Insulin and Carbs.

nickw · 01-16-2010, 10:12

Hello,
I was wondering about meals and how much insulin should be taken when exercise comes into the equation? i know this is different for everybody and should be consulted to by a doctor,
but any helpful information would be appreciated.

When i had a meal i use to normally take about 7 units depending on the meal, i discovered that you shouldn't exercise when your insulin is peaking because it speeds up the absorbtion rate? and you then need more carbs to pick your levels up.
Has anyone had this same problem?
Is there a suggested routine?

I tried less insulin at meals and then exercised, my levels stayed in check until a few hours after exercising where they sky rocketed?

I would also like to start carb counting. i know the basics and had been told about the 6:1 ratio but I am completely lost when exercise is involved?

Thanks.

Anthill · 01-16-2010, 12:41

G'day Nick , This is a curly one as we do not know how many is left in the liver! I would take say 30% less and with any physical pressure on the body will like you say accelerate the insulin reaction.
This is your first post so I will welcome you to DF.

Tell us more about yourself in the introduce yourself part of the forum

Shanny · 01-16-2010, 16:28

Welcome aboard, Nick. I have nothing to offer except greetings . . . just want you to know we're glad you're here!

Richard157 · 01-16-2010, 17:12

Welcome aboard Nick! I have trouble with the exercise too. What works best for me is to start my exercise less than 30 minutes after a meal. That way there are enough carbs available to provide the necessary energy and prevent my liver from dumping extra carbs into the mix. If you are exercising after eating and still having highs then it may be due to your eating a small amount of carbs and then doing a very rigorous type of exercise. If you do a lot of exercise or it is an exercise like weight lifting, swimming or running then you may need more carbs than you had in your meal. If you burn up your carbs and keep on exercising you will the experience a liver dump. That would cause yo to have high blood sugar.

You can experiment and determine how many carbs you need before exercising.

ichard