Hello, newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic less than 2 weeks. Saw diabetic specialist nurses and cons for first time friday.

[Tdm]

I found i got down to needing 1 unit of meal time insulin for 3 or 4 gram carbs on low carb. Right now, on normal carb, i need 1 unit of insulin to between 13g carbs ( weekdays) and 20 (weekends). It changes week to week but thats where i am now. I get away with a low carb dinner as i am at work and really don't need hassle...

You may need different ratios for breakfast too. I tend to skip breakfast at weekends bit need about a unit or so to stop the rise you get at dawn.

I don't account for excercise, but eat sweets instead cos it helps with spontaneity...i mean, i could take less insulin, but what if it rains, or what if i want to keep going longer? Plus, i like sweets....

Incidentally, i find if i snack between meals, i take insulin for it but find that the snack food does not peak me like regular meals, even if the carbs are as high...it may be best not to snack too much at first until you have your ratios worked out

Low carb can also mean high fat. I was never really sure if an unbalanced diet was good, and my cholesterol levels look better now i am no longer low carb

 

[Inka]

I know, I probably do a bit of that already pre diagnosis it's just all the literature etc talks about weighing, measuring and calculating, I can see why, but I've ended up feeling slightly scared of food which is not healthy.

No, not healthy - and it can be really annoying to have to think about food so much. I try to look on it as part of the recipe - a step I do, just like the weighing and cooking steps. I do it automatically and objectively.

I had a fantastic booklet with really useful carb counts in when I was diagnosed. It said to measure rice (cooked) by tablespoons. I’ve always done that, and it’s quick and easy. Although it’s a pain in the bum, weighing and measuring does help, as it removes one variable of the many that can affect blood sugar.

 

[SB2015]

Sadly not young anymore

I was 53 at diagnosis, and found the Ragnar Hanas book very useful. I just ignored the chapter on starting school!!! Well worth a read.

So glad that you have found the forum. It is overwhelming at the start but definitely gets easier. With LADA our beta cells get destroyed gradually, making us feel more and more poorly. Eventually something, such as stress or illness, which requires some extra insulin prompts diagnosis, sometimes with DKA.

Keep the questions coming. Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.