I wanted to clarify that my intention was not to scramble your brain with mathematics, but only to show off my math skills. No, wait... that wasn't the goal either. I'm not really sure what the goal was, but it certainly wasn't to confuse anyone. In reality, all the calculations are easy (once you know how/why/when/zen), but writing them all at once even made my brain hurt. It's more difficult to explain than to DO.
I also wanted to note that of course not everything I eat has a label. So I do a lot of estimating, particularly when I go out to restaurants. Roasted chicken on a bed of risotto does not have the ADA exchange rate listed on the underside of the plate (or DOES it?!). After a short time, I got very good at the guessing and estimating. Naturally, sometimes the guessing is a bit off, but that's to be expected. A salad with apple slices for example- I think of the carbs in an apple (average 25grams) and check out about how many slices on the salad- probably about a whole apple, so that's 25grams right there. Maybe there are some crispy tortilla strips on that salad too! A whole small tortilla would be about 25grams of carbs also, and I'd bet that about 3/4ths of the tortilla was on the salad, so I'd add 20grams. Then I'd factor in a couple grams here and there for dressing, cheese (goat cheese for this salad thankyouverymuch), etc... so for this fictitious (but delicious, no?) salad, I would take about 5 or 6 units of insulin (because there were about 50-60 grams of carbs in it).
Anyway... don't be confused, count your foods (or I will)!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Math Lesson
Perhaps it's time for some technical information, mmm? Perhaps it's not, but here it comes. So as I've mentioned there are a few different types of insulin, and the 'fast acting' Humalog is what you're going to learn about right now! So exciting.
A healthy blood sugar target is around 80-150mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter, I've gone cross-eyed). If your (my) blood sugar is over that, it needs to be 'corrected.' That's where exercise can come in, but typically insulin takes that job. Each person's body is different and processes the insulin differently, so the 'correction factor' is different. There will be a quiz at the end of this post about how many times I used the word 'different' so pay attention. What you do first is determine the correction factor with your doctor, then decide on a target blood sugar, and that's where the fun math comes in! My correction factor is 50 (I'm going to be honest, I don't remember what that even means... it's just 50. That will have to suffice for now). My target blood sugar is 100mg/dL. Before you run away, let me give you an example: Let's say I check my blood sugar and it's at 250mg/dL, sacre bleu! No fear. Equation is as follows: actual blood sugar (250) minus blood sugar I correct to (100) then divide by 50 (correction factor) = 3. So what? 3. Congratulations. Neat number. No, no, it's more than that. That 3 means I have to take 3 extra units of Humalog in order to get my blood sugar to the wonderful 100mg/dL I want it to be! Not too bad? Still with me?
Next science tidbit is counting carbohydrates! That is how I determine how many units of Humalog I take with each meal. For anyone who's done Weight Watchers, you'd be surprised to know it is QUITE similar to diabetes and its carb-counting regimen. The American Diabetes Association once upon a time determined that "one" carbohydrate = 15 grams of carbs. Ask me how many carbs per serving on just about anything, I'll tell you without lookin! Anyway, when I have a meal, I look at the carbohydrates in the nutrition information (luckily the world is coming around and posting nutrition information in more and more places) and assess/mathematize from there. Example time! Let's go with a Nature Valley granola bar (a staple in my diet). The serving size is 2 bars (which come in one packet), and there are 29grams of carbs in that serving. I determined with my doctor that to maintain my healthy blood sugar, my body needs 1 unit of insulin per 10 grams of carbs. Ipso facto, if I eat that granola bar, I take (rounded) 3 units of insulin. 30grams of carbohydrates = 3 units of insulin (for Olivia).
Next time you read a label, there's a good chance you'll see at the bottom the "ADA Exchange". On the granola bar box it says the ADA Exchange is "2" because remember that 15grams of carbohydrates = "one" carbohydrate, that's why the granola bar is 2. Not every brand of food is associate with the ADA, but the ones that are will have this information listed on their label, rather convenient! This all makes sense to me because I learned it and have been living it. Don't fret if your head is spinning. And if it's not spinning, hats off to you and your non-spinning head beneath them!
Bullet points:
-15grams of carbs = "one" exchange in the ADA world
-Blood sugar correction factor
-Math is fun (no it's not)
Happy Tuesday!
