(Fwd) ride food and diabetes

["Beth Glace" <lb@nismat.org>]

I am really hesitant to attempt this one since diabetes is not my 
area, but I'll give you some of my thoughts.  Let me start by saying 
that if you are insulin dependent you should discuss this with your 
diabetes specialist, since exercise will require some fine juggling 
of your insulin to maintain blood sugar level.  You'll likely need 
to increase the food you eat, particularly carbohydrates, before 
during and after exercise and/or decrease your insulin dosage. 
Self monitoring of blood glucose during the ride will be necessary.  
Some guidelines are:
1.  do not exercise if fasting glucose is >250 and ketosis is present 
or if glucose is >300 mg/dl.
eat additional carbohydrate if glucose is <100 mg/dl
2.  experiment with exercise to see how blood sugar responds to a 
given exercise bout.  During training rides, try to 
replicate the types of foods you will have available during a 
competitive event.  Closely monitor how your blood sugar responds to 
the exercise, and experiment by following your body's response to 
various foods.   You don't want to be out in some remote spot when 
you realize that you are not able to control your blood sugar.
 3.  if blood sugar is dropping below 100 during the ride begin 
eating carb sources.  You may want to have with you a variety of 
foods that are absorbed at various rates:  power bars, or a trail mix 
with some nuts and seeds, which have a lower glycemic index and are 
absorbed more slowly, candy or dried fruits which have a high 
glycemic index, and both plain water and a sports drink.  Stick with 
the plain water if blood sugar is high, if blood sugar is moderately 
low try the power bar or sports drinks to maintain energy, and keep 
the high glycemic index foods for times when carb is needed QUICKLY, 
like when you are about to bonk.  

I again STRONGLY urge you to speak to your specialist and to a 
dietitian that works exclusively with diabetic patients.  They 
will be able to formulate more specific and more useful advice. The 
American Diabetic Association has a web site and you may want to see 
what educational resources they offer.  They may also be able to 
refer you to a nutritionist who specializes in exercise in diabetics. 
The American Dietetic Assoc. also has a referral service and you may 
want to try to reach them at 312-899-0040.
  Good luck Beth Glace, MS 
Sports Nutritionist