Pasta Night and Type 1 Diabetes

[Christheatheist1]

You are doing a great job with Caleb's BG. Those postprandial values will even out as you learn what they do. Also, because he's so little, he's burning up a lot of carbs in the daytime and fewer at night. All the best!

[lsisto1]

@Christheatheist1 Thank you! That seems so long ago now. He's doing better than ever. All the best back to you!

[dejahthoris]

We were told do not correct at night unless he is over 200- then just a half correction. 

[lsisto1]

@dejahthoris I'm glad you are following the medical guidance (I assume it is medical guidance) you are receiving. There are many strategies to manage type 1 diabetes and we all need to find what works for us. All the best to you!

[DuncanBistro]

Keep on doing what you are doing. I am a type 1 diabetic and I am very impressed with your whole system. Eventually you, and he, will get to know his body really well and not have to do as much. This is a great gift to Caleb; you are making his life much easier. Also, Caleb is first and foremost a kid before a diabetic. I mean he is only. If the really crazy, bad food you eat is pasta with green beans and milk, you're awesome!!

[lsisto1]

@DuncanBistro What a lovely comment. Thank you so much. Your support means a great deal. :)

[Bronanski]

Thank you so much for posting such an informative video. I am 23 and have had type1 since I was 7. I started using a pump 2 years ago, but find that people can be judgemental about the amount of energy I have to put into diabetes on a daily basis - I intend on showing some of these people this video to make them realise that if pasta can cause this much confusion, surely they can see why I have to limit alcohol and the other things they want me to eat or drink!! Good luck to Caleb, he's great :)

[lsisto1]

@Bronanski Aw - thank you! Everything you said is so true. Helping people "get it" is one of the reasons I made this particular video. All the best to you and thanks for the comment!

[DesireeandDiabetes]

@Bronanski I agree Bronanski!

[TheBlakestersXooma]

The key thing we need to teach everyone Isisto1 is to stay hydrated and slightly alkalined. The Body only needs minerals, essential fatty acids, and enzymes to function properly. Well that and of course plenty of water and to eat healthy. I think your video is great and we want to help as many people as we can. We are having 100% success rate with diabetes. Let me know if you would like to know more about this miracle satchet of ours that you simply add to your bottled water.

[mikevillageidiot]

I have the same problem with my eight year old daughter. Pasta and corn dogs. Reading the comments most people don.t understand that the glucose is not showing up far hours in Calebs case it seems to be around 6 hours later. We will be looking into setting up a system like yours shortly. Thanks

[EmilyA1984]

What happens if you do the bolus before dinner, but then Caleb doesn't finish all his pasta, or conversely, if he wants seconds? Does that throw things off even more?

[HaligonianType1]

The main thing if you eats foods that havea high GI, try to have a balance, and stay active. Have foods with it that will slow the absorption of the glucose into his blood stream, etc, to avoid bad spikes. Look into high fat foods as well. There is a miconception all fats are bad for humans, and most are not. Anyway, take care. You may lose some of the battles, just make sure you win the war.

[xAcousticAngelx]

Is the omnipod not confusing having to press all the buttons? How did you make the table becuase thats incredible on how you work all the figures out. How do you work them out?

[jtaund]

I think it's great that you check on him like that. I wish I had someone like you to check on me. Maybe my sugars would be better in control. Shoot I need a spread sheet too..lol

[Bugzelot]

You may also want to consider doing say 60 percent of his bolus post meal, or right after, then the rest an hour later to cover the spike when eating high starch foods. You may want to look into post boluses, or a dual wave bolus for things such has pasta, and anything else made with white flour.

[Bugzelot]

BTW, pasta, pizza made with white flour, etc, are a nightmare for all diabetics. Remember to also factor in fibers, and subtract the grams. You can avoid all of these issues if you would simply drop the "white" foods. It isn't rocket science.

[gymnastbunny]

thnx diabetesgirl3145!:)

[benjmin54321]

about chineese food...chineese is very healthy for diabetics, lots of veg and normally steamed, however if you live in america everything has sugar even chineese food, if you make it yourself and know what your putting in then theres no sugar., i dont eat chineese either and find it very hard to only eat right foods, but i am learning and the more i learn the better a diabetic i get, my advice is try doing things only for yourself even if your an infant, try to keep levels low rather than high

[benjmin54321]

pasta is a bad food, unless its excellent whole pasta its a bad idea, white pasta is not that slow a food, and is very bad food for diabetic., in fact italian food is pretty bad in general, im diabetic+am 23, i had it for 2yrs now. in my opinion food should be veg+some meats + lot of proteins/fibre foods., i dont means to be patronising but the constant checking is over rated, the predictablity of the body has a lot of variance+depends on temprature, pscholgy and amount of exercise...good luck:)

[lsisto1]

Thanks for your posts. Your points are well taken. We do eat a healthy diet but I also try to ensure that Caleb is allowed to be a kid and since his favorite food is pasta, it's something I will allow from time to time. The "constant checking" as you put it, is necessary in this case. When Caleb has a food that affects his blood sugar irregularly, I need to check him routinely overnight. Overtime however, I have been able to refine his dosing for these foods to increase the predictability.

