Snacks suitable for Type-1

[CadyEastman]

We're going away in the summer in a group. One of the group hasn't been with us before and has been diagnosed with Type-1 last year.

In the evening we usually have snacks whilst we play cards/watch the sunset.

So what snacks can we take this year? I don't want them to feel as though they're missing out, they will be the youngest member of the group.

So far all I can think of is olives (they do like olives), nuts and those cheese & chorizo rollitos.

I can imagine why your DD was upset. I was thinking that as the snacks will probably be a couple of hours after dinner that they might need to be low carb? I know he can eat all the yummy stuff we do but was worried about evening snacks. Am I right in thinking that they need to be low carb?

That's great advice but I can't imagine anything worse than a grazing board! One of the group has ARFID and would rather die than eat food which has been touched by other people and another is allergic to milk so could eat anything that's been near the cheese!

You're right though, I'd just ask their Mum

We can eat whatever we want! Especially when on the pump! If he’s recently diagnosed he may still be on MDI. How old is this guy?

He's 15, was diagnosed last Summer and has been told he can have the pump this Summer but I don't think he'll get it before our trip unfortunately.

T1 diabetics can eat the same as everyone else. The most important thing to remember that most carb count to calculate their correct insulin ratios so things in small packets (like crisps)that have the weight and nutritional info on are really appreciated. Also keep the packets for items that are out on plates or bowls (ie things like bread rolls) so that the carbohydrates can be seen and calculated. We always really appreciate it when people remember to do this.

Anything, my ds8 is type one and can have anything he fancies long as he has insulin.

The one thing I'd stay away from is pizza really as it's a mind field dosing for it correctly!

Oh god yes, pizza @MeMyCatsAndMyBooks , what a bloody nightmare. It seems to have a much longer lasting affect on blood sugars than any other form of food known to exist. My two are still trying to get correction doses sorted out the following day after eating pizza.

Otherwise agree with PPs, if the DC is used to carb counting and dialling up to cover what he has eaten, then you don't need to make special allowances for him. Lovely that you are thinking like this, though 😀

Lovely of you to be so thoughtful. I've been T1 for over 15 years now and although I can dose insulin for snacks, the lower carb the better for me as there is always a margin of error/variability in carb count even in manufactured goods (I think they are legally allowed to be 10% or even 20% out in their estimate of carb count etc) and also in how your body absorbs the carbs, especially when away from home or with unfamiliar food, so a 10% error off a small number is easier to deal with in terms of an absolute number of insulin units than 10% of a big number.

Many diabetics will need to dose insulin for protein too as it can be turned into sugar by the body (gluconeogenesis to be precise), and many diabetics will be concerned about overnight lows especially away from home.

Do they have a continuous glucose monitor and is it set to wake them with an alarm in the case of lows?

Do they have a continuous glucose monitor and is it set to wake them with an alarm in the case of lows?

Yes they do, the alarm goes off if his DM's phone so I'd prefer it if she didn't get woken and can enjoy her holiday too 🙂

There are only two snacks that are unsuitable for T1 diabetes:

poison
cookies laced with poison

you can add alcohol to the unsuitable list if the snacks are for an under 18

everything else is suitable. If it comes in a packet, save the wrapper in case they want to look at the carbs

Don’t worry about that, the alarm will likely go off regardless of snack choices. It’s the way diabetes works.

Don’t worry about that, the alarm will likely go off regardless of snack choices. It’s the way diabetes works

I know. Even though I've worked with colleagues with Type-1, I've never before fully comprehended how difficult it can be to manage.

Ask him what snacks he wants at 15 h will probably managing his Diabetes himself ,my son was diagnosed a year ago at 16 ,qnd knows better than me what helps keep him stable and what shoots his blood sugars up.

If my son needs a snack on the go without raiding his levels too much he has mini breadsticks, lentil crisps or individual packets of nuts. I think some people have rice cakes

I would just discuss what snacks he would like with the him/Mum as everyone manages it differently. Personally I just work out the carbs and would give insulin for it. Some might prefer lower carb and others just inject. I must admit I find it quiet annoying when people assume my daughter can't just eat what she wants the same as everyone else. Often get ( well meaning) comments on shouldn't she be eating that or you shouldn't offer her that she can't have it. Better to just ask what he would like without mentioning diabetes.

I wouldn't worry about alarms going off and trying to give the Mum a break as it is unfortunately just part of life 24hrs a day as sad as that is. Even with a great understanding of managing the condition alarms go off. Eating low carb before bed won't guarantee no highs or lows ( although it might help)