Carbs on the go for T1?

[Whittsend]

Hi folks. T1 since August 2020 and at 65 I'm not ready to join the 'pipe & slippers' brigade. Despite not being athletic, I'm still pretty active and have the physique of a racing snake.
I reckon I'm coming to the end of my honeymoon period and have had a couple of low (for me) readings while on a local walk, but managed to head off further reduction in BG with Dextrose etc until I got home.
Are there any suggestions for fast- and for slow-release carbs that I can ingest while still on the go to maintain my levels? I don't want to have to stop, carb up and then wait until they kick in before proceeding.
Thanks, all you T1s.

 

[helli]

I have a few go to options, depending on how far and how intense I am going.
Either something of about 10 to 15g such as an apple or packet of crisps or muesli bar without insulin or if I take water with me, I add some juice/squash and sip it as I am going round.
Alternatively, you could eat a small snack without insulin before you set off.

The idea is to avoid the hypo before it happens. As we are all different, experience will tell you what works best for you.

 

[Bloden]

Hi there @Whittsend. I take a juice box with me when I exercise. As long as my BG is above 6, I find I can carry on exercising (walking my dogs, that is) and my BG’ll start to rise in about 10-15 minutes. If I was doing anything more strenuous, like cycling or swimming, I’d have to stop and wait for the carb to kick in - I haven’t found anything that’ll fix a low in an instant when I’m exercising. Maybe someone else has...watch this space!😛

 

[Inka]

Depending on my blood sugar and length of exercise, I have Dextro tabs or sweets if I fancy a change, or a 150ml can of Coke. For slow carbs I have digestives or fruit or chocolate, or any mix of those. For slow/fast carbs in one bundle, I like flapjacks.

 

[Lucyr]

When I swim I usually mix orange juice into my water bottle

 

[Whittsend]

I have a few go to options, depending on how far and how intense I am going.
Either something of about 10 to 15g such as an apple or packet of crisps or muesli bar without insulin or if I take water with me, I add some juice/squash and sip it as I am going round.
Alternatively, you could eat a small snack without insulin before you set off.

The idea is to avoid the hypo before it happens. As we are all different, experience will tell you what works best for you.

Thanks Helli. Some useful tips here. I've managed to avoid anything serious while out on a walk so far but appreciate the hypo avoidance comment. "...experience will tell you what works best for you." - just got to suck it (or chew it) and see! 😎

 

[Whittsend]

Hi there @Whittsend. I take a juice box with me when I exercise. As long as my BG is above 6, I find I can carry on exercising (walking my dogs, that is) and my BG’ll start to rise in about 10-15 minutes. If I was doing anything more strenuous, like cycling or swimming, I’d have to stop and wait for the carb to kick in - I haven’t found anything that’ll fix a low in an instant when I’m exercising. Maybe someone else has...watch this space!😛

Hi Bloden. Thanks for the tip. I'm new to all this and am grateful for any guidance.

 

[Whittsend]

Depending on my blood sugar and length of exercise, I have Dextro tabs or sweets if I fancy a change, or a 150ml can of Coke. For slow carbs I have digestives or fruit or chocolate, or any mix of those. For slow/fast carbs in one bundle, I like flapjacks.

Hi Inka. Great advice which I'll certainly try out. I like the idea of the flapjacks!

 

[Whittsend]

When I swim I usually mix orange juice into my water bottle

Thanks Lucyr. I reckon I'll give it a go.