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Below 70? The 15-15 rule

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Diabetes News

Macronutrient composition of the diet

The main dietary components of the diet for an individual with diabetes should be carbohydrate-containing foods with a low glycaemic index and cismonounsaturated fat. Although it is important to give people with diabetes advice to modify their dietary intakes so

1 min read

Diabetes News

Carbohydrate

The proportion of energy derived from carbohydrate is related to the level of fat intake. Recommendations in the past have tended to be narrow and precise with regard to fat and carbohydrate intake. Although good diabetes control can be achieved

2 min read

Diabetes News

Sugar and Sweeteners

Sucrose The diabetic diet has in the past been referred to as the sugar-free diet but many studies have shown that consuming iso-caloric amounts of other carbohydrates can raise blood glucose levels and aggravate hyperglycaemia more than sucrose itself. The

2 min read

Diabetes News

Dietary Fats

People with diabetes have a two- to fourfold increased risk of coronary heart disease, and an increased risk of mortality due to the low HDL with high triglyceride syndrome that is seen in Type 2 diabetes, even when well treated.

3 min read

Diabetes News

Alcohol

Recommendations regarding alcohol consumption and diabetes currently relate to a number of different sources but focus on two main issues, hypoglycaemia for Type 1 diabetes and the increased cardiovascular risks with Type 2 diabetes, see Nutritional Management of Cardiac Risk

2 min read

Diabetes News

Aims of the Nutritional Recommendations

The goals of dietary advice are to achieve and maintain good health and quality of life, with avoidance and management of short-term symptoms, including hypoglycaemia and freedom from the long-term complications of the disease, for as long as possible. Evidence

1 min read

Diabetes News

Application of the Nutritional Guidelines

Since diabetes is a life-long disease that affects all groups of the population, irrespective of age, culture or socio-economic status, it is vitally important to identify the most appropriate approach to the application of the nutritional guidelines, from the outset.

1 min read

Diabetes News

Provision of services in Diabetes Care

In 1997, Diabetes UK, formerly the British Diabetic Association, investigated the provision of dietetic services in diabetes care. They carried out a postal survey to dietitians in the UK to assess level of provision and current practices including application of

1 min read

Diabetes News

The Role of the Dietitian In Diabetes Care

Ideally, it is the role of the dietitian to provide the dietetic intervention. A vital part of the dietetic consultation is the assessment of readiness to change eating behaviour. Exploration of barriers to change and awareness of psychosocial issues form

1 min read

Diabetes News

Audit and Evaluation

Since the 1970s, the success or failure of diet in diabetes care has been based on compliance. The most important consideration being whether or not a patient was deemed to have modified their dietary intake and achieved a particular dietary

1 min read

Diabetes News

Recommendations: Type 1 and type 2 Diabetes

Although the nutritional recommendations for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are in essence the same, there may be a difference in emphasis. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in both Type 1 and Type 2

1 min read

Low blood sugar

Below 70? Use the 15-15 rule.

Hypoglycemia can happen to anyone who takes insulin or certain diabetes tablets. Treat it straight away. If someone is confused, unconscious or can’t swallow, don’t give food or drink: use glucagon if it is available and call 911 or your local emergency number.

Common signs

  • Shaking or trembling
  • Sweating, clammy skin
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Hunger
  • Confusion or irritability
  1. STEP 115 gTake fast-acting sugar4 oz (½ cup) of juice or regular soda, 4 glucose tablets, or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey.
  2. STEP 215 minWait, then recheckStill below 70 mg/dL? Take another 15 g and check again.
  3. STEP 3SnackOnce back in rangeEat a meal or snack if your next one is more than an hour away.

Based on American Diabetes Association guidance. Your care team may give you a different plan, for example for children or after severe lows. Outside the US, call your local emergency number.