Banana or apple for raising BG

[Pat91]

Hi everyone, is a banana a good snack to raise BG when nearing 4 or is something like an apple a better option ?

 

[Robin]

Hi everyone, is a banana a good snack to raise BG when nearing 4 or is something like an apple a better option ?

As always, the answer is 'it depends!' (you’re beginning to know us by now!)
A banana probably has twice as many carbs as an apple, (around 20 for a smallish one as opposed to 10 for a small apple), both will get into the system fairly quickly, (if you were below four, or dropping rapidly, I’d say, eat jelly babies or glucose tablets, you need something faster to bring your blood glucose up). Only experimenting will tell you. I often eat half a banana if I'm in the 4s without much insulin left on board for the last meal, but a whole one if I've dropped too far mid way between meals and think I might drop further.(the other half keeps in the fridge for a day)

 

[Pat91]

As always, the answer is 'it depends!' (you’re beginning to know us by now!)
A banana probably has twice as many carbs as an apple, (around 20 for a smallish one as opposed to 10 for a small apple), both will get into the system fairly quickly, (if you were below four, or dropping rapidly, I’d say, eat jelly babies or glucose tablets, you need something faster to bring your blood glucose up). Only experimenting will tell you. I often eat half a banana if I'm in the 4s without much insulin left on board for the last meal, but a whole one if I've dropped too far mid way between meals and think I might drop further.(the other half keeps in the fridge for a day)

Ok thank you, just wanted to try a healthier option when nearing 4mmol, had a banana and it raised me from 3.8 to 5.2mmol in 40 mins.

 

[helli]

The healthiest option to recover from a hypo is whatever raises your blood sugars the fastest and is easily available.
I would not be worrying about fruit as the speed at which is can work is variable depending upon ripeness, etc.

 

[Robin]

The healthiest option to recover from a hypo is whatever raises your blood sugars the fastest and is easily available.
I would not be worrying about fruit as the speed at which is can work is variable depending upon ripeness, etc.

Agreed, but what I assumed Type 1 Pat was asking was about those times when you’re in the 4s, so not Hypo, but you know it’s a while til the next meal, you’ve got to go out, and you need something to bring you up a little to feel safe. I’d always try and go for something healthier than a jellybaby at those times.

 

[Inka]

When I’m close to 4 and want to raise my blood sugar a little but don’t necessarily need glucose, I tend to go for a digestive biscuit or hobnob. They’re quicker to eat and easier to measure the carbs by eating biscuit portions (ie breaking the biscuit into halves or quarters)

When actually feeling norm approaching a hypo, I have Dextro tablets or regular Coke.

Glad your banana worked for you @Type1Pat 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

I use dried fruit like prunes or apricots or occasionally figs in that situation. 1 dried prune or apricot is equivalent to about 5g carbs, so I can have 1, 2 or 3 even, depending upon my reading, the arrow on my Libre and if I have done any exercise or know that I was generous with the insulin with my previous meal (this rarely applies as I am pretty frugal with my insulin).

If your banana only raised your level from 3.8 to 5.2 it sounds like you had a unit or more of active insulin which mopped up the rest of the carbs from the banana. I wouldn't eat a whole banana myself. Like @Robin, I might very occasionally have a half of one, but a whole one would require insulin or my levels would be heading into orbit, eve from a low starting point.

Technically at 3.8 you should be having something faster acting than a banana ie JBs or glucose tabs or full sugar cola or orange juice.

 

[helli]

I was advised to eat something with about 10 to 15g slower acting carbs when concerned about being in the 4s.
Could be something like a packet of crisps, an apple, or a biscuit.
I learnt 1 stick of Twix was about right for me - the fat in the chocolate slowed down the carb release. 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

I am not sure my body understands the principle of slow release at all.... Protein is probably the best slow release food for me.... or maybe nuts with the combination of small amount of carbs, protein and fat. Not sure I would dare eat a finger of Twix without a bolus, even less so that a banana. One prune seems to go an awful long way for me! I am pretty sure a finger of Twix would put me up to 10 in about 30mins.... might be an interesting experiment though for a day when I am feeling brave! Any biscuits are the same. They seem to pack more carbs that the label indicates.

 

[Pat91]

I use dried fruit like prunes or apricots or occasionally figs in that situation. 1 dried prune or apricot is equivalent to about 5g carbs, so I can have 1, 2 or 3 even, depending upon my reading, the arrow on my Libre and if I have done any exercise or know that I was generous with the insulin with my previous meal (this rarely applies as I am pretty frugal with my insulin).

