Posted by: vladthehampaler
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[–] tadiabeteslover 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Honestly, most Type 1 diabetics need to switch diets as well. Insulin usage is tied very closely to carbohydrate intake. Some insulin goes to deal with the steady release/breakdown of glycogen in the liver (the reason for which is because the system is a reverse-feedback system where the glycogen stops being broken down when the body naturally produces insulin. In Type 1s, there is no more natural production, so the body is constantly breaking down glycogen into sugar and releasing it, so a small steady amount of insulin is needed to keep blood sugars stable, even when not eating.) The rest of the need for insulin is to deal with incoming sugars (carbohydrates) in your meals. The endocrinologists will tell you that the ratio of insulin taken for food compared to insulin take for the glycogen release should be around 50-50 or up to 2-1.
That's on a typical Western, high-carb diet though. I've had success in switching to a 'keto' or low-carb diet, and only have to take a very small amount of insulin when I eat. So I've cut my insulin usage by around 60%. I think saving ~$600 a month is possible for the majority of diabetics. Even with the bullshit 'eating healthy is expensive' line that gets tossed around, I think for $600 a month you can afford some more vegetables and less rice/pasta/bread/cakes/pies/donuts/snacks.