A healthy blood sugar target is around 80-150mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter, I've gone cross-eyed). If your (my) blood sugar is over that, it needs to be 'corrected.' That's where exercise can come in, but typically insulin takes that job. Each person's body is different and processes the insulin differently, so the 'correction factor' is different. There will be a quiz at the end of this post about how many times I used the word 'different' so pay attention. What you do first is determine the correction factor with your doctor, then decide on a target blood sugar, and that's where the fun math comes in! My correction factor is 50 (I'm going to be honest, I don't remember what that even means... it's just 50. That will have to suffice for now). My target blood sugar is 100mg/dL. Before you run away, let me give you an example: Let's say I check my blood sugar and it's at 250mg/dL, sacre bleu! No fear. Equation is as follows: actual blood sugar (250) minus blood sugar I correct to (100) then divide by 50 (correction factor) = 3. So what? 3. Congratulations. Neat number. No, no, it's more than that. That 3 means I have to take 3 extra units of Humalog in order to get my blood sugar to the wonderful 100mg/dL I want it to be! Not too bad? Still with me?
Next science tidbit is counting carbohydrates! That is how I determine how many units of Humalog I take with each meal. For anyone who's done Weight Watchers, you'd be surprised to know it is QUITE similar to diabetes and its carb-counting regimen. The American Diabetes Association once upon a time determined that "one" carbohydrate = 15 grams of carbs. Ask me how many carbs per serving on just about anything, I'll tell you without lookin! Anyway, when I have a meal, I look at the carbohydrates in the nutrition information (luckily the world is coming around and posting nutrition information in more and more places) and assess/mathematize from there. Example time! Let's go with a Nature Valley granola bar (a staple in my diet). The serving size is 2 bars (which come in one packet), and there are 29grams of carbs in that serving. I determined with my doctor that to maintain my healthy blood sugar, my body needs 1 unit of insulin per 10 grams of carbs. Ipso facto, if I eat that granola bar, I take (rounded) 3 units of insulin. 30grams of carbohydrates = 3 units of insulin (for Olivia).
Next time you read a label, there's a good chance you'll see at the bottom the "ADA Exchange". On the granola bar box it says the ADA Exchange is "2" because remember that 15grams of carbohydrates = "one" carbohydrate, that's why the granola bar is 2. Not every brand of food is associate with the ADA, but the ones that are will have this information listed on their label, rather convenient! This all makes sense to me because I learned it and have been living it. Don't fret if your head is spinning. And if it's not spinning, hats off to you and your non-spinning head beneath them!
Bullet points:
-15grams of carbs = "one" exchange in the ADA world
-Blood sugar correction factor
-Math is fun (no it's not)
Happy Tuesday!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
College
I get a little overwhelmed thinking back on how much was going on before I went to college. I had been living with diabetuss for about 2 months before I left for school. TWO MONTHS!! That is so absurd I'm not sure how I did it. And I wasn't going to school down the street, I was attending James Madison University... a 600 mile hop-skip-and-a-jump away from home. I honestly don't remember thinking much about whether or not I would still go to JMU, just thinking more along the lines of being really scared. There were certainly 'if' thoughts rolling around though. The final decision was indeed to buck up and go out to Virginia to begin my college career!
A typical college freshman has a lot to think about. A college freshman 600 miles from home and relearning how to live with diabetes has juuust a couple extra things to think about. I had to make sure there was a pharmacy nearby where I could refill and pick up my prescriptions (whew, CVS down the road... that I rode my bike to from my dorm), had to schedule classes that followed my medicine's schedule (a little bit more difficult). The insulin I was taking when I first started the diabetes regimen was the 'you-have-to-eat-lunch-4-hours-after-you-take-it' insulin, so I had to work around that. When I think back to my first semester and my class/food schedule, I almost have to laugh... then give myself a high five. James Madison's campus is huge. I had a class that let out at probably 11:50 or so, and it was at the tippy top of campus. Then I had to make it to just about the bottom of campus for a 12:00 class. And somehow I had to eat. Let me tell you, the first 10 minutes my 12:00 math class involved brow-wiping and heavy breathing. Oh, and sandwich eating. What I would have to do is use one of my meal plan "punches" (I can't even think of a synonym... ticket maybe?) the night before and get a to-go sandwich, and bring that with me for those sweaty/breathey math class days. After a couple weeks of being late to class, I went to Walmart and bought a bike. That made my downhill trek much faster (going from the bottom of campus back up turned my freshman quadriceps to STEEL!).
