First, I'm not a doctor. But I will be monitoring Papa's sugar levels and adjusting his insulin in with the amount of sugar and carbs he will ingesting this holiday season. My Papa will not go without enjoying his favorite homemade sweet potato pie. At 97 1/2 years old. I would never. That being said I am well educated on insulin Use. 24/7 we fill scripts abroad for doctors and pharmacist. If you lived in UK. We would be who you would be talking to on the hotline. So if you are a caretaker, please ignore this post. (THIS IS JUST A SIDE BAR FOR THOSE WHO ARE CARETAKERSS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND WELL-VERSED ON INSULIN.
Can a diabetic eat a lot of sugar and just take more insulin?
Can a diabetic eat a lot of sugar and just take more insulin?
I am answering this question with respect to type 1 diabetes.
But the answer is yes, one can do that but there are consequences.
Insulin is expensive.
Excess use of insulin can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes overlying type 1 diabetes. That usually means more insulin is required.
Such habits will lead to significant weight gain. Insulin doesn’t destroy glucose, it causes it to be stored, frequently as fat.
Excess consumption of carbohydrates, like sugar, will make it more difficult to keep blood glucose in the normal range. This will lead to some serious health consequences.
Yes, a diabetic can account for an occasional candy bar with a higher bolus of insulin. But it should be a very rare occasion and not something that is done every day.
Insulin should be a part of good blood glucose control along with diet and exercise. And that should be part of a plan set up by an endocrinologist and diabetic nutritionist.