Type 1: Breakfast Dilemma

For three years now I have been having porridge for breakfast and reading my BS at the earliest two hours after eating. Only now do I realise that quite probably there is a time within that two hours that the sugar level spikes :-( So reluctantly I changed to a slice of toast with cheese and tomato. Took the relevant amount of insulin and in fact was a little worried about hypo as I had a long walk. Tested two hours afterwards and BS was 265 which is 14.71! So that's not going to work either. Can anyone tell me if I can find a way round this by maybe injecting half an hour before food? Taking more insulin isn't the answer as I have tried that and it results in a hypo. Failing that - what do other people eat for breakfast? It's my favourite meal of the day and I want something pretty low calorie, but healthy and available 365 days a year! Or...should I be eating less to avoid such a spike? However we are talking about 0.75 of an ounce of oats or one slice of toast...

Than

catapillar said:

Have you actually tested to see if porridge is spiking you - maybe test every half hour after you start eating to see if it's as bad as you are thinking it is.

Yep, pre-blousing would probably be worth trying to avoid the spike from porridge, if you are getting one. I wouldn't start off with 30 minutes before though, experiment by bringing your injection forward 5 minutes at a time and see how that works.

Here's some information on pre blousing / things to think about to avoid spikes - http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.c...blood-glucose-management/strike-the-spike-ii/

Might be worth looking at ways to lower the GI of the porridge, so whole milk and proper oats. But I reckon pre blousing would be worth a try first to keep your favourite breakfast just as you like it

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catapillar said:

Have you actually tested to see if porridge is spiking you - maybe test every half hour after you start eating to see if it's as bad as you are thinking it is.

Yep, pre-blousing would probably be worth trying to avoid the spike from porridge, if you are getting one. I wouldn't start off with 30 minutes before though, experiment by bringing your injection forward 5 minutes at a time and see how that works.

Here's some information on pre blousing / things to think about to avoid spikes - http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.c...blood-glucose-management/strike-the-spike-ii/

Might be worth looking at ways to lower the GI of the porridge, so whole milk and proper oats. But I reckon pre blousing would be worth a try first to keep your favourite breakfast just as you like it

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Thanks Catapillar - I shall have a look at that. Yes porridge is dong the same as the bread. I love oats aand they are so good for you so if there is a way I shall be delighted

noblehead said:

Hi @Jacquelineann

Much like yourself I enjoy my morning porridge and bolus around 20-25 mins before which keeps my bg levels in range, the article that @catapillar has linked to is a great read and explains about pre-bolusing to reduce postprandial spikes.

Just one thing, make sure you don't use the instant oats as they are known to spike bg levels, try and go for pinhead/rough-cut oats instead and maybe add some seeds & natural yogurt to the porridge as the fat helps slow down the digestion.

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Great advice noblehead and thank you to both you and catapillar - have just read that article which is fascinating! Will get some better oats tomorrow

Well it's excellent whoever's it is!!

Jane! said:

Porridge used to spike me too ... I now halve the amount of oats ( just 15 grams) & make my porridge with almond milk & add Greek yoghurt ( or soya yogurt ), pumpkin & sunflower seeds , flaxseed, walnuts & a few raspberries . I bolus 45 mins before eating ( I have a libre so can see when the insulin is beginning to peak). No more spikes & only a very slight BG rise ( around 0.5 - 1.0).

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and

Jane! said:

Porridge used to spike me too ... I now halve the amount of oats ( just 15 grams) & make my porridge with almond milk & add Greek yoghurt ( or soya yogurt ), pumpkin & sunflower seeds , flaxseed, walnuts & a few raspberries . I bolus 45 mins before eating ( I have a libre so can see when the insulin is beginning to peak). No more spikes & only a very slight BG rise ( around 0.5 - 1.0).

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And what a fabulous breakfast! Thank you so much. I have just tried the good heavy duty type of oats and same kind of quantity as you...0.75 of an ounce. We'll see what happens. I should maybe have taken insulin earlier but my BS was not high and I can't risk it going low as I have to teach in an hour. I love the idea of this Libre thing! never heard of it (but I am in the mountains of Spain). Thanks again

Just Jeff said:

Hello, I had a similar problem with porridge and swapped onto a yogurt based breakfast.
I now have:
150grm Skyr Icelandic Yogurt
Palm measured fresh Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, and Red currents.
Topped off with a sprinkle of crushed Walnut & Brazil nuts, chia and flax seeds.

I find this keeps my BS nice and stable.
I have my breakfast at about 6:30am and then lunch at around 12:30.
Waking BS average 6.0
3 mile brisk walk to the station and office
Stairs to the 5th floor at the office
Water and tea for drinks, handful of nuts around 10:30ish
Before lunch BS average 5.4.



Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

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Sounds great!I may try that!