Counting the Carbs

[Banksie]

Hi, I am on newly prescribed medication to help lower my Blood Glucose (Insulin injections once daily). I have been Type 2 for 14 years or more and I feel like I have reached Diabetes Blowout and am feeling very low.
Im trying to get my head round counting carbs. Can anyone advise which Carbs I should be counting from the food packaging, it it Carbs or "of which are sugars"
I would welcome any feedback

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Banksie 🙂 What’s the name of the insulin you take (full name inc any letters or numbers)?

It’s the total carbs you count, but if you’re on insulin do be careful with any changes to your diet as if you reduce carbs you could have a hypo.

 

[Tdm]

Yes, its total carbs
I if you get food for books/info from america or outside the uk (eg american websites, you tube) do bear in mind they record carbs differently..a give away is if they refer to net carbs...best stick to uk based info

 

[Inka]

Just realised I didn’t respond to your burnout bit @Banksie Please do feel free to moan or rant here. Diabetes can be relentless and exhausting. We all understand. Pace yourself, be kind to yourself and take one day at a time.

 

[Banksie]

Welcome @Banksie 🙂 What’s the name of the insulin you take (full name inc any letters or numbers)?

It’s the total carbs you count, but if you’re on insulin do be careful with any changes to your diet as if you reduce carbs you could have a hypo.

Hi its Humulin 1. Thanks for the info, I need to get to grips with the Carbs side of things before I make any changes to the diet with consultation with my Diabetic Nurse.

 

[Banksie]

Yes, its total carbs
I if you get food for books/info from america or outside the uk (eg american websites, you tube) do bear in mind they record carbs differently..a give away is if they refer to net carbs...best stick to uk based info

Thanks

 

[Banksie]

Just realised I didn’t respond to your burnout bit @Banksie Please do feel free to moan or rant here. Diabetes can be relentless and exhausting. We all understand. Pace yourself, be kind to yourself and take one day at a time.

Thank you Inka, its good to know, as I feel its got to the point where ive had enough and want to give up.

 

[Inka]

Hi its Humulin 1. Thanks for the info, I need to get to grips with the Carbs side of things before I make any changes to the diet with consultation with my Diabetic Nurse.

Ok - that’s not a number 1 it’s a small letter i 🙂 It stands for ‘isophane’ and is a basal/slow-acting insulin. Are you taking it in the morning or at night?

What you could do is keep notes about what you’re eating as that will help you and the nurse to work out what’s best for you. If you can add the carb amounts to your notes, that would be good. Something like a slice of bread can vary hugely in carbs, so look at the packet and see the carb info per slice and jot it down too. To start with, it would be best if you keep to similar amounts of carbs for breakfast each day, and lunch, etc. So, if you normally have a sandwich for lunch, have that every day and just vary the filling. That will bring some consistency to your meals and help you get control of your blood sugar.

Make sure you have hypo treatments with you at all times eg Dextro glucose tablets, jelly babies, etc.

 

[Inka]

Thank you Inka, its good to know, as I feel its got to the point where ive had enough and want to give up.

Don’t give up. You can do this, I’m sure. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. You’re not walking this path alone 🙂

 

[Tdm]

Don’t give up. You can do this, I’m sure. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. You’re not walking this path alone 🙂

Yes, we're all here for you

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you Inka, its good to know, as I feel its got to the point where ive had enough and want to give up.

Sorry to hear you have been experiencing a period of diabetes distress / burnout.

It’s not at all uncommon, and it‘s an experience shared by many here over the years - so do feel free to keep sharing. You are among people who ‘get it’.

There is some more info on burnout/distress here

What is diabetes distress and burnout?

Diabetes distress is what some people feel when they’re overwhelmed by the relentlessness of diabetes. This can lead to diabetes burnout. The way you react to things and the emotions you feel can vary for different people. You might feel frustrated, guilty, sad or worried. Sometimes you might...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Had your levels been running high before you started on insulin? Elevated BGs can have a negative impact on mood, both by the frustration of diabetes management not working as you’d hope, but also physiologically high BGs are associated with low mood, and fatigue which makes it harder to summon the energy to sort them out.

Hopefully the insulin will help get your levels more in-range, which should help your mood too?