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Treats

Susie_Jones-Powell_

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I completely understand the importance of healthy eating and exercise as a type 2 diabetic which I do 99% of the time. Just wondered how dangerous is it to the body to have the occasional high bs reading after a treat? For example, would having a bar of chocolate once a week be harmful to the body? I am not on insulin, just Metformin so can't compensate.
 
Hi how did you find out you had diabetes. Also my doc wants me to go on metformin do you have any problems with it mini 24
 
Mini24 said:
Hi how did you find out you had diabetes. Also my doc wants me to go on metformin do you have any problems with it mini 24
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Just routine blood tests. I've not had any problems with Metformin slow release but it's important you take with food and plenty of water. Good luck!
 
Sometimes we can handle 'treats' with no major effect to our bg levels. It really just depends on the person. Maybe a whole bar of chocolate would send your levels high, but a piece of Kit Kat wouldn't do much. It would just depend, you'd have to test to see how things affect you personally.

There's also no sense in depriving one's self. If I absolutely need a cookie, I'll have one. If I don't, I end up compensating by overeating other things, or by binging on a whole bag of cookies a few days later. I do try to time it out though, so if I'm craving a treat, I'll have it before or after a work out, then I'll know I've burned it off.
 
The occasional treat won do any harm and you might be surprised at how well your body copes with the odd treat once your diabetes is under control. Just test before and two after and Im sure you will be fine.
 
I have treats, but I've worked on having a selection of low carb ones that I can turn to, so I can enjoy them without ever having to feel guilty or worrying about glucose spikes...

Robbity
 
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Hi. I think we all pig-out occasionally with higher blood sugar as a result. Do try 85% Dark Chocolate e.g. Green & Blacks which has very low carbs.
 
When I started lchf I bought low carb treats from Amazon but soon discovered they are full of protein which ups my bgs too.
So I now have that treat but go strict low carb afterwards to compensate otherwise one treat leads to 2+3. Carbs cause carb cravings.
If it's a carb craving - make your next meal very low carb can block the craving. If the meal is due or bring your meal forward an hour but no more.
Most likely is a carb craving mind.
 
I would just try two or three squares of the 85%+ cocoa content bars occasionally. Only treat I have these days I'm afraid.
 
dbr10 said:
I would just try two or three squares of the 85%+ cocoa content bars occasionally. Only treat I have these days I'm afraid.
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Yes, that's what I have occasionally too! I just want to know the facts of how sugar affects our bodies as a one of hit as apposed to a lifetime of a poor diet.
 
Just arrived home from work to find my almost 5 yr old granddaughter had been busy making Scone's.
I was lead to the dining table by her with the promise I would keep my eyes closed.
On the table we had 8 Scone's and a special one for me, not to big because I'm on special medicine ( insulin, but that's special in a 5yrs old world).
It was the best scone I can remember eating for a long time.
Am I concerned about high sugars for an hour or so?
Am I hell as like, far more important things than diabetes in life. Seeing the pride on my granddaughter's face being one of many.
99% good 1% bad sounds like a good return to me.
 
Susie_Jones-Powell_ said:
Yes, that's what I have occasionally too! I just want to know the facts of how sugar affects our bodies as a one of hit as apposed to a lifetime of a poor diet.
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Some research suggests spikes can cause damage to the vessels in the eye. Extreme highs and lows but the fast correction which may prompt the problem more.
I guess insulin uses more prone to quick corrections.
Other complications are risked at bgs over 7.8mol/l which sugary treats always take me closer to ketoacidosis than nerve damage, for me but ketoacitosis is from long standing high bgs not a one off. However for me it takes days before my bgs have corrected after a treat, even on insulin.
Please keep this in mind.
Does regular chocolate only give you a few hours of high bgs iver 7.8?
 
Oh blimey no! I haven't eaten a chocolate bar since I was diagnosed in March. I have had a couple of slices of cake which took me to the 12 mark 2 hours later. It was at a time on holiday when I was literally walking all day so I was soon back down to 6.
I don't eat bad foods regularly but it seems even the odd treat can do long term damage then? I do have signs of retinopathy.
 
@therower It really is a balancing act isn't it. I think I would rather enjoy the odd pleasure in life now and again than feel completely restricted and be miserable!
 
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