Wheatabix and almond milk, high BS

[Shivles]

Little one is 16mo, has dairy intolerance, she has 2 wheatabix every morning pretty much with 250ml of a dairy free milk. Last week she was on soya which she wasn't too keen on so went back to almond milk which is 3g carbs per 100ml, she is at 17.4 2hrs later! Could it be the almond milk? We've had issues with highs after breakfast before and couldn't work out why

 

[SB2015]

I wonder whether it is more likely to be the Weetabix. I used to love having these and I was always on target by the next meal. Then i got my Libre monitor, and realised how high the spike was after breakfast!! Someone on here described breakfast cereal as a a bowl of sugar in disguise. That was the end of Weetabix for me.
Now it is porridge for me (but I know that others find that that causes spikes for them as well)

For post meal spikes, you could have a look at the timing of the bolus. Cereals often lift the BG very rapidly because of the simple carbs in them, so shifting the bolus to some time before the meal can allow the insulin to get active and meet the increase in BG head on rather than trialling behind it.

 

[Radders]

I switched to Oatibix and only have one, with a sprinkle of Lizi's low GL granola. They've also brought out a higher protein Weetabix which has slightly lower carbs. I still get a bit of a spike but not as bad as it used to be. As I am vegetarian and need the vitamins and fibre in my cereal I've done a bit of experimenting! Others find it best to abandon cereal altogether.

 

[Shivles]

I wonder whether it is more likely to be the Weetabix. I used to love having these and I was always on target by the next meal. Then i got my Libre monitor, and realised how high the spike was after breakfast!! Someone on here described breakfast cereal as a a bowl of sugar in disguise. That was the end of Weetabix for me.
Now it is porridge for me (but I know that others find that that causes spikes for them as well)

For post meal spikes, you could have a look at the timing of the bolus. Cereals often lift the BG very rapidly because of the simple carbs in them, so shifting the bolus to some time before the meal can allow the insulin to get active and meet the increase in BG head on rather than trialling behind it.

I wondered this too in the beginning and asked her nurse about changing her breakfast but they said no :/ also she has it almost every day and all last week on soy milk all her 2hr post breakfast readings were within target. It's very confusing lol. Just checked her again and she is coming down now...

 

[Annette]

If you use the unsweetened almond milk, its less than that, btw. Like, about 0.1g per 100ml. But 3g of carbs is unlikely to make her spike that much. (if you consider a weetabix is about 10g or so?)

 

[Shivles]

If you use the unsweetened almond milk, its less than that, btw. Like, about 0.1g per 100ml. But 3g of carbs is unlikely to make her spike that much. (if you consider a weetabix is about 10g or so?)

I thought that but nothing else has changed... could her insulin just have absorbed slower for some reason?

 

[SB2015]

With Diabetes nothing stays the same. I do wonder how much of my time I spend wondering Why ...

I have no idea why the change of milk would have such a big impact. However back to the Weetabix. Your daughters levels may be back on target after two hours with the usual milk but I suspect that there are some big spikes happening straight after the meal, and the same would happen with other cereals.

 

[SB2015]

I switched to Oatibix and only have one, with a sprinkle of Lizi's low GL granola. They've also brought out a higher protein Weetabix which has slightly lower carbs. I still get a bit of a spike but not as bad as it used to be. As I am vegetarian and need the vitamins and fibre in my cereal I've done a bit of experimenting! Others find it best to abandon cereal altogether.

I shall look out for the Oatibix. Perhaps I could have a treat now and then. Thanks Radders

 

[Shivles]

3.5+ hrs later she's back in range

Every time I think I'm on top of it something happens that makes no sense 🙄

 

[Annette]

Ok, might be a long shot but...Have you tried almond milk on its own to see if it affects her BGs? Just a cupful, test after 1 and 2 hours. because I doubt its the carbs (its too few) but it could perhaps be an intolerance to it - which can cause an inflammatory reaction, which could include raised BGs?

 

[Shivles]

Ok, might be a long shot but...Have you tried almond milk on its own to see if it affects her BGs? Just a cupful, test after 1 and 2 hours. because I doubt its the carbs (its too few) but it could perhaps be an intolerance to it - which can cause an inflammatory reaction, which could include raised BGs?

I will try that to rule it out, thank you

 

[bilbie]

What about half or one weetbix and a boiled egg, as part of a healthy breakfast. I can understand the nutritious wheat germ and fibrous bran (which sometimes both are taken out),

 

[Shivles]

What about half or one weetbix and a boiled egg, as part of a healthy breakfast. I can understand the nutritious wheat germ and fibrous bran (which sometimes both are taken out), It's the high sugars and starches, I can't understand.

I can't help with what the nurse said. I'm still trying to get my head around, it's ok to give high fat breast milk for 12 months, but as soon as they're weaned, it's low fat?

These are only 1.7g sugar for 2 biscuits so thought they were a good option! :dohh:

I think the tables are turning on low fat and lots of people are being recommended a low carb high fat diet as healthier. Change the rules all the time don't they haha

 

[bilbie]

Dam, I edited my soap box too late, I had second thoughts
Yes, weetabix is low sugar but high starch/carb. Sometimes it might be worthwhile adding some more proteins and fats, to balance up the carb/protein/fat macros.

weetbix is 77% carbs 10 of which are fiber.
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories-in-food/breakfast-cereals/weetabix.htm

 

[SB2015]

It is important to look at the carbohydrates, not the sugars (which are only part of the carbs) on the foods. The insulin needs to be matched to the total of all the carbs. These pesky carbs are hidden away in lots of things.

The news does not help us at all in this as it continually goes in about 'sugar' and some nurses and GPs also feed this misconception.

 

[bilbie]

3.5+ hrs later she's back in range

Every time I think I'm on top of it something happens that makes no sense 🙄

If the BG came back without correction, it may have been timing of the bolus? assuming the basal is adjusted right.
I hope one of the T1s see this, they may be able to advise on when to give the injection/pump bolus. Until you can see your nurse.

Though it's hard with little ones, you pre bolus for all the carbs and some of the protein. Then they don't eat the whole meal and they have too much IOB. It's catch 22.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I wondered this too in the beginning and asked her nurse about changing her breakfast but they said no :/

Well round here the Health Care Professionals don't want patients doing anything to manage their condition.

 

[Shivles]

If the BG came back without correction, it may have been timing of the bolus? assuming the basal is adjusted right.
I hope one of the T1s see this, they may be able to advise on when to give the injection/pump bolus. Until you can see your nurse.

Though it's hard with little ones, you pre bolus for all the carbs and some of the protein. Then they don't eat the whole meal and they have too much IOB. It's catch 22.

The nurses are adamant to give the dose right before or even after the meal... OH has suggested giving it 10 minutes before a meal though to see if it helps

 

[Shivles]

It is important to look at the carbohydrates, not the sugars (which are only part of the carbs) on the foods. The insulin needs to be matched to the total of all the carbs. These pesky carbs are hidden away in lots of things.

The news does not help us at all in this as it continually goes in about 'sugar' and some nurses and GPs also feed this misconception.

The carbs has matched the dose all week that's why I'm confused lol

 

[Annette]

The nurses are adamant to give the dose right before or even after the meal... OH has suggested giving it 10 minutes before a meal though to see if it helps

The nurses arent dealing with your little ones D. You find out what works and you do it. Listen to their advice but remember, only you know what works and if thats totally at odds with what they are saying, smile and wave. (Anyone recognise the quote?😉) In other words, do what suits your little one not what suits them. And if thats pre bolus (10mins,30 mins, half and half in case she doesnt eat the lot, whatever) then pre bolus. And dont tell them if they kick up a fuss.