for many reasons other than eating carbs.
If diabetic doctors were truly worried about that they’d encourage T1 diabetics to have a low carb diet which they don’t - that’s for T2. In fact my diabetic specialist doctors have always encouraged me to eat carbs.

That’s fair enough. I was just adding a few words of wisdom from someone who’s been around the block. You would be well advised, as would anyone, to not foster the mindset that you can eat whatever you like, irrespective of anything. That is why most of us are here. When you’re double the age you are now, you may regret it. But hey I never listened to anyone when I was your age either

 

[Emma_Fisher]

That’s fair enough. I was just adding a few words of wisdom from someone who’s been around the block. You would be well advised, as would anyone, to not foster the mindset that you can eat whatever you like, irrespective of anything. That is why most of us are here. When you’re double the age you are now, you may regret it. But hey I never listened to anyone when I was your age either

Wow no need to be so patronising.
Or why you’d find any of this “hilarious”.
I very rarely eat sugar but I like to have it as a treat now and again and my point was that just like anyone that isn’t diabetic, T1’s can eat sugar. As long as it’s part of a balanced diet it’s okay. If I eat sugar and my blood sugars are well within range - not spiking and not running high then I don’t see why I would “regret it”. I’ve had more than my fair share of complications from diabetes already which I can assure you are not “hilarious” and equally are nothing to do with eating sugar. Stress is the biggest thing that affects my diabetes which I cannot control.
This forum is supposed to help and support each other not be rudely condescending.
But okay... thanks for your input.

 

[Member496333]

Wow no need to be so patronising.
Or why you’d find any of this “hilarious”.
I very rarely eat sugar but I like to have it as a treat now and again and my point was that just like anyone that isn’t diabetic, T1’s can eat sugar. As long as it’s part of a balanced diet it’s okay. If I eat sugar and my blood sugars are well within range - not spiking and not running high then I don’t see why I would “regret it”. I’ve had more than my fair share of complications from diabetes already which I can assure you are not “hilarious” and equally are nothing to do with eating sugar. Stress is the biggest thing that affects my diabetes which I cannot control.
This forum is supposed to help and support each other not be rudely condescending.
But okay... thanks for your input.

Bit of a misunderstanding I think. I was kinda laughing at myself. Apologies for any misunderstanding. I was only trying to help. Good luck.

 

[Jaylee]

Can I remind members that the OP seeks advice regarding her own diatary choice.
It must also be respected that the OP is also under the direction of her HCPs.

@Emma_Fisher '

None of the members here are "time travelers" or "Mystic Meg."
But there is benefit of informed personal hindsight.

I appreciate you're now an independent adult. I was diagnosed as a child & get "it."

Why not take your mum with you to the next apointment with your diabetic team & let your mum's mind & concern be put to rest, once & for all....

 

[kitedoc]

You don’t use insulin to “catch up” you look at what you’re going to eat and add up all the carbs, inject for it then eat.
There’s no catching up anywhere.
So the insulin is in accordance with what I’m eating not the other way around and that’s how it should be no matter what you’re eating.
At the end of the day eating a bowl of pasta with 60g of carbs or eating a bag of sweets with 60g of carbs has the exact same effect on my blood sugars and as long as I inject accordingly my blood sugars are always well within range of what they should be.

Think again @Emma_Fisher !