How much does your diet affect your diabetes type 1?(if you have it of course)?

Question

my cousin has diebetes and she heard that it's different for each person. i just wanted to know.

Answer 1

People with type 1 always have to take insulin. How much they take depends on a lot of things, but there is no reason to have a limited diet. Like the previous poster said, you can use insulin to balance out anything you eat. So I could have a hot fudge sundae, I would just have to know how many carbs are in it, and take appropriate amounts of insulin to "cover" that.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Diet is only one factor in Type 1 diabetes control. It is also one that can be accounted for. Anything with carbohydrate content will affect blood sugar, not just table sugar. So, anything with carbohydrate content must be matched to insulin doses using an insulin-to-carb ratio. "Avoiding sugar" is an old myth that used to apply before people knew that ALL carbohydrate containing foods affect blood sugar, and that all foods can be worked into a meal plan for someone with autoimmune Type 1 diabetes.

For example, 3 medium oranges has 45 grams of carbs. So does a can of Coke. Although the Coke will raise the BG quicker, the end result on the person's blood glucose level is the same. The person will Type 1 diabetes will need to take the same amount of insulin. If their ratio is 1 unit for 15 grams of carbohydrate, they will take 3 units in both cases.

Another factor is the Glycemic Index.

Some people are surprised that some "healthy" foods raise the blood sugar quite fast. For example, cereal such as Cornflakes has a very high glycemic index (GI) and thus raises blood sugar quicker than table sugar. I find it funny that one would suggest a diabetic avoid "sugar" and then give them a bowl of Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies! ;) And yet people do!

Large amounts of protein also can raise blood sugar in some Type 1's.

Overall, what I am saying is that there is no "restricted" food for a Type 1, and that ALL food must be carefully calculated and matched to the person's insulin needs/ratios. Insulin to carb ratios are individual for each person, depending on their insulin sensitivity.

Overall, a Type 1 should follow a healthy diet like everyone else the majority of the time, but do not become the "food police" and do not stop them from having a treat if they have taken the corresponding insulin for it.

There are some exceptions, such as if the Type 1 needs to lose weight/is gaining too much weight, has a high blood sugar at the time, or does not know how to adjust their insulin for what they eat. A diabetes educator and/or dietitian can be helpful here.

Overall, since Type 1 diabetics are at an increased risk of heart disease, they should eat a healthy diet high in fibre, good fats, and lean proteins. However, they can eat a (healthy) normal diet with treats when they really want it.

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

well a type 1 will differ from a type 2. I am a type 1 and for the most part I don't eat any different then from my non diabetic kids and husband. If we have corn and potates I usually only eat one or the other, I try to watch my carb-protein ratio. I do eat dessert when we have it, but I only take a small piece. I do count how many carbs I eat and adjust my insulin to fit my need at the time.

Answer 6

Type 1 diabetes is a balancing act 24/7. You must make sure that the amount of carbs you eat will balance out your amount of insulin plus amount of exercise. If levels are not balances, your blood sugar levels will be either too high, or too low. Now the amount of insulin needed will be different depending on the person. For example, I take 1 unit of insulin for every 12g of carbs I eat. Others may take 1 unit for 10g of carbs, or whatever their ratio may be.

Answer 7

Balancing food intake and insulin intake are the control factors for Diabetes Type I.

Exercise, food and insulin must be balanced. Emotional stress and illness can also require that the insulin intake be increased.

Every diabetic whether Type I or II is given dietary instructions. The elimination of white granulated sugar or food that becomes sugar is the strictest diet. On special occasions sugar can be injested.

Answer 8

Diet is everything

Read The South Beach Diet

and

You the owners Manuel

Blood chemistry is very important

Answer 9

You have to be so careful what you eat, as if not treated right diabetes can be a very dangerous illness, high sugared foods should not be eaten, as your blood sugar will rise, but then you have to make sure it doesn't drop to low, limited amounts of alcohol are recommend as this contains lots of sugar