To snack or not to snack?

[Jennyninja]

Hello there. I'm currently classed as T2 (for 13 yrs), currently being investigated due to worsening control including GAD and C Peptides to find out if in fact, I'm one one of those exotic types. (I'm a 7.5 stone runner, very careful with my diet and still things are going out of control). I'm on Metformin and Alogliptin currently. Insulin is likely soon. To prepare for this I've been trying to cut out my mid morning and mid afternoon snack because rightly or wrongly I thought it will help me with coping with insulin dosage pre main meals. Also I've read about the benefits of keeping to 2-3 meals to better control what insulin I still have. The thing is despite having slightly larger meals, I get so hungry between meals that I get quite distracted (but not hypo. My BS is still c8-9 mmol even when I feel completely empty). Am I putting myself through more angst than I need to? I'm prepared to persevere if it's going to do any good.

 

[Ljc]

Hi . If your used to a meal/snack midday their is no reason to stop.
Tbh i have never heard about having two or three meals a day will preserve your insulin production.
What does help you preserve insulin production if you have LADA is starting insulin sooner rather than later.

I am pleased to hear you are going to have the proper tests done ti find out what type you have .

Big, big, BIG tip if you do need to go onto insulin . Imo two insulin’s are better than one .
That’s a Basal (long acting ) insulin injected once or twice daily and a bolus (rapid) insulin for meals and snacks. Once you have learned how , you match your rapid insulin to carbs eaten and have the benefit of correcting hypers (High BGs)

Their is a mixed insulin’s that you inject twice daily but you have to eat to the insulin , this is often offered to T2s with the selling point of, it’s only two injections a day .

Please let us know how you get on

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks Lin. That's really helpful ref the different types of insulin. Also your comment ref snacks. I'll keep you posted.

 

[helli]

Like @Ljc, I have not heard anything about reducing meals to protect insulin producing cells.
I have always been a grazer and nothing changed when I was diagnosed with Type 1.

Basal/bolus insulin regime is definitely more flexible and allows for as many meals of whatever carb content as you want.
I was on two dose a day of mixed insulin for a few months when I was first diagnosed and it drove me crazy.

If you want a compromise, have you tried low carb snacks? Nuts are my go to mid-meal snack. I can get away without bolusing for almonds, Brazils and pecans. Peanuts and cashews are more carby.

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks helli, I usually go for nuts or cheese. I'll get some almonds, Brazil's and pecans in too

 

[Ljc]

It could be that you are hungry because high BGs mean that your body may not be getting all the fuel it needs as it is staying in your blood stream , so your brain is sending out feed me signals . T1s often lose weight rapidly pre diagnosis .

 

[Jennyninja]

Interesting. Never thought of that but it makes sense.

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks again Lin

 

[Ljc]

My go too snack is a nice strong chunk of cheddar

 

[Ljc]

You are welcome. 🙂

 

[BlueArmy]

I am doing the Mydiabetes plan and they say you should snack, I am on 5 small, but carb low, protein and fibre high meals a day

Type 2 Diabetes Healthy Meal Tips

Research-backed tips from registered dietitians on what foods to eat and what to avoid to best manage type 2 diabetes.

www.everydayhealth.com

0% fat greek yogurt with chia seeds, oats and some berries is a quick and filling snack I turn to

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks Bluearmy, that makes sense and I like your snack ideas

 

[pm133]

Hi @Jennyninja,

Just a quick warning about Brazil nuts.
You shouldn't eat more than a few per day as they can be toxic.
I seem to remember that they absorb Selenium or something like that from the soil.
You might want to do a quick Google search on that.

On diagnosis, I guzzled 100g of them every day for about a week. That wasn't a good week :-D

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks pm133. I've never heard of that so thanks for the warning. I remember pre-diabetic childhood christmasses eating Brazil nuts covered in chocolate. I guess they weren't very good for you either

 

[Maca44]

Thanks pm133. I've never heard of that so thanks for the warning. I remember pre-diabetic childhood christmasses eating Brazil nuts covered in chocolate. I guess they weren't very good for you either

No not good but they were nice thought I wonder if they still make them or Cheese balls.

 

[Jennyninja]

Indeed!

 

[Ljc]

In my time I’ve eaten loads if Brazil nuts , both with and without chocolate . I could never stop at just a few , I don’t buy them anymore as I don’t need the calories .

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks Lin. Hopefully I'll get my GAD results tomorrow pm and advice about what happens next. Currently I'm trying to get as much info as I can to be better informed

 

[Inka]

Thanks Lin. Hopefully I'll get my GAD results tomorrow pm and advice about what happens next. Currently I'm trying to get as much info as I can to be better informed

Hopefully that will give you a clear answer as to your type @Jennyninja If you do turn out to be Type 1, check out the guidelines for insulins and make sure you’re actually treated as a Type 1 not a Type 2 (some misdiagnosed adults seem to have a bit of a struggle to get an appropriate insulin regime in place at the appropriate time).

 

[Jennyninja]

Thanks Inka