Food for thought from a foodie living with type 1 diabetes

 

or 20 years, I have paid strict attention to almost every morsel of food I have put in my mouth. Nothing unusual there, everyone takes a keen interest in what they're eating. Well, most people do anyway. But whether I like it or not, I make sure I have a thorough understanding of what I'm about to scoff because I have type 1 diabetes. I’m always judging the correct dose of insulin I’m about to devour. At the very least, I will avoid a pesky post-meal spike in blood sugar.

A spike can stubbornly linger well after the dinner is done. A hyper will remain, wholly unwelcome for hours, threatening to take over my day. And Post-meal low blood sugar isn’t much fun either but it can be dealt with promptly. As long as there is some sugar to hand.

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Managing my blood sugar around mealtimes has always been a matter of trial and error.  When I was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes I was placed on an insulin that required me to inject it 20 minutes before my meal. I would have to wait while everyone around me got tucked in. Torture!

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A few years later I switched to what's known as fast-acting insulin.  Great! I can start eating immediately, just like everyone else. Or so I thought. I gradually learned, depending on my blood sugar level that waiting 10 to 15 minutes is a huge help in avoiding post-meal highs.

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I didn't understand carb counting for years but now I couldn't live without it. I didn't know that splitting doses was a thing for a long time (if you haven't heard about this, you must chat to your GP or healthcare team). These days it's crucial for me if I ever want to indulge in the occasional pizza. And let’s be honest, who doesn't?

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And then I had to start all over again when I switched from injections to pump therapy. Another steep learning curve. I cross-referenced various glucose metres, gadgets and carb-counting apps, wondering if I should split my insulin dose. By how much and for how long? The thought of eating at all, made my shoulders sink with all the added work I had to do. And I was scared of, inevitability not getting it right.

However, working out my doses became easier with time and practice. Practice does make perfect, when you’re practicing mealtime management multiple times a day!

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I'm not sure it's possible to completely avoid post-meal spikes in blood sugar, but the more I tune into my body and it's needs, and the more I practice with the trickier meal dishes, the better I get.

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I love cooking. I love eating out. I love restaurants. I love trying new things. I. Love. Food.

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My friends and I never face the same plate of food with exactly the same mind-set. They get to tuck in immediately while I have to stop and think and count and dose. And I’ve came to accept that is absolutely fine. I have, through practice got to a point where I can approach mealtimes with just as much joy as anyone else at the table.