[benjmin54321]

ok.1 completely undersand about the kid and him liking pasta

2.constant checking is understandable in calebs case i just think that doctors are incorrect in advising this, i have discussed my opinions with many doctors, i met a diabetic in nepal who told me he never ever checks himself as he can feel+adjust himself without even checking, this technique is more natural less confusing and more elite, as i say in calebs case understandable but i beleive in my feel, there are many tells. thx 4repli

[lsisto1]

I can understand that. Caleb doesn't typically feel BG changes with the exception of lows. This particular case was not doctor directed, just my attempt to monitor his reaction to pasta so I could improve the accuracy in dosing. We have started eating Dreamfields which impacts his BG less, although I still need to add insulin later on. We've narrowed it down such that I can check him just once a night and he's usually close (within reason) to acceptable range. I'm glad your "feel" works well

[HaligonianType1]

@benjmin54321 Benjamin, I understand what you are saying. Most diabetics are hypo/hyper aware. However, never guess. There are so many mitigating factors that could effect your senses from day to day and to encourage someone not to test and to rely on your "feelings" is bad etiquette indeed. You NEVER guess. Always test. As for pasta, it is actually bad for anyone, unless it is whole wheat, or some kind of whole grain.

[DesireeandDiabetes]

@HaligonianType1 thanks for replying to benjmin54321 about the "BG Guessing" process, I was just about to say the same thing but then I saw your comment. Guessing your blood glucose is nonsense. Diabetics should not urge eachother to not test and or guess their BG based on how they feel. for me i might feel high at a 198 one day and the next day i feel perfectly normal at a 321, most of this D disease is very unpredictable. EVERYONE TEST, TEST, TEST and TEST again to maitain great control!

[HaligonianType1]

@DesireeandDiabetes Oh hey fellow diabetic subscriber. :p

[HaligonianType1]

@DesireeandDiabetes Oh, and yes, I felt very obligated to make sure it is never safe to guess.

[BKTS2578]

There is no bad food at our house. McKenzie is 9 and also allowed to be a kid. She loves pasta We try to make extra meat balls and like you use the green beans and things on pasta nights. The whole milk helps but Pasta nights are must haves at our house not too often but enough that she does not feel like we are skipping anything because of diabetes we will never give it that power. We Love your videos and are getting our first pump next week YAY very excited. Take care Brandy, McKenzie's Mom

[benjmin54321]

@BKTS2578  no offence but your attitude stinks., pasta is lethal

[gymnastbunny]

hey great video btw!:) i dont have type 1 diabetes but im not sure because im always thirsty and hungry. although, i have celiac and im 13 years old. so i was wondering if u think i should get checked out. thnx wright back!:)

[DiabetesGirl3145]

You should defiantly get checked out. Diabetes is a very dangerous condition and if you actually do have it, things can and will take a turn for the worse. Tell your parents right away. Many people with one problem with their endocrine system, such as celiac, often develop another one, such as diabetes. You should defiantly go to a doctor asap, good luck, I hope that you are ok.

[NYR4lifexx4]

hi caleb. you are truly an inspiration i have type 1 diabetes.. and well its not fun.. but you handle it so well and i would just like to say thank you. anyway.. caleb you are very lucky to have such a good mother that helps you. keep going strong

[lsisto1]

Caleb is about 15 - because of size and age much less than adults. I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I as well had no clue. I assumed the insulin would be regulated - I had no idea the complexity involved. "Stay strong" back atcha!

[rankinreddevils]

i have seen alot of your videos and i must say supermom at its best. How much units does he take a day. I take 21units of humolog and 32 of lantus but am 21 yrs old. I just became diabetic two months ago and i must say i try and keep in touch with what is going on with the world but somehow missed this until i was diagnosed. You never really know what people go through until you are them. Except for you since i can tell you walk every step with him. Stay strong and pray for a cure.

[TypeOneDiabetes]

Wow, .70 for paster over 2 hours? you won't believe how much insulin it takes me to cover the pasta. I am a type 1 on the omnipod. I have had diabetes for a 11 years. I would probably bolus 14 units of insulin for that pasta. (still with high bs in the end). Try spaghetti squash.. If you have never tasted it you may cringe at the thought, but it is very good and when mixed with meatballs and spaghetti sauce you can almost not tell a difference.

