On Tuesday, I noted that Scott's trouble with canned soup was just the tip of the carb-counting iceberg (or should that be "the lowest climbs on Everest" for the math-challenged?), looking at discrepancies in a product's own label as well as between what is stated on the label and what can be measured in the kitchen. Yesterday I looked at errors introduced by the processes of cooking and serving food, the canard of "free foods", and upscaling issues. Today I hope to conclude the series with issues of variation between individuals with diabetes (or an individual with diabetes). In short, Your Carb-Counting May Vary.

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In my last post, I addressed some of the issues involved in achieving an accurate picture of one's dietary intake based on the nutrition labels on packaged foods. I touched on the discrepancies between measurement by weight and by volume, between the approximated number of servings on the label and the number of servings based on posted content weight, and discrepancies between posted net weight and both real and usable content weight.

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Bagels on Friday!

Dear Friday Bagels,

I know you don't mean any harm. You're brought in by a fabulous office manager, all warm and tastefully arranged on a plastic platter in the kitchen. Egg bagels, pumpernickel, whole grain, poppy seed ... and the ultimate: everything bagel.

You are round and soft, anchored on either side by cream cheese and butter. You call to me as I sit at my desk:

"Kerri ... hey! Come over and maybe have a half?"

But Friday Bagels, you are not my friend.

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Topic 1: 

It's like the CGMS people were in my space today. I sent a text message to my Dexcom rep this morning (because he seems to respond better to a text than a phone call) to see if he could give me some information about my insurance company's new policy regarding CGMS. I didn't hear from him (no surprise), but I did get an e-mail from the nurse who is working on my behalf to see what the *&%$ is up with this disposable coverage crap.

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I just took the single largest dose of NovoLog I have ever taken! I was sitting around in the living room thinking about what I could have for dinner. And as I was rummaging through the panty, I came across a box of instant rice. Actually it was mixture of both pasta and rice; two foods from the KING-OF-CARBS category. Not only did I have the entire 150-carbohydrate box, but I chased it with a sleeve of Ritz crackers and a glass of milk. I ended up taking 20 units of NovoLog. Since my diagnoses with Type 1 in 1994, I can't remember ever taking such a big dose. I think I'll be good on carbs for the next day or two!

Despite thinking that I would be dead on, I tested a couple hours later and was high! Even though I tested high, it didn't bother me as it usually would. It was fun for a change to pig out on carbs. Every day I take a total of about 20 units of fast acting insulin, here I was getting my whole day's worth in one meal!
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Come on, everyone, sing it with me. I don't care if you're at work. Your co-workers will think you're insane. Maybe they'll send you home early.

Peanut! Peanut butter!

(clap clap)

Peanut! Peanut butter!

(clap clap)

Oh, come on! That was weak! I can barely hear you. I know you're singing it in your head. This time out loud and with a little hip hop flava. So what if your boss is one cubicle away from you. It's Friday. I'm sure he or she likes a little ,

Peanut! Peanut butter!

(clap clap)

Peanut! Peanut butter!

(clap clap)

Extra points to anyone who added a little beatbox into the mix. Guilty (raising hand modestly). Extra, extra points for anyone who pulled out a trumpet from under your desk and went all Dizzy Gillespie on it in between verses. Guilty again. (READ MORE)