Any Diabetic TE-ers?

[jillm]

I am. Type 2, last a1c was 8.2%. That was the first of July. I've starting taking it seriously and the only way I can manage my blood sugar is to ride regularly (or walk), eat 5-6 low carb little meals a day, and obsessively chart everything. It's going well as long as I write it all down and test my blood glucose before and after every meal.

After reading a lengthy thread on a diabetes forum about low carb diets I'm considering going lower carb. (right now it's 25-35 grams per meal, except for the pre-ride shake which is about 50g which covers me for a 1-2hr ride)

http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/583967:Topic:9608?x=1&id=583967%3ATopic%3A9608&page=1#comments

Anyway, I'm wondering what other diabetic cyclists do. Specifically type 2.

(also, just so you know, I always have my glucose monitor on rides, and something carby in case I go low. Hasn't happened yet!)

Thanks,
Jillm

[Triskeliongirl]

Hi, I am more like a mild type I than type 2 (I make less insulin than a normal person, but more than a typical type 1) but the end result is the same as yours, if I eat carbs my blood sugar goes too high for too long.

What is good though, is that as long as I exercise regularly and eat a very low carb diet I can maintain glucose homeostasis (A1C=5.1!!). I follow the diet in Dr. Bernstein's The Diabetes Solution. I do eat more of the higher carb veggies like carrots and tomatoes than he recommends (but never really starchy veggies like potatoes or fruits), but I use my blood sugar as a guide. My rule is that I can eat whatever I want as long as my blood sugar never goes above 120 (usually measured 60 min. post-meal) and goes back to under 100, 2 hours post-meal.

On the bike, I consume shakes made with Jay Robb Protein Powder (no carbs) and almonds (and have a good high protein pre-ride meal). You don't have to consume carbs on the bike for energy, you can also deamniate the amino acids in the protein drinks to carbon skeletons which feed into the TCA cycle to produce ATP (energy) in the muscle. Exercise lets you bypass your faulty insulin signaling pathway, and increase the number of glucose transporters on your cell membranes, facilitating glucose clearance.

I also find its better to eat 3 normal meals, with only a single snack if I am really hungry works best for me. The more frequently you eat, the more often you have to deal with the blood sugar rollercoaster.

If you are overweight, then this diet/exercise program will promote weight loss as well, which as a type II will improve your insulin sensitivity.

Do not follow my program without a doc's input, especially if you are on any medication since medication may need to be adjusted. It also takes some time to adapt, and get your body switched over from a carb burning machine to a fat burning machine, so give it time and good luck! -e

[GreatPaws]

I'm type 1- diagnosed at age 27- and am just starting getting back into riding. I haven't ridden since I was "normal" but I'm REALLY trying! It's just that I have to get into this sooooooooooooooooo sloooooooooooowly so I can adjust my insulin dose - and I am not known for my patience! I'm on a pump and cgms so I'm just waiting for my body to adjust. I joined a gym to help speed up this process.

I also already threw out a huge goal- to ride 30 miles as a Red Rider in our local Tour de Cure. http://main.diabetes.org/goto/Leann is my page...

I plan to blog on that site about my training from this "haven't ridden in years" stage to where 30 miles will be a breeze...haha... so stay tuned!

Would be great to meet other diabetics and swap tips!