So the insulin timing with food and class and all that junk is one thing. Then there's that whole "you're in college, let's get drunk!" business. First of all, I never drank in high-school so it wasn't something I did to begin with. My lettuce-recommending-parents weren't strict about drinking and things like that (but weren't willy-nilly either, in their defense), so I wasn't aching to rebel and drink my face off the first chance I got. Also, there was that whole diabetes thing, remember? I forgot too. Binge drinking is dangerous for anyone. Binge drinking for somebody with diabetes is even more dangerous because (and I remember a nurse telling me this and I haven't forgotten it since) if my blood sugar dipped low enough that I passed out, an untrained/unaware eye would think, "Oh she's just passed out drunk" when in fact it was diabetic shock. RUH ROH. That is bad news bears. So, freshman year I think I might've had three drinks... total. In 180 days. I was petrified to drink anything. I thank my stars and garters that my angel of a roommate was in the same non-drinking boat as I was. We had the best year together just staying low key. As a matter of fact, we continued to live together for all 4 years of college! Love you, Hutch. :) I went out to a few parties and if I said I didn't drink, I would occasionally get asked why, and as soon as I said that I was diabetic, the response was usually, "Oh, ok cool!" No problems there.
After getting used to my body, how it worked with diabetes, and what I could and couldn't (and did and didn't want to) handle, I learned how to drink safely. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar, so having a snack before and/or during drinks is crucial. And never getting to the oh-so-dangerous black-out point. Even without diabetes, I would never choose to do that. I don't like the feeling of not being in control of my own body. My good ole motto of "everything in moderation" rears its head again! For college students who are newly diagnosed, or high school students who haven't gotten to college yet... my advice is just to be careful, be safe, and make sure you have a friend around who knows your dealio. I have to admit that sometimes it just felt annoying and a little nerdy to have to do those things... but if push had come to shove, it would've saved my life, and could save yours.
BULLET POINT: Drinking is allowed, but be smart and safe (that goes for everyone, really)!
A typical college freshman has a lot to think about. A college freshman 600 miles from home and relearning how to live with diabetes has juuust a couple extra things to think about. I had to make sure there was a pharmacy nearby where I could refill and pick up my prescriptions (whew, CVS down the road... that I rode my bike to from my dorm), had to schedule classes that followed my medicine's schedule (a little bit more difficult). The insulin I was taking when I first started the diabetes regimen was the 'you-have-to-eat-lunch-4-hours-after-you-take-it' insulin, so I had to work around that. When I think back to my first semester and my class/food schedule, I almost have to laugh... then give myself a high five. James Madison's campus is huge. I had a class that let out at probably 11:50 or so, and it was at the tippy top of campus. Then I had to make it to just about the bottom of campus for a 12:00 class. And somehow I had to eat. Let me tell you, the first 10 minutes my 12:00 math class involved brow-wiping and heavy breathing. Oh, and sandwich eating. What I would have to do is use one of my meal plan "punches" (I can't even think of a synonym... ticket maybe?) the night before and get a to-go sandwich, and bring that with me for those sweaty/breathey math class days. After a couple weeks of being late to class, I went to Walmart and bought a bike. That made my downhill trek much faster (going from the bottom of campus back up turned my freshman quadriceps to STEEL!).
So the insulin timing with food and class and all that junk is one thing. Then there's that whole "you're in college, let's get drunk!" business. First of all, I never drank in high-school so it wasn't something I did to begin with. My lettuce-recommending-parents weren't strict about drinking and things like that (but weren't willy-nilly either, in their defense), so I wasn't aching to rebel and drink my face off the first chance I got. Also, there was that whole diabetes thing, remember? I forgot too. Binge drinking is dangerous for anyone. Binge drinking for somebody with diabetes is even more dangerous because (and I remember a nurse telling me this and I haven't forgotten it since) if my blood sugar dipped low enough that I passed out, an untrained/unaware eye would think, "Oh she's just passed out drunk" when in fact it was diabetic shock. RUH ROH. That is bad news bears. So, freshman year I think I might've had three drinks... total. In 180 days. I was petrified to drink anything. I thank my stars and garters that my angel of a roommate was in the same non-drinking boat as I was. We had the best year together just staying low key. As a matter of fact, we continued to live together for all 4 years of college! Love you, Hutch. :) I went out to a few parties and if I said I didn't drink, I would occasionally get asked why, and as soon as I said that I was diabetic, the response was usually, "Oh, ok cool!" No problems there.
