Hello. My 21 year old daughter was diagnosed almost four weeks ago. I have another question for the group. She commutes to school so she is home. We also have three other college and recently graduated aged children living at home. All four are incredibly close in age but more importantly their relationships with each other are incredibly close as well. We are truly blessed. All have been very supportive of their sister. My question is about eating later in the evening after her dinner has been over. My two sons had ice cream later in the evening and then felt guilty, they didn’t realize my daughter would feel as sad as she did that she couldn’t join them. She always joined them in the past. Any suggestions? Maybe planning more in advance so she could have joined them? We’ve done that before. I’m just wondering about future spontaneous times for my other children. They have to live too, but they don’t want to be insensitive. Should they just pass on such things? This question comes from them. They care very much about their sister. Thank you for any advice.
Hi Kathleen @KathyN,
First off, it is wonderful to hear that your children are supportive of and are trying to adjust some of their activities so that she doesn’t feel left out but I do not think that your entire family must completely change its ways [unless everyone was …] to fit what will be a TypeOne management life for your daughter. I was fourth of my parents eight children and life continued “as normal” for everyone - but yes, with subtle changes so I was never left behind.
There really isn’t any strong reason that your daughter can NOT join with her brothers having ice cream during the evening; in time she will learn how to manage that. With just four weeks under her belt your daughter is still trying to “see” how different foods, spacing of meals, daily activities and insulin interact. Ice cream could be for har a beneficial food - reasonable quantity - that fits her activity and insulin; for instance after an evening baseball game when I was a teen I was able to enjoy a small size ice cream with the guys. There aren’t any forbidden foods, just some foods about which we must be cautious.
for the present, she should stay on the cautious side. I am not a medical doctor but rather a guy who has lived with T1D for more than 60 years so I will not offer "how to’ on her insulin medication; and I don’t know what insulins she is now taking. Once she is comfortable managing her diabetes [we are all different] I will happily advise her on what has worked for me and also share some of my mistakes.
I’ve lived a full, active and very fulfilling life despite living most of it with diabetes; a key for me was realizing that TypeOne Diabetes can never be controlled but it can be successfully managed.
I agree with @Dennis there really should be no reason for her not to join them, as he mentioned, with time you will continue to learn how certain foods affect her as well as times of the day, etc.
Ice cream for me requires less insulin than cereal. I haven’t had it much, but one scoop without additional bolus after dinner didn’t change bg much, but I usually bolus a bit extra for dinner since I have some nuts, popcorn or some other snack in the evening. What a loving family, I think it’s neat
Oh, thank you all so much. We are learning, but as you all must know, it takes time. I am so overwhelmed with the kindness and experience you all offer. Thank you for being so accessible.
There is an ice cream called Arctic Zero (cake batter flavor) and it only has 7 carbs in 1/2 cup. That with a little cool whip is a great dessert that you dont even have to cover with insulin. They sell it at walmart and I also get it at publix in the florida area
Thank you! We will definitely look for that. Truthfully, my daughter loves cake flavored everything so this sounds fabulous.
Hi Kathleen,
I agree with the others that your daughter should be able to join in and have some ice cream, regardless of the time of day. When I eat ice cream I make sure to count the carbs closely and then dose insulin accordingly. Since you mentioned the your daughter is in school, try checking out The College Diabetes Network for some really great resources. They cover everything from asking for accommodations to how to manage blood sugars when stressed. I found a lot of great info on their website. Here is the link: https://collegediabetesnetwork.org/
I hope this helps!
Thank you so much. My daughter commutes, so she’s home, but it couldn’t hurt to check in to the site for resources thst may be available at her college. Even just finding others who can relate to what she’s going through would be helpful, particularly others of her own age. Thanks again!
Kathleen,
First, let me say you have found a FANTASTIC site for support and answers. All the messages I have seen from people replying to posts have been nothing short of positive and helpful. As long as you have people to contact who have traveled the road you are on now, you are never alone on your journey.
