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by Carol11
July 3, 2009 3:07 PM
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Last edited 4 months ago

In the absence of a CGM (can't afford one) I tracked my readings very frequently for a whole day-a vial of strips is cheaper than a monitor! Sore fingers were a side effect. Anyway, I know I spike badly after breakfast but
I wanted to see how badly. I've debated showing all the numbers but I don't want to reveal just how badly I'm doing. I was within range before eating so I had my normal breakfast-cereal, 1/2c oj & whole wheat toast-47g (I'm allowed 45 to 60-but I rarely go that high for any meal), so reading @ every 15 min and started out gradually and the after an hour above 235 which I know is far too high, I went for my walk and things gradually came back down again so By lunch I was back down to "normal" range. So I think I gave myself the correct dose of NovoRapid as mumbers pre-meal are OK for me. My question is how to avoid such a high spike after breakfast without taking so much insulin that by lunch I wouldn't be too low. I really think the thyroid med I have to take an hour before breakfast is playing havoc with this. The rest of the day's meals & numbers were within range. Thanks to anyone ho can be of any help. We only have CDE office in town at the hospital and all they ever say is that they don't have any orders so do what I think is best. Well, I'm trying but still having problems. Thanks, Carol

Tags: bs numbers

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John Crowley	John Crowley replied July 3, 2009 3:29 PM Last edited 4 months ago First of all, you've done a great thing by really tracking closely to see what's going on with your body. And now that you know about when your blood sugar spikes post meal, you really don't need to test so frequently to check again to see if you're improving--so that's a great benefit already. I think the solution is pretty simple. Your breakfast is almost pure carbohydrates. Adding a little bit of protein--as a bare minimum step--will help slow down the absorption of the carbs. But better yet, choose a breakfast that's more like 25 carbs or less. Switching from 1/2 cup OJ to 1/2 cup of skim milk cuts down 6 or 7 grams and adds some protein. Having a small omelet (even healthier if you use an Egg Beaters-type egg substitute) and one slice of high-fiber whole wheat toast should bring your carb count down to a total under 20. And if you're still spiking, try cutting out the toast altogether. Maybe adding some cottage cheese or something to help replace the calories. Making that kind of change would (or should) definitely help avoid that after-breakfast spike. And you should go back to the CDE and tell them what you've seen from your testing and ask them to help you design a meal plan. That's crazy that they said they need "orders" to be able to help. Add your reply Flag as Inappropriate

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John Crowley

John Crowley replied July 3, 2009 3:29 PM

Last edited 4 months ago

First of all, you've done a great thing by really tracking closely to see what's going on with your body. And now that you know about when your blood sugar spikes post meal, you really don't need to test so frequently to check again to see if you're improving--so that's a great benefit already.

I think the solution is pretty simple. Your breakfast is almost pure carbohydrates. Adding a little bit of protein--as a bare minimum step--will help slow down the absorption of the carbs. But better yet, choose a breakfast that's more like 25 carbs or less. Switching from 1/2 cup OJ to 1/2 cup of skim milk cuts down 6 or 7 grams and adds some protein. Having a small omelet (even healthier if you use an Egg Beaters-type egg substitute) and one slice of high-fiber whole wheat toast should bring your carb count down to a total under 20. And if you're still spiking, try cutting out the toast altogether. Maybe adding some cottage cheese or something to help replace the calories.

Making that kind of change would (or should) definitely help avoid that after-breakfast spike.

And you should go back to the CDE and tell them what you've seen from your testing and ask them to help you design a meal plan. That's crazy that they said they need "orders" to be able to help.