After getting used to my body, how it worked with diabetes, and what I could and couldn't (and did and didn't want to) handle, I learned how to drink safely. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar, so having a snack before and/or during drinks is crucial. And never getting to the oh-so-dangerous black-out point. Even without diabetes, I would never choose to do that. I don't like the feeling of not being in control of my own body. My good ole motto of "everything in moderation" rears its head again! For college students who are newly diagnosed, or high school students who haven't gotten to college yet... my advice is just to be careful, be safe, and make sure you have a friend around who knows your dealio. I have to admit that sometimes it just felt annoying and a little nerdy to have to do those things... but if push had come to shove, it would've saved my life, and could save yours.
BULLET POINT: Drinking is allowed, but be smart and safe (that goes for everyone, really)!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sometimes it rains
Okay, I went from 0-100 on the posts, then forgot how to use a computer. I'm back, and know where the space bar is.
I've been trying to think of posts that will be interesting to any and everyone, and that's impossible. I'll just have to write what my brain tells me and if you like it, then hot diggity dawg! And if not... then cold dawgs. In all of my preaching about how living with diabetes is now routine for me and I hardly think much of it anymore, I have to say that isn't always the case. I'm not Superwoman... yet. There are days when I just don't feel like checking.my.dang.blood.sugar! Days I don't want to think about how people will react if I tell them, times I don't want to have to plan ahead and figure out how many syringes to bring with me on a trip (and bring a note from my doctor so I don't get kicked off a plane), and on and on. But I do it all anyway, because it's my life and taking care of myself is priority number ONE.
In addition to that, I was blessed (I think I sometimes might take this for granted) with a healthy upbringing. My family is a healthy one in terms of food and exercise. I was always an active kid, and I vividly remember hearing, "Have at least a little something green" at nearly every dinner. Nothing was ever forced, just recommended. And consistent recommendations stuck with me (thanks Mum and Dad). If I have a dinner without a salad, piece of broccoli, or a green crayon, it feels incomplete. That pattern of healthy eating was with me even before diabetes became a part of my life; and I'm certain that has aided in my success at maintaining my health. That being said, just because somebody didn't grow up the way I did, most definitely does not mean those habits can't be learned. If I learned about 7/10 (estimated) of 'what diabetes is' in 3 days at a hospital... anybody can learn about how eating vegetables is helpful, and that they don't necessarily taste gross.
Creating a routine is the key to managing diabetes well. Balancing blood sugar, insulin dosages, eating well, and exercising: get a pattern down with those 4 components, and the aggravating ups and downs won't happen as often. Another piece of sound advice is to allow yourself to get mad and be pissed of at Sir Diabetuss for a minute. He's a jerk sometimes and can handle some scrutiny. It's okay to feel down about having to deal with this disease. At the same time, remember it's not the worst thing in the world. Another scale to balance. It takes time, and is of course different for each individual. "Everything in moderation" is a motto (motto? adage? thing?) I live by, and it hasn't steered me wrong. Give it a go!
I've been trying to think of posts that will be interesting to any and everyone, and that's impossible. I'll just have to write what my brain tells me and if you like it, then hot diggity dawg! And if not... then cold dawgs. In all of my preaching about how living with diabetes is now routine for me and I hardly think much of it anymore, I have to say that isn't always the case. I'm not Superwoman... yet. There are days when I just don't feel like checking.my.dang.blood.sugar! Days I don't want to think about how people will react if I tell them, times I don't want to have to plan ahead and figure out how many syringes to bring with me on a trip (and bring a note from my doctor so I don't get kicked off a plane), and on and on. But I do it all anyway, because it's my life and taking care of myself is priority number ONE.
In addition to that, I was blessed (I think I sometimes might take this for granted) with a healthy upbringing. My family is a healthy one in terms of food and exercise. I was always an active kid, and I vividly remember hearing, "Have at least a little something green" at nearly every dinner. Nothing was ever forced, just recommended. And consistent recommendations stuck with me (thanks Mum and Dad). If I have a dinner without a salad, piece of broccoli, or a green crayon, it feels incomplete. That pattern of healthy eating was with me even before diabetes became a part of my life; and I'm certain that has aided in my success at maintaining my health. That being said, just because somebody didn't grow up the way I did, most definitely does not mean those habits can't be learned. If I learned about 7/10 (estimated) of 'what diabetes is' in 3 days at a hospital... anybody can learn about how eating vegetables is helpful, and that they don't necessarily taste gross.