My 15 yo son has had his T1D diagnosis for 3-1/2 years, and my wife is constantly trying to find new treats for him to have. He has had DNA testing to find out how his body reacts to all kinds of things (not just carbs in sugary foods), and there are things that he needs to stay away from that the rest of us in the family can have. She has seen his disappointment, and she makes a concerted effort to make things special for him. Knowing that we all save those special things for him and are happy for him to be able to have them makes him feel more special and valued and less disappointed when we do have those things he needs to avoid.
With a little learning and planning, you can have things on hand that you save for your daughter for those times that everyone else has something she might feel like staying away from, and the disappointment and guilt can be avoided.
Thank you. It has been overwhelming, but I am receiving such great suggestions and advice. All will be well. This I know because of all the positive and kind responses from everyone. Thank you for your insight. It is very appreciated. All my best to you and your family.
I’m a type 1 and have been for almost 20 years. Ice cream is one of my absolute favorite foods and enjoy it quite regularly. Honestly, it affects my blood sugar way less than cereals and some fruits. They key is to count the carbs and pre-bolus for them. A little planning goes a long way.
Thank you so much for your insight!
It is so funny that people are mentioning cereal. When my daughter was diagnosed 4+ years ago, we assumed “bad” foods like cake, ice cream, and pie would make her BG go up more than others. But CEREAL has been one of the scariest things she can eat. I say scary because even if we use the special cereal bolus ratio her doctor gave us she still goes really low after a couple hours . Every person has different foods that they are sensitive to. If you and your daughter are aware, measure portions & count carbs accurately, and practice moderation she will be fine. Hang in there!
Thank you very much! We’ve been trying some of the ice cream brands suggested by others on the site and she is very happy! She’s really good about counting carbs, etc. She was diagnosed in mid-February and has really amazed us with her strength. She’s going to do very well. Particularly as she continues to hear such positive advice from those who know.
My daughter also enjoys her Ice cream with her brothers at night. her choice is HALO Ice-cream she says it has way less carbs
VDenerson
Dairy Queen makes a sugar free/fat free chocolate fudge bar that I like. It has 50 calories. DQ also makes an 80 calorie fat free “star” bar. If you purchase some of these, she will be able to join right in and feel special about it too.
there’s insulin for that! I don’t often push insulin for concentrated sugars, but I can. I’ve had type 1 for about 15 months. I got it when I was 61 years old, not that age matters. I was a man of certain traditions. . . including ice cream, frosted flakes or chocolate. I’ve thrown out the frosted flakes. I have had ice cream twice or three times, but not much. I had a few slices of cake too! If it’s dessert after a meal, I’d likely just give for it? In restaurants, it can be difficult. Last dinner out, I figured I’d just give two shots; one when I sat down with bread and appetizers and the other when the entree arrived. I wouldn’t mind giving a third shot if I decided to go with dessert.
Sometimes too, I’ll sit for some 60g dinner but give insulin for a 70g dinner, knowing full well, I’m going to have a few pieces of chocolate later. I love the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate covered peanut butter cups. They’re like 7g each and I’m okay with 2.
Simple pleasures!
f-d
@vdenerson @tubamann2 @fatt-dad
Thank you! My daughter is definitely managing well. What an education this has been for her (and us!). She was diagnosed six weeks ago and has her second Endo appointment on Friday. Her numbers have become a bit more regular, but not as consistent as we had hoped (thought?). Still in safe range though. She has been much more relaxed in her diet; she keeps it very balanced, but since all these wonderful experienced folks have offered so many great suggestions, she’s back to eating occasional ice cream with her brothers. She’s doing well. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
My son can’t have watermelon. Shoots his sugar really high even if it’s just a little. Some foods will surprise you. Since she is so new maybe you could try having just a little of the ice cream. You might find some types of ice cream will effect more than others too. My son loves Chocolate ice cream and it barely make a move on his sugar but caramel shoots it really high
But as for the high, don’t let it upset you or your daughter too much. If it’s a little high no big deal. My son had had sugars that are good all day then they will jump to 300. I think oh no. The next time he eats it’s back to being normal again. As time goes on you will learn what is an important number to pay close attention to and what was a food that just didn’t do well with you. It is learning process. But if you don’t try those foods you will never know. I hope this helps. God bless you and your family