Nutrition

George, Are you a type 2? I am thinking this as you are able to go off medication. Also because you can 'snack'. (How I wish) For those who are confused, think of insulin as a key that unlocks the door to every cell in your body to allow your blood sugars or fuel in. Type 1 do not have a key. Their pancreas simply does not make any insulin and therefore must they must inject insulin daily. Type 2's make lots of keys, only their keys are like putty and need help getting the keys to work. They can be managed on a combination of diet, exercise and medications. Both must test their blood sugars several times a day. Both must watch and count their daily carb intake, as well as fat, proteins etc. When I train, go on a long bike ride or compete in a marathon swim, I eat enough carbs (and protein if the event is longer than 2 hours), every 45 mins to keep my energy up, and my sugar levels in the 'safe for exercise' range. I do however have insulin on board as well, although not quite the same amount as if I wasn't exercising. IF I didn't then it is difficult to use those carbs, I would not be able to eat enough and would then breakdown muscle etc for fuel. When exercising I must test by taking a blood sample from my finger and measuring this before during and after all training, exercising and competing. This adds considerable time to my events, (for example my last 26km marathon swim my testing accounted for 24 minutes ) but I am happy to be able to enter and finish as well as I can. You see, I cannot 'fuel up' without knowing what my levels are. Very mathematical and a matter of tricky calculation. Better to cross the finish line, than to be hauled out. When I am finished what ever event or training, cross training etc then I will eat a carb and protein meal with my insulin to replace the glycogen and fuel I used up. Raise your glass in Mexico and enjoy your holiday. (Hard spirits have no carbs, it's the mix you have to watch!!! Happy training. Nice to meet another diabetic swimmer! Happy to answer any questions from other diabetics or coaches. Kiwi ps, Swimming Bill, thanks for the recipies. I'm going to make this one for lunch and will bring some to munch with some veges during part of my dryland training tomorrow. Great source of protein and carbs. Thanks again, keep posting more tasty treats!

George, Are you a type 2? I am thinking this as you are able to go off medication. Also because you can 'snack'. (How I wish) For those who are confused, think of insulin as a key that unlocks the door to every cell in your body to allow your blood sugars or fuel in. Type 1 do not have a key. Their pancreas simply does not make any insulin and therefore must they must inject insulin daily. Type 2's make lots of keys, only their keys are like putty and need help getting the keys to work. They can be managed on a combination of diet, exercise and medications. Both must test their blood sugars several times a day. Both must watch and count their daily carb intake, as well as fat, proteins etc. When I train, go on a long bike ride or compete in a marathon swim, I eat enough carbs (and protein if the event is longer than 2 hours), every 45 mins to keep my energy up, and my sugar levels in the 'safe for exercise' range. I do however have insulin on board as well, although not quite the same amount as if I wasn't exercising. IF I didn't then it is difficult to use those carbs, I would not be able to eat enough and would then breakdown muscle etc for fuel. When exercising I must test by taking a blood sample from my finger and measuring this before during and after all training, exercising and competing. This adds considerable time to my events, (for example my last 26km marathon swim my testing accounted for 24 minutes ) but I am happy to be able to enter and finish as well as I can. You see, I cannot 'fuel up' without knowing what my levels are. Very mathematical and a matter of tricky calculation. Better to cross the finish line, than to be hauled out. When I am finished what ever event or training, cross training etc then I will eat a carb and protein meal with my insulin to replace the glycogen and fuel I used up. Raise your glass in Mexico and enjoy your holiday. (Hard spirits have no carbs, it's the mix you have to watch!!! Happy training. Nice to meet another diabetic swimmer! Happy to answer any questions from other diabetics or coaches. Kiwi ps, Swimming Bill, thanks for the recipies. I'm going to make this one for lunch and will bring some to munch with some veges during part of my dryland training tomorrow. Great source of protein and carbs. Thanks again, keep posting more tasty treats!