working out and having diabetes

[nen]

Having diabetes is hard enough, not having energy to work out is even worse. So what do i do i cant eat, drink any thing with sugar i told myself what am i going to do to get more energy? I searched and searched the web and finally found a really good energy drink with no sugar and no more then 15 calories. I love drinking coke and i was exited to see that they had that flavor and they have 5 others but any way ever since i have been drinking them i have been able to go to the gym and work out and actually want to. If any one has the same problem i had feel free to email me and i can give you the website were i buy mine lafrijolera@peoplepc.com

[Vytautas]

Hm... Strange how a thing with no carbohydrate give you energy.. carbohydrate is the main source of energy for the cells...
I am trully sorry for those that find no energy for working out, but i can't see the problem in eating what you want... After all it's not the ammount of sugar in the food that counts :laugh: If you know how to deal with it you can eat and drink almost whatever you wish. (strongy recomend to cut off any energy drinks and such things wich are said to be delicious and help improve your immunity to illness and such becuase they will send sugar levels in blood skyhigh...). Of course it also depends on what kind of insulin you are using...

[dbman]

I came across a drink called Red Bull Sugar-free in my local grocery store. I decided to pick a can and try it. The taste is a little syrupish however i was able to control the fatigue while at work. The drink has about 10-12 calories and is a cocktail of Vitamin B12 supplements, Niacin, etc. I havent checked with my doc if this is a safe drink for diabetic patients. Can someone out there post any comments on this drink and its application for diabetics?

[Vytautas]

Never heard of it... It should be remembered that it's not the sugar that matters, but the carbohydrates in the food or drink. The main reason why energy drinks aren't recomended for diabetics is because they hold a high sugar in blood level but for a short time. I had one just a few weeks back (~0.5L) and after ~1.5hours my sugar lvl was 19mmol/l and i am not sure if it is becouse of that, but by night (i drank it during the evening) it started to "run out". By 11pm my sugar level was 16 and 2 hours later it was 2.3mmol/l So i think that you need to carefully egzamine what's in that stuff. I'm not saying it is realy bad, i'm just suggesting caution because the affects after can be rather unpredictable and you need to be on guard...<br><br>Post edited by: Vytautas, at: 2007/10/10 22:19

[karen1976]

A lot of people use Red Bull for a quick burst of energy but it just doesn't last, and I wouldn't recommend it pre-workout.

I train 5x a week with weights, and 3x a week cardio to try maintain good health (I am 5'9" and 130lbs). As a Diabetic, though, I can't just get up in the morning and do this on an empty stomach. If I know I am going to the gym at a certain time, I'll have a light snack or a glass of juice -- without the carbs I will drop -- and I will also cut back on my insulin. When I'm done at the gym, I almost always make myself a protein shake using water, a little bit of frozen yogurt and protein powder (right now I am on a strawberry kick!). For me, it's been working great. Tons of energy, I don't go low right after and I am not gaining weight. (We especially need protein after lifting weights to help the muscles repair and recover quickly. And during your workout, make sure to drink lots of water -- you might not feel dehydrated, but it can happen quickly!)

Further to that, there are some excellent supplements which are ideal to drink before hitting the gym. Depending on what your goals are (do you just want energy? Do you want to build lean muscle or put on mass?), there IS something that will work for you to give you energy through carbohydrates along with other nutrients the body needs.

Lastly, I'd suggest maybe try training at a different time of day to see if you find yourself with more energy -- for me between 10-11am is the best, but everyone is different. Hope this all helps...

Good luck!

[edugeek]

I find that the Red Bull Sugarless is a source of energy to get me through the day. I have D2 but am just monitoring my blood sugar and working with diet.
I have found that Red Bull and very low carb protein bars seem to be a good combination for me during the day. I have had negative reaction to sugarless RockStar.
I have not experienced any negative reactions to Reb Bull. I would like to hear from others who are trying to work their diabetes in a similar way or not.B)

[Blair]

Hi edugeek,welcome to the forum
I am looking forward to reactions to your question as well

[karen1976]

Hi Edugeek, welcome!

I work out regularely and find that by simply eating a light breakfast before going to the gym, or having some juice before, I am fine! I always have a protein shake after my workouts -- this is to help repair the muscles I have just worked out, and also serves as my mid-morning snack.

I'll also have protein bars or protein cookies -- but for those of you who are new to this, be sure to read the package! You want to choose the bar/cookie that has the highest amount of protein and the lowest amount of fat... and, from experience, the fattiest ones are always the tastiest, so be aware of what you're eating. (The Trioplex Chocolate Chip cookies are yummy, I have some now: 5g of fat, 11 carbs from sugar, and 10 g of protein per cookie!)

I'm a bit of a health geek so I shy away from carbonated/caffienated products, thus I don't drink Red Bull or cola. Plus, Red Bull is high in Sodium (290mg), so that and the carbonation will cause me some major bloating! :S

[Blair]

Yeah. I'm not even so sure Red Bull is that healthy for anyone at all (seen the amount of caffeine)

[Linith]

Don't any of you work? The whole diabetes thing is appalling, and some of you need to get a life! I have absolutely had it when I get home at night. I am up at six, home at 5.30 when I have to feed 2 people with diabetes, get ready for the next day, laundry etc and then pick my partner up at 7 pm. Despite my cholesterol being A1 my blood sugars are up to 12-16. I am tired of lectures, I have to earn a living to keep a roof over my head.There are not enough hours in the day to obsess over it!!!