[lsisto1]

lol Well Caleb's daily dose is only about 14 units in total. An extra .70 just about doubles the entire bolus. We do the same thing with pizza and chinese. I hear when he goes through puberty his insulin needs will go through the roof. Those will be fun times! Someone else recommended squash. I should try it. Although Dreamfields has been somewhat manageable. :)

[jojoluv976]

after u pull the trigger to poke a hole in Caleb's foot , don't it feels pain ?

[lsisto1]

No more than a finger stick and in this case less since he's asleep and sleeps right through it.

[DiabetesGirl3145]

Wow, you are really a great mom. I guess for younger kids the parents really have to be more involved. I still can't belive that you stayed up through the entire night! Caleb probobly dosen't realize this now, but when he grows up he will thank you.

[butterflygirl102]

looks pretty simple. im going to meet with my doctor next week to got my a1c checked and see if i am ready for a pump (witch i soooo am) .im a snacker so i really want a pump so im not worrying about what my blood sugar will be if i eat some chex mix 2hours after eating a meal. (i hate doing shots for a 1/4 of a cup of peanuts)my blood sugar hasten been the best lately and i often forget to wright my bs down. so im worried that i wont get approved. how hard was it for him to get approved?

[lsisto1]

It all depends on your medical insurance. We were fortunate - we had no trouble at all. We were approved upon initial request. Good luck!

[butterflygirl102]

did you have to wright down his blood sugar and carbs and insulin intake for approval?

[lsisto1]

I had all that info available for our regular endo appt. They sent that in with the medical necessity form. I think it was a requirement.

[SethiGirl]

Hi I've been a type 1 for just over six years...I know the feeling of the pasta nights. I fear it some nights...Lol ...Chinese food seems to give me some trouble as well.

[DiabetesGirl3145]

Chineese is the worst for me. I always get high because there is so much sugar in everything! Somtimes I go to bed right after chineese food. My blood sugar will be a little high, so I give myself a correction. When I wake up i am like 300! It must be a combination of the long acting carbs and dawn phenomina. I try and stay away from it.

[laptopsarebest]

i dont think i have heard of that in australia. If any one in australia has a great type of pasta like Dreamfields i will run to the shops to get it.

[laptopsarebest]

i also dreed pasta night. It scares me.i dont know what level to expect.

[lsisto1]

We tried Dreamfields.  It seemed a little more manageable after a couple tries. I bolused about 50% when he ate and about 50% 5 hours later and we had a good night. But who knows what will happen next time!

[laptopsarebest]

is that a crack in caleb's PDM

[lsisto1]

Yep, that's a crack. We got it replaced shortly thereafter.

[cjwKILLEDcool]

i didn't understand the numbers for the glucose thingy, i work by anything between 4-7 is good, below 4=hypo, between 7-13=not bad but still high and 13+=hyper!!

[lsisto1]

For Caleb bt 80 and 120 is good, under 80 we will typically have to treat, and over 140 will correct, over 200 most definitely correct. And we have found that Barilla Plus and Dreamfields pastas do not impact Caleb's BG as significantly. There are not perfect, but much, much better than regular pasta. YDMV :)

[webyourworld]

I just got diagnosed with type 1 & I'm 20. Now I'm scared... I love pasta.

[tinkerloverr22]

i was diagnosed about 10 months ago, && i LOVE pasta, i still eat it but in moderations. I havent been to Macaroni Gril since my diagnosis :(, I can eat ice cream like crazy and my bs wont be high, bu if i eat protein it will be high! i think im coming out of the honey moon stage! have you considered an insulin pump? you are so much more free!

[1HappyDiabetic]

What a great overview of Diabetes on just "your average Pasta night"

[richpickins]

ive replaced all pastas with bean sprouts, they taste great in a bolonase..

[lsisto1]

Interesting suggestion! It's worth a try...

[luvmuffine09]

my dad buys this special low carb organic pasta so i can eat more of it, and it doesnt efect my blood sugar level

[lsisto1]

We've recently found that Barrilla Plus (yellow box) works like normal food for Caleb. It's been a great find for us - no more extended boluses for pasta night! I know it doesn't work for everyone though.

[MidnightButterfly222]

did you build that spreadsheet yourself or is it part of the pod upload logs?

[MidnightButterfly222]

oh my word, you poor thing you barely slept a wink! ..lucky him!, and by the way I Adore your idea of that log sheet you're doing with the bolus timing trials and you're probably getting huge progress in doing that. IT'S GENIOUS!!!!! i'm so gonna have to follow your lead on this! way to go!

[timnshann]

We have the same struggles with pasta but we tried "Dreamfields" and it really doesn't have that spike. It seems to release very slowly and steady.

Shannon (mom of Blake, 6 years old)