hi lauren, treating a low depends on how close it is to a meal and what they plan on doing, if it is close than just the 15 carbs of juice, jelly beans, milk, or crackers is fine as long as they are not super low, if jacob is under say 45 he is going to need more like 30 carbs, if she is planning on going out to play and the meal isnt an hour or two away i would follow up the low treatment ( simple carbs) with some fat or protein, peanut butter, cheese stick, hershey kisses (of course these are both carbs and fat) to keep her going. i like elizabeth's idea of chocolate milk for treating a low, something they will like it has the sugar and some protein and fat. interesting the different brands have a different effect! so nice to share idea here. i hope all this helps. no question is silly. we are all learning and supporting each other.
Thank you so much for your advice and help!! Tonight we went out and got jelly beans to Kiely's delight (and our younger daughter's too, lol). I have no idea why I have never thought of that before. And I agree the chocolate milk idea is great!!
How did you learn all this?? lol
Every spare moment that my husband and I have we spend learning as much as we can about Type 1...internet, books, etc....at times I feel I'm letting it take over my life, and I do force myself to "take it down a notch"...(but the jelly beans were my own idea)...I've also received advice from this site just like you!
live it, learn it i guess, reading lots but not obsessing, and yes spending time and sharing with others here. just another mommy role! lol on the double jelly beans luckily my younger son gets the whole diabetes thing but isnt overly concerned, he knows if there is only enough milk for one left jacob will get it because i've already added in the carbs! but jacob has been known to share his jelly beans with his brother and the large duck at a walking trail we go to donald ( the duck) didnt care for the glucose tabs, you would think we would remember bread!
lol Now I will be thinking about a duck eating jelly beans and glucose tablets next time I see one! lol And those jelly beans might not have been the best idea...I had forgotten how addicting they can be. Agh! ;) But Kiely has several pre-counted out jelly beans in baggies in her diabetic (and totally cool, what she says) bag. It feels like I am reading new info every day. So much to take in and learn.
Isn't this site wonderful?!
yes we wondered at first if jacob would overtreat or overeat! the jelly beans, but he realized they are just a replacement for his glucose tabs which he liked at first ( the precounted bagies are best they make mini bagies to) but the chalky quality of the tabs got old. so as long as she understands, teachable moments without being preachy! although at 14 with jacob anything teachable in my eyes can be preachy in his....balance..breath...all will be ok! and yes chocking hazard for mr duck we will try to bring bread next time!!
Oh Kiely doesn't overeat the jelly beans...I do!! lol A dangerous snack! lol Kiely has been really good at not overeating and does so well at counting her carbs. But there are actually times where I know she is still hungry but is worrying about her carb amount. Example she would like a second roll but won't eat it b/c she of the carbs in it. It breaks my heart. I can see her eyeing the roll. She will go for the lower carb option instead...like the meat or veggies...but you can see her still eyeing that roll. :(
i hear you on that one, what a good girl though, it is obvious she understands and is doing her best, lots of love and high fives to kiely, that is the beauty of a pump just add on for the extra roll, desert.. someday jacob will have more carb restraint but for now covering seems to work for him with no real restraint and a decent a1c so i am ok with that. have a great day desi! amy
For some reason I can't reply under your latest response, so I will respond under here. lol She has the pump and loves it!! We actually just had to get her a new one b/c her other one just wasn't priming right...for no reason. But she had to go back on shots for a few days. We forgot how "spoiled" the pump made us! lol tonight she had milk and a little regular chocolate syrup before bed b/c of her low number and she thought that was fabulous. lol I hope your son is doing well!!
I am just learning, too. Our school nurse suggested the builder bars when he was having frequent lows, and 1/2 a bar is 15 carbs. It is not to be used as a fast acting sugar, but as a snack that sustains. If he is below 80 he likes a juice box or motts fruit snacks. If he is 90 or 100 and needs to head to pe class he will have half a builder bar. The yogurt stick (our nurse educator’s suggestion) is another idea - like what to have at 2 am when 100 and we know he needs to make it another 5 hours. The yogurt or bar just sticks with him longer. For fast acting he likes quick sticks, sold at Walgreens. He likes to find excuses to need them. “A little low, maybe, mom”. Also trader joes has a higher fiber fruit bar. More fiber in something helps it to absorb more slowly, thus avoiding that fast spike and drop.
I have found it ironic that with this new health concern in my son’s life we are buying more candy than ever! I also worry about the teeth but am less on top of the extra brushing than I should be. Maybe I should go back to getting that ACT rinse, come to think of it!