Subscribe Now

[hb-subscribe]

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 13 hours, 18 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Moderately. My doctor and pharmacy are awesome, my insurance and durable medical equipment supplier, not so much. The excessive red tape of paper to get DME supplies shipped is almost always a nightmare!
    • 13 hours, 24 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Run, don’t walk from Edgepark! Read my response to Nevin Bowman above! (Hint: the company I was referring to in that post was Edgepark)
    • 13 hours, 24 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I once had a supplier withhold old pump supplies while refusing to ship the order for a new pump and I was on a 3-way call with insurance and got to listen to DME lie directly to Insurance about it and then I had the pleasure of interjecting and getting to call them a liar! I would have been more vindicated if it actually accomplished anything, but after I finally got my shipment I fired that DME and never looked back. The red tape that insurance insists on for DME is excessive for chronically ill patients!
    • 13 hours, 33 minutes ago
      kristina blake likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 14 hours, 53 minutes ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 16 hours, 5 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Been doing it for so long it's mostly estimation at this point. Every once in a while at home I'll measure out exact portions of rice, pasta, etc to remind myself just how SMALL portions should be as I tend to let them get a little bigger over time. (wishful thinking) Very helpful to have that image in mind at restaurants where portions tend to be way larger than a single serving.
    • 16 hours, 5 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Yes, for me never weighing or measuring but actively using the Calorie King book and app for several years I have most things memorized or I can make a decent assessment.
    • 16 hours, 5 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 16 hours, 5 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 17 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 17 hours, 40 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Well, since I'm waiting on pump supplies for 2 months now, my confidence is slipping.
    • 17 hours, 40 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am confident about access to my medical needs in the immediate future. I am not a fortune teller and have no idea what my access to medical supplies will be like in a year or longer. I don't take my spoiled lifestyle for granted.
    • 17 hours, 40 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
    • 17 hours, 47 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am worried about the changes to Medicare making no provision for getting an immediate replacement if a pump fails. It sounds like we will have to get these from the suppliers instead of a warranty replacement from Tandem themselves (or whatever brand you use). Pumps will be rented and will have to be returned so they can verify the problem before replacing them, which is ridiculous. Meanwhile, Medicare would not pay for us to get long acting insulin as a temporary replacement for the basal.
    • 17 hours, 53 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 17 hours, 57 minutes ago
      Derek West likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 20 hours, 29 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      So far since Jan 1, ‘26, I’ve spent nearly 30 hours on the phone battling and trying to get Medicare covered diabetes supplies. Called 5 different suppliers t get what I need to use my pump.
    • 20 hours, 31 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      You are too modest. That hurdle is on fire and you have to juggle chainsaws as you jump over it. Congratulations and good luck making it over the next one in 90 days.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How satisfied are you with your current insulin pump brand/model?
      Somewhat satisfied with TSlimX2. Not because of pump shortcomings, but because of the sheer insanity of trying to get routine supplies through the American health care system. My current situation, to wit: "I am experiencing extreme frustration with Medicare that, 1) has an inoperable website, and 2) has an inoperable AI phone answering service. Consequently, I can no longer acquire needed supplies to operate the tSlimX2, particularly the T:Lock TruSteel 8mm 32.” This situation has persisted for 2 months. 😬
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Well, since I'm waiting on pump supplies for 2 months now, my confidence is slipping.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I answered slightly. I'm absolutely certain supplies and medication will be available. However, I'm doubtful they will be affordable. If I can't afford them, I can't access them.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am confident about access to my medical needs in the immediate future. I am not a fortune teller and have no idea what my access to medical supplies will be like in a year or longer. I don't take my spoiled lifestyle for granted.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I answered slightly. I'm absolutely certain supplies and medication will be available. However, I'm doubtful they will be affordable. If I can't afford them, I can't access them.
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • T1D Screening
        • T1D Screening How-To
        • T1D Screening Results
        • T1D Screening Resources
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Centers
      • Meet the Experts
      • Learning Sessions
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
        • FOH Screener
        • T1D Care Plans
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Our Initiatives
    • Partnerships
      • About
      • Industry Partnerships
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Previous Work
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Search
    • Donate

    Do you ever change your insulin to carb ratio for different types of foods?

    Home > LC Polls > Do you ever change your insulin to carb ratio for different types of foods?
    Previous

    How often do you get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity (ex: brisk walking, swimming, gardening)?

    Next

    Do you currently use any of the following CGM systems?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

    Related Stories

    News

    What’s Keeping Glucagon Out of Reach for Many with T1D? 

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 days ago 6 min read  
    News

    Thinking About Type 1 Diabetes Autoantibody Screening? Here’s What to Consider 

    Jewels Doskicz, 1 week ago 9 min read  
    2025 Learning Session

    T1DX-QI 2025 November Learning Session Abstracts 

    QI Team at T1D Exchange, 2 weeks ago 1 min read  
    Advocacy

    The Language of Type 1 Diabetes: Why Words Matter 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 weeks ago 6 min read  
    News

    Understanding Time in Range, GMI, and A1C in Type 1 Diabetes 

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 weeks ago 4 min read  
    News

    Out of Insulin? Expert Tips from Diana Isaacs, PharmD 

    Jewels Doskicz, 4 weeks ago 9 min read  

    25 Comments

    1. Marsha Miller

      If it is high in fat, I add more insulin.

      3
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Sharon Gerdik

      I didn’t even understand this question. I do not change insulins and I don’t change my carb ratios. I do however use extended boluses in different ways.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. luis.cosme@mac.com

        “cleaner” foods seem to require less insulin than foods with higher fat content. So for example 15g of steamed brown rice might require less insulin than 15 g of French fries. So some folks might decide to use a higher carb ratio for the chips than for the rice.

        1
        5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Clare Fishman

      I don’t change my I:C ratio, but I do indicate to Loop if it is a slow, medium or fast carb and I let Loop do the math.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Sahran Holiday

      Adjust depending on activity and how much insulin I’ve taken in the last 24 hours. Companies claim fast acting insulin duration is 4 hours. That’s completely not true. It’s there for 24+ hours.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. connie ker

      My insulin carb ratio is different as the day progresses. I am on MDI of humalog and lantus, so many things can affect the insulin/carb ration. Any T1D will tell you the same, each day is a journey.

      3
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. GLORIA MILLER

      At 64 years T1 I don’t count carbs. When carb counting first became popular I tried it out but I did better on my own – knowing how food reacts to my insulin – and adjusted accordingly.

      6
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Sherolyn Newell

      I add a few more carbs for some foods so that the pump calculates more insulin. There are certain things that I know how many carbs to say it is to get the correct amount of insulin. For instance, peanut butter sandwich = 50 carbs, even though it is actually less than that.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Daniel Bestvater

        I don’t actually change my carb ratios. But I do adjust the recommended dose based on; activity level, infusion set location, how long of a pre-bolus time I have………

        2
        5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Kristina Sanders

      YES! For me, foods with minimal processing and a balanced profile require less insulin – i.e. apples, beans, and quinoa most of all.

      I have gotten hypoglycemic more times than I can count because of quinoa!

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Antsy

        Yes, quinoa has gotten me too! I actually don’t count quinoa carbs at all anymore, I dose for everything else and keep an eye on my CGM readings for the next few hours.

        5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. AnitaS

      I don’t actually change the ratio in my pump, but I do give myself extra insulin when I eat certain foods that raise my sugar even though the food is low carb. For instance, eggs really raise my blood sugar so not only do I give extra insulin, but I also extend my bolus as the egg will make my sugar stay high for hours on end.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Francisco Varea

      I don’t change the setting on the pump. But when I eat something that I know to raise my blood glucose levels, then I do an extra manual bolus. This something I do quite often.

      3
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. DiabetesC

        I checked yes, but this is actually how I do it too. Somewhat the same in concept.

        1
        5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Alan Segal

      I don’t change the “ratio”, but I count a slice of pizza at 50 carbs instead of 34…. I still use 10:1 ratio…..

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Cheryl Seibert

      I handle differences in types of food intake with the various bolus options on my insulin pump. Regular bolus for fast reacting carbs, 50%/50% extended/dual bolus for combo foods like pizza that have both fast absorbing and more complex carbs, and then only extended bolus for complex carb intake .

      3
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Mick Martin

      I don’t change the insulin to carb ratio, but I do change the infusion rate. i.e. for high fat content foods I tend to give a dual-wave bolus of insulin, taking approximately 1/3 of the total amount initially, followed by 2/3 over a period of 2 hours.

      3
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Janis Senungetuk

      I don’t change the ratio, Depending on the food and how it’s prepared I might extend the bolus.

      4
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Becky Hertz

      I said other. As some before me have said, I don’t change my I:c ratio but will override the suggested insulin dosage based on a particular food. Usually for me it’s less insulin.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Robert Farley

      Only with pasta and rice

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Patricia Dalrymple

      I have a high and low exercise basal rate and sometimes I extra bolus after going out to eat (I can never control myself out of the house) and I also adjust basal rate.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Donald Stitt

      I use the dual wave and extended bolus to adjust for different foods

      3
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Brandon Denson

      I’ll adjust manually for more or less insulin depending on the particular food being consumed.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Chris Deutsch

      I usually just extend the administration of the insulin dose.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Molly Jones

      At times I will lower the suggested insulin dose due to my trending BG and what I am eating. It depends on whether or not my BG is dropping and how quickly what I am eating will be absorbed.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    Do you ever change your insulin to carb ratio for different types of foods? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2024 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    [userselectcat]

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    [searchandfilter slug="sort-filter-post"]