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Type 1 diabetes: Is it possible to eat whatever you want if you inject enough insulin?

P

piklas007

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Im currently trying to gain weight. I have to eat about 2600 calories a day. I currently inject 9 units of insulin(humulin) in the morning, noon and night so I can have my main meals and eat small meals in between. But now I have to eat a lot more. So If I increase my insulin to a point where I eat more, maybe have some foods that I wouldnt eat if I was still at 9 untis and still see my blood sugar at normal levels before each main meal, there wont be any problems, right?
 
That is basically correct, and what most carb counting regimes are based upon (if you eat twice as much carbs you need twice as much insulin).
 
As long as you match your insulin to the carbs you eat then there shouldn't be a problem provided the increased insulin doses don't lead to more hypo's, but you could try eating healthy sources of protein & fat to make up your on the calories, try snacking on food like nuts. If your unsure about working out your insulin-to-carb ratio's take a look at the following:

http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/
 
You are right with the insulin- just adjust to the number of carbs. I am on the thin side myself and have been injecting insulin for 5 year now. I was told by my nurse when I started insulin that if I continued to eat the amount of calories I consumed at the time then I would be huge in a years time....5 years later I am unfortunately still stick thin! I hope you weight gain regime works.....and if it does please pass on any pointers :)
 
This depends on the type of insulin you are taking. You say Humalin; is that Humalin M3? A mixed insulin is a different regime to say a basal-bolus.

For example, Humalin M3 is a short and long acting insulin combined. So lets say you have a big pizza and chips and inject a lot more insulin. That will be fine with the short acting to deal with the meal, however, you will overdose on long acting and likely end up with a big hypo several hours later. Basal bolus reduces this risk.
I am on Humalin M3 twice a day and sometimes tweak it myself; trial and error experience. But this is within reason; and if upped it for evening meal I make sure I have a little snack before bed. In the past I once awoke at night all tingly and itchy. Tested myself and 1.9mmol/L !!!! In fact, I was lucky to wake up!

Speak to ur Diabetes nurse first :-)
 
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