If your banana only raised your level from 3.8 to 5.2 it sounds like you had a unit or more of active insulin which mopped up the rest of the carbs from the banana. I wouldn't eat a whole banana myself. Like @Robin, I might very occasionally have a half of one, but a whole one would require insulin or my levels would be heading into orbit, eve from a low starting point.

Technically at 3.8 you should be having something faster acting than a banana ie JBs or glucose tabs or full sugar cola or orange juice.

Yeah you are right, I got back up to 5.2 but 1hr 30 mins later was back in the mid 4 range so had 1 jelly baby and digestive to tied me over till dinner .

 

[Pat91]

When I’m close to 4 and want to raise my blood sugar a little but don’t necessarily need glucose, I tend to go for a digestive biscuit or hobnob. They’re quicker to eat and easier to measure the carbs by eating biscuit portions (ie breaking the biscuit into halves or quarters)

When actually feeling norm approaching a hypo, I have Dextro tablets or regular Coke.

Glad your banana worked for you @Type1Pat 🙂

Yeah I must say digestives have been my go to, thought I would try something different. The Banana was short lived as was back in the mid 4s 90 mins later. Went for a trusty digestive in the end .

 

[helli]

You should not be needing to eat between meals to keep your blood sugars up.
It would be useful (for you and your nurse) to understand if there is any pattern - do you find you always need to eat between breakfast and lunch to avoid hypo, for example. If that was the case, it is possible that your insulin dose is too high for the carbs you are eating for lunch.

 

[Inka]

Yeah I must say digestives have been my go to, thought I would try something different. The Banana was short lived as was back in the mid 4s 90 mins later. Went for a trusty digestive in the end .

The beauty of digestives is that they’re around 10g carbs. If you can work out what caused you to go low that would be useful. Less carbs in your meal? Exercise? Any possible culprits? If not, your insulin might need lowering a little.

 

[Pat91]

The beauty of digestives is that they’re around 10g carbs. If you can work out what caused you to go low that would be useful. Less carbs in your meal? Exercise? Any possible culprits? If not, your insulin might need lowering a little.

I have been more active today so I am thinking it's probably that. Also last night when injecting my Lantus I noticed insulin sitting at the injection site so I took a correction dose of 2 units. ( Which in the mean time I have read is not a good idea).

 

[Pat91]

You should not be needing to eat between meals to keep your blood sugars up.
It would be useful (for you and your nurse) to understand if there is any pattern - do you find you always need to eat between breakfast and lunch to avoid hypo, for example. If that was the case, it is possible that your insulin dose is too high for the carbs you are eating for lunch.

Yes i think my DSN will lower my units as he rings every 4 days or so to check my readings. And I'm finding I need to snack to keep my BG in range as such. Is night time insulin something everyone has? If so how many units do you need each night.

 

[helli]

Yes i think my DSN will lower my units as he rings every 4 days or so to check my readings. And I'm finding I need to snack to keep my BG in range as such. Is night time insulin something everyone has? If so how many units do you need each night.

Most people use “basal - bolus” insulin regime.
Basal is the slow acting insulin which lasts about 24 hours which you are taking at night.
The purpose of this is to cover the glucose that drips from your liver.
The purpose of the bolus is to cover the carbs you eat.

Insulin doses are very individual. There is no point comparing your dose with anyone else. It depends on your weight, lifestyle, insulin resistance, whether you are in the honeymoon phase (still producing some insulin of your own), ...

The right amount of night time insulin in the amount you need to keep your blood sugar level when you don’t eat anything or exercise or are stressed, etc. Overnight is a good time to check this.

 

[Pat91]

Ah

Most people use “basal - bolus” insulin regime.
Basal is the slow acting insulin which lasts about 24 hours which you are taking at night.
The purpose of this is to cover the glucose that drips from your liver.
The purpose of the bolus is to cover the carbs you eat.

Insulin doses are very individual. There is no point comparing your dose with anyone else. It depends on your weight, lifestyle, insulin resistance, whether you are in the honeymoon phase (still producing some insulin of your own), ...

The right amount of night time insulin in the amount you need to keep your blood sugar level when you don’t eat anything or exercise or are stressed, etc. Overnight is a good time to check this.

Ah right of course that would make sense. Thanks

 

[nonethewiser]

Hi everyone, is a banana a good snack to raise BG when nearing 4 or is something like an apple a better option ?

Either one really, both good source of vits so choice is yours, fancy treat good opportunity for biscuit.