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carb free day?

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bev

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Hi all,
It will be Alex's birthday soon (April) and we have organised for him and some friends to go to a forest to make a shelter, make some tools, build a fire and cook their own food.( bbq food like sausages and burgers and chicken).
Alex has said he wants to have the whole day carb free so he doesnt need to inject. So far, i havent given him a totally carb free meal - so i know it sounds silly but - will it affect his levels at all!
I think he wants to feel 'one of the crowd' by not having to inject!
How often do you have carb free meals and does it affect your levels?🙂Thanks. Bev
 
If you're confident that his basal rate is ok then there shouldn't be a problem. Of course if he's doing more activity then 'free'(as in not covered by insulin) carbs may be necessary.
 
What an interesting idea by Alex - hope it goes well. Barbequed sweet corn cobs, grilled courgettes, celery & carrot sticks with dips would also be virtually carbohydrate fee as well as meat, but some sausages contain quite a bit of starch. But he'll probably need some carbohydrate to cover his activity - and most kids expect some cake, crisps etc at a party. But I would ask for specific advice from your diabetes team, particulalry as it's relatively recent since Alex's diagnosis.
One of my jobs is organising birthday parties for children in a country park - including orienteering, treasure hunts, nature trails, pond dipping, building dens, visiting Highland cattle etc depending on the interests of the children attending. They seem to enjoy it as much as me!
 
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Good luck with the carb free day, but would like to say very happy birthday to Alex.

As an aside when I was talking about going vegetarian my son also wanted to join me so we had a meat free day. There are plenty of meat free meals you can have, and my son who was about 12 at the time was upset he couldn't have things like burgers or sausages.
 
Hi Bev

Yesterday, for the first time since diagnosis (Nov 07), I had a lunch time meal where the low amount of carbs meant I did not have to cover with insulin. I was quite nervous about it for some reason, but my levels remained fine. Apparently I get quite cranky if I don't eat regularly or go low (or so my partner assures me) but she confirms I was fine yesterday.

As others have mentioned, you need to make sure that Alex has enough carbs to cover the activities - even if it is just the odd snack. I know it is different for each person but I find 10g carbs raises my blood glucose by about 3mmol so I don't take insulin for that if I just want to give myself a boost.

It sounds like a great day out
 
Hi Matts,

Thanks for that - i dont know why i am nervous of him having a carb free meal -because logically it should'nt have any effect should it? But its reassuring to know that you too were worried about doing it - and that it all worked out fine! Thanks.🙂Bev
 
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