Diabetes Management: The Real Challenges and How I Handle Them
Managing diabetes means not only discipline, but also coping with unpredictable fluctuations in blood sugar levels. One of the biggest challenges? Pizza. Its combination of carbohydrates and fat causes delayed, long-lasting blood sugar spikes that are difficult to control.
Last night I opted for pizza 🥹 . I calculated my insulin dose conscientiously, but hours later my blood sugar rose to 18 mmol/L. Despite corrections, the value remained high. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that my blood sugar stabilized, but the night was exhausting.
Why pizza is problematic
- High carbohydrate content: One slice contains 20-40g of carbohydrates, which cause blood sugar to rise quickly.
- High fat content: Fat slows down digestion, which leads to later, unpredictable rises in blood sugar.
- Insulin effect: A single dose can be either too low (hyperglycemia) or too high (hypoglycemia).
Strategies for better blood glucose management
- Divide the insulin: An initial dose before eating and further doses later.
- Measure regularly: Especially 3-5 hours after a meal.
- Use technology: Apps like Diabetes Diary Plus help with carbohydrate calculations and insulin planning.
Conclusion: Learn & customize
Diabetes requires patience and adaptation. There is no perfect strategy, but with experience and tools you can master difficult situations better. It is important not to get discouraged and to keep trying out new approaches.