Creating a routine is the key to managing diabetes well. Balancing blood sugar, insulin dosages, eating well, and exercising: get a pattern down with those 4 components, and the aggravating ups and downs won't happen as often. Another piece of sound advice is to allow yourself to get mad and be pissed of at Sir Diabetuss for a minute. He's a jerk sometimes and can handle some scrutiny. It's okay to feel down about having to deal with this disease. At the same time, remember it's not the worst thing in the world. Another scale to balance. It takes time, and is of course different for each individual. "Everything in moderation" is a motto (motto? adage? thing?) I live by, and it hasn't steered me wrong. Give it a go!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Exercise is a drug
I don't say that because I'm 'addicted' to exercise, I say that because exercise acts like insulin!! Maintaining a daily exercise regimen has made and continues to make a world of a difference for my diabetes control. Part of the reason my blood sugar wasn't astronomical at the time of my diagnosis was because I was exercising every day at crew practice.
I am certainly an exercise-advocate for anybody, diabetes or not; but it is just that much more important for somebody with diabetes. I don't have to take as much insulin because of exercise (like I said, exercise acts like insulin), and that will help keep me healthier longer. I can avoid the complications that go along with mismanaged diabetes, which can be very serious. Issues with circulation, eye-related problems, heart problems, kidney problems... there are a lot. BUT! Preventable. How excellent.
Bullet point: Exercise will save your life!
(Perhaps that's a mild exaggeration, but not too far off. It will LENGTHEN your life, that's for dang sure)
I am certainly an exercise-advocate for anybody, diabetes or not; but it is just that much more important for somebody with diabetes. I don't have to take as much insulin because of exercise (like I said, exercise acts like insulin), and that will help keep me healthier longer. I can avoid the complications that go along with mismanaged diabetes, which can be very serious. Issues with circulation, eye-related problems, heart problems, kidney problems... there are a lot. BUT! Preventable. How excellent.
Bullet point: Exercise will save your life!
(Perhaps that's a mild exaggeration, but not too far off. It will LENGTHEN your life, that's for dang sure)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Always. Be. Prepared.
Happy 3rd of July!!
Welcome to my low-blood-sugar blog post. I do not have low blood sugar as I type, but am going to inform you of what it's like having low blood sugar. The same cousin who told me that dealing with diabetes would become second nature, also told me to NEVER go anywhere without something to treat low blood sugar (juice, soda, candy). That was by far the best advice I've gotten.
High blood sugar just makes me feel drained, and occasionally I'll have a headache; but a dose of insulin can fix that easily (consistent high blood sugar is very detrimental, however). Low blood sugar is a whole other beast. It can be treated quickly, but there is more 'panic' involved. I start to sweat, get shaky, and if it's really bad, my vision starts to get blurry/go black (that's REALLY bad if it's gotten to that point). It takes about 10 minutes for the sugar (Starburst, Twizzlers, etc.) to get into my system, and boy oh boy is it a very long 10 minutes. Luckily I've had only a few close calls, but having sugar to treat the lows prevents the scary moments. More often than not, my low blood sugars are because I've had an out of the ordinary meal and took too much insulin.
Exercising can cause low blood sugars too. Several times I've had to cut a workout short because I can feel my blood sugar dipping low, which is very frustrating (but necessary). Even just knowing that I have some sugar around is comforting, then I know I won't be stuck somewhere with a severe low blood sugar. Severe = passing out. Yesterday morning I went for a bike ride right after I had breakfast, which wasn't part of my daily routine, so I adjusted my insulin dose accordingly. All went well, and then before lunch I checked my blood sugar and it was about 400!! WOOPS! Even a pro like me can mess up sometimes and have a high like that. So I had some lunch and took an extra few units of Humalog. I was going to play tennis about an hour later, so I made SURE to bring some sugar with me just in case I went low. I played for an hour or so, and when I got back home I checked my blood sugar and it was 85. Perfection!
Bullet points:
--Check your blood sugar as often as needed, it helps to keep it in control.
--Always have some sugar-somethin with you to treat lows!!
Happy 4th of July (ok well it's still the 3rd, but... close 'nuff)!!
Welcome to my low-blood-sugar blog post. I do not have low blood sugar as I type, but am going to inform you of what it's like having low blood sugar. The same cousin who told me that dealing with diabetes would become second nature, also told me to NEVER go anywhere without something to treat low blood sugar (juice, soda, candy). That was by far the best advice I've gotten.
