A Type 1 Diabetic's questions about nutrition

I'm thrilled to discover this pod on zaadz, because I've just started working out at a gym and I LOVE it! I just finished an intense (for me) upper body workout this afternoon (plus riding hard several miles on my bike there and back) and I feel so strong, relaxed, and focused. I'm getting addicted to this already.

I'm digesting the info on this pod, and I'll post some other questions on the other sections of this pod soon, but here goes with my nutrition set:

I'm 42 years old and have had Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes since I was 12. I'm in fairly good shape, not overweight, no serious complications yet, including no eye problems—as a recent checkup confirmed—which I understand is important if one is going to do any intense heavy lifting.

Nutrition is an especially difficult subject for a diabetic. A lot of recommendations that are given as the most healthy way of eating for other people are often difficult, even impossible to incorporate into a diabetic diet if one wants to keep blood sugars predictable and in the normal range as often as possible.

My way of keeping my blood sugars close to normal is to follow an extremely low carb, high protein diet. (a controversial method advocated by a diabetic doctor, Richard K. Bernstein) Basically, no more than 12 grams of carb are allowed per meal, and these have to be extremely low on the glycemic index. The reason for this is that injected insulin is incapable of dealing predictably with large amounts of carbs turning into glucose.

 So looking at Rob's posting on the importance of protein at every meal, I'm glad to see that I'm on track in that regard.

Looking at his recommendation to eat 5 to 6 meals a day, I see some difficulties but perhaps, and that's a big perhaps, they can be surmounted with a clever insulin regimen and a bit of creativity.

My main answerable question here is really for Rob, and it's about the balance and actual nutritional make-up of these shakes—I don't have a box in my hand, and I can't find the specific nutritional info anywhere, which would tell me whether they are viable or not for me. It sounds like they probably have some fast-acting carbs. Do they? Anything that turns to glucose in the body quickly is not really possible for me to use in a regular meal although I might be able to use it before exercising.
Also, what is the actual amount of carbs per meal?—I can possibly deal with 15 grams or below, and perhaps a bit more if I eat it before exercise—which increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar.

Thanks so much for any light you can shed on this or any ideas you have.

Also, if anyone is familiar with these issues, or even knows a type 1 diabetic who is doing anything similar, or knows anyone who's worked with such questions before, I'd appreciate a connection.

I know these are not such common issues, and the difficulties of dealing with diabetes are so complex (and boