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    • 9 hours, 38 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      The question is poorly worded. If I am doing those things I run my blood sugar higher if not I don’t. A better question might be how often do I do those things. Since I do them often I run high often on purpose. I cannot be sub 100 and do them.
    • 9 hours, 39 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      Exercise affects me profoundly at an older age (and has the physics of momentum and driving at ANY age!). Answer: often/
    • 10 hours, 44 minutes ago
      Richard likes your comment at
      How often do you exercise? Share more in the comments about your exercise routine.
      I have to try my best to move my Leg's for at least 30 minutes a day. If not something around that.
    • 10 hours, 46 minutes ago
      Richard likes your comment at
      How often do you exercise? Share more in the comments about your exercise routine.
      I exercise daily! I ski, bicycle, walk/jog, and workout at the gym. I currently have a rotator cuff injury so I limit my trips to the gym.
    • 12 hours, 21 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      During Ramadhan I keep it slightly elevated so that I don’t have to break the 12 hour fast.
    • 12 hours, 23 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      when I am traveling, I will let it run a little higher because I don't know what I'll be doing at any given moment.
    • 12 hours, 23 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      The question is poorly worded. If I am doing those things I run my blood sugar higher if not I don’t. A better question might be how often do I do those things. Since I do them often I run high often on purpose. I cannot be sub 100 and do them.
    • 12 hours, 32 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. 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.
    • 12 hours, 35 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      Exercise affects me profoundly at an older age (and has the physics of momentum and driving at ANY age!). Answer: often/
    • 1 day, 8 hours 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!
    • 1 day, 8 hours 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)
    • 1 day, 8 hours 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!
    • 1 day, 8 hours 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
    • 1 day, 10 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 11 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 11 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 11 hours 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
    • 1 day, 11 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 12 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.
    • 1 day, 12 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 12 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 12 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 12 hours 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.
    • 1 day, 13 hours 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
    • 1 day, 13 hours 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.
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    When purchasing condiments or dressings (i.e. ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, etc.) do you ever buy the products labeled “sugar-free”?

    Home > LC Polls > When purchasing condiments or dressings (i.e. ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, etc.) do you ever buy the products labeled “sugar-free”?
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    When counting your carbs before bolusing, do you factor the amount of fat into your calculation at all?

    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.

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    34 Comments

    1. Lawrence S.

      No. I try to avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible. Ironically, as I sit here and drink a bottle of Propel zero sugar before I go out for my morning run. But, no, I do not buy sugar free condiments.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Keith LeMar

      I don’t use any condiments or dressings on my food. Just never cared for them

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lorri McLuckie

        Same here

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Clare Fishman

      I find most bbq sauces too sweet and the sugar free varieties often contain some very nasty ingredients. I normally just make my own so I know what is in it.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. David & Kaleo of Team Nani

      Sometimes b/c I find that “no sugar added” omits the high fructose corn syrup and/or other carb Trojan horses.
      I prefer to check serving size and carbs and can usually find low carb, low-ish fat and otherwise tasty enough options.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Trisha Oldenkamp

      Always for bbq sauce because they are so sweet and Recipes call for a good amount. I never choose sugar free for ketchup because I use it sparingly. I avoid honey mustard and I make my own teriyaki sauce that has only a little added sugar-not sweet.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Danele Smith

      Only for pancake syrup

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Janice Bohn

      I do not purchase any products with fake sugars. I try to purchase condiments with no added sugar.

      5
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      No, because everything you eat turns to Carbs. “Sugar-free” has no meaning except they add an excessive amount of SODIUM to enhance the product taste. As an example, put a “Sugar-free “product next to its regular counterpart; They almost have the same Carb value. Except for the (Salt), Sodium. value

      5
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. KCR

      I don’t use many condiments and prefer “no sugar” items when possible.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Ms Cris

      “sugar free” does not equal “carb free.” Sugar alcohols raise my BG noticeably, as well as artificial sweeteners (when in the presence of other carbs). It’s a bummer, but easier for me to avoid them altogether.

      7
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Jane Cerullo

      I buy sugar free ketchup. Rarely eat barbecue sauce.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Lauren Carey

      I don’t buy “sugar-free”, but I will buy “no sugar added”. I have found that these are not equal statements on products.

      8
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Patricia Kilwein

      Since being diagnosed I have become an avid label reader. Sometimes a product says no sugar added but same carb count as reg product. Low fat options can contain fewer carbs than reg. All I can say is read the labels and compare serving size as well. Made me a better shopper.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Drina Nicole Jewell

      I don’t use a lot of condiments. The ones I do use, are no sugar added or sugar free and come recommended from our local low carb guru 🤣

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Molly Jones

        Sounds similar. My taste buds for condiments have left a long time ago. I occasionally use ones that don’t use sugar.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Richard Vaughn

      I don’t use ketchup or BBQ sauce, too much sugar. I did not know that mustard had sugar, Does it? I use salt and pepper.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Jeff Balbirnie

      Sounds obsessive to me. (: (

      In theory perhaps there is something with obscene quantities of some form/type of sugar, but not in the condiments aisle to any severe degree I know of….

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Becky Hertz

      The only item I purchase that states specifically “sugar free” is G. Hughes bbq sauce. I don’t like ketchup. I’ll check the nutrition labels though.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Andrea Hultman

      My concern with condiments and dressings is more about ingredients with high FODMAP content—for example, onion, garlic, inulin, honey, most sugar alcohols, etc.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Pauline M Reynolds

      Salt is the real offender in these items. I either don’t use them or use them so sparingly that it makes no difference in my BG.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Bea Anderson

      Sometimes. I exam and think about everything. I look for carb count, not sugar free, but some SF is a good deal, depends. I have my fav.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Kathy Morison

      Sugar free just means it’s loaded with artificial sweeteners that are more harmful than eating regular sugar

      5
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Kevin McCue

      I always weigh the pros and cons, looking for low carb and no artificial sweetener

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. KarenM6

      I don’t use ketchup and very little bbq sauce. I’ve never seen a mustard that was labelled “sugar free”, but I also don’t really use mustard either.
      I use mayonnaise very lightly on some sandwiches.
      As I came to understand it at some point (and I could be wrong, so take with a grain of salt, please):
      Sugar free adds more fat or sugar substitutes to make up for the sugar. And fat free adds more sugar in an effort to taste “normal.”
      If I _had_ to use sugar free for other than diabetes reasons, that would be one thing.
      But, I choose to use regular things and account for the sugar when I bolus. (I haven’t gotten around to learning how to account for the fat other than just extending a bolus.)
      I like italian dressings… I hope that isn’t on the “bad” list!!!

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. ConnieT1D62

      I prefer and choose to eat “real deal” ingredients, including sugar, rather than artificial anything. My body can handle the real deal stuff as long as I am mindful of portion size and carb content to be calculated in insulin coverage.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Carol Meares

      I can’t say never because I have some but they sit in the fridge because they never measure up. I would rather go without. Most of my condiments don’t require sugar, like mustard, oil and vinegar, chili oil, salsa, lemon juice, fermented lemon.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Carol Meares

        I eat real maple syrup and bolus for it.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. mark caputto

      I always check the label sugar free is not always carb free

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. ELYSSE HELLER

      I use G Hughes brand of sugar free BBQ sauce and other sugar free dressings and condiments from G Hughes. They are tasty and very low in carbs. I used to use Jack Daniels BBQ sauce before I discovered G Hughes and I do notice that it doesn’t raise my BG as much.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Wanacure

      Nowadays I seldom buy any food with sugar added. Ditto for artificial sweeteners. I try to avoid foods with added chemicals, try to just stick with mustard, curry powder, garlic granules, vinegar, black pepper, salt, turmeric powder, chili pepper. I found a blue chess dressing w/ very low or no carbs.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. MARIE

      While I answered “yes” the truth is that I read the ingredient information to make sure a product does not contain sugar, regardless of what the front of the packing proclaims.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. KMcKeon

      It really depends. For ketchup, I buy “no sugar added”. I always look at the ingredients listen. If there’s a long list of hard to pronounce ingredients, I don’t buy. If there’s corn syrup or HFCS, I don’t buy. If sugar is anywhere in the first 3-5 ingredients, I don’t buy. I prefer to make my own dressings and sauces and almost always cut what the recipe calls for in sweeteners.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Cheryl Seibert

      Yes, but I don’t trust product labeling. The current “sugar free”, “No sugar” labeling is often dangerously misleading. I ALWAYS read the nutrition label and ingredients before purchase to determine an accurate Total Carb count (Net carbs are useless and a marketing ploy in my opinion). Many times “Sugar Free” products have just as many carbs as the ‘regular’ product.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    When purchasing condiments or dressings (i.e. ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, etc.) do you ever buy the products labeled “sugar-free”? Cancel reply

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