High blood sugar just makes me feel drained, and occasionally I'll have a headache; but a dose of insulin can fix that easily (consistent high blood sugar is very detrimental, however). Low blood sugar is a whole other beast. It can be treated quickly, but there is more 'panic' involved. I start to sweat, get shaky, and if it's really bad, my vision starts to get blurry/go black (that's REALLY bad if it's gotten to that point). It takes about 10 minutes for the sugar (Starburst, Twizzlers, etc.) to get into my system, and boy oh boy is it a very long 10 minutes. Luckily I've had only a few close calls, but having sugar to treat the lows prevents the scary moments. More often than not, my low blood sugars are because I've had an out of the ordinary meal and took too much insulin.
Exercising can cause low blood sugars too. Several times I've had to cut a workout short because I can feel my blood sugar dipping low, which is very frustrating (but necessary). Even just knowing that I have some sugar around is comforting, then I know I won't be stuck somewhere with a severe low blood sugar. Severe = passing out. Yesterday morning I went for a bike ride right after I had breakfast, which wasn't part of my daily routine, so I adjusted my insulin dose accordingly. All went well, and then before lunch I checked my blood sugar and it was about 400!! WOOPS! Even a pro like me can mess up sometimes and have a high like that. So I had some lunch and took an extra few units of Humalog. I was going to play tennis about an hour later, so I made SURE to bring some sugar with me just in case I went low. I played for an hour or so, and when I got back home I checked my blood sugar and it was 85. Perfection!
Bullet points:
--Check your blood sugar as often as needed, it helps to keep it in control.
--Always have some sugar-somethin with you to treat lows!!
Happy 4th of July (ok well it's still the 3rd, but... close 'nuff)!!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Answers
Questions be comin in, I be gonna give da answers!
1. Why did you lose weight?
When the body isn't processing carbohydrates to convert them to fuel, they convert to sugar and the sugar just stays in the blood. Sugar in the blood = blood sugar. Since the body isn't getting fuel from food, it starts to "eat" the fat. Ergo, henceforth: weight loss. That is the least science-y answer I can give. Partially because the real science version I need to read again... because I can't quite remember.
2. What is the difference between Type I and Type II Diabetes?
EXCELLENT question, because that difference is substantial. Type I is 'insulin dependent' and a person with this disease has to inject insulin because his or her (I am a her) pancreas no longer creates its own insulin. Also, it is not reversible or curable (although a cure is right around the corner).
Type II Diabetes is not always insulin dependent, and oral medication is typically taken to treat it. Diet and exercise can reverse Type II. If that were possible for Type I, I'd have NOT had diabetes for about 9 years now. Dang. Type II is usually diagnosed later in life and it is more often than not people who have very unhealthy lifestyles and diets.
3. Can you eat cookies, cake, etc.?
Yes, yes I can. I try not to, but if I want to, I do. I just need to adjust my insulin dosage to accommodate the carbohydrates/sugar. What I do NOT do is drink juice and soda. Those things are loaded with sugar and it's not worth it.
More questions to be answered, and in more detail... and more scientifically accurate. Happy 4th of July!!
1. Why did you lose weight?
When the body isn't processing carbohydrates to convert them to fuel, they convert to sugar and the sugar just stays in the blood. Sugar in the blood = blood sugar. Since the body isn't getting fuel from food, it starts to "eat" the fat. Ergo, henceforth: weight loss. That is the least science-y answer I can give. Partially because the real science version I need to read again... because I can't quite remember.
2. What is the difference between Type I and Type II Diabetes?
EXCELLENT question, because that difference is substantial. Type I is 'insulin dependent' and a person with this disease has to inject insulin because his or her (I am a her) pancreas no longer creates its own insulin. Also, it is not reversible or curable (although a cure is right around the corner).
Type II Diabetes is not always insulin dependent, and oral medication is typically taken to treat it. Diet and exercise can reverse Type II. If that were possible for Type I, I'd have NOT had diabetes for about 9 years now. Dang. Type II is usually diagnosed later in life and it is more often than not people who have very unhealthy lifestyles and diets.
3. Can you eat cookies, cake, etc.?
Yes, yes I can. I try not to, but if I want to, I do. I just need to adjust my insulin dosage to accommodate the carbohydrates/sugar. What I do NOT do is drink juice and soda. Those things are loaded with sugar and it's not worth it.
More questions to be answered, and in more detail... and more scientifically accurate. Happy 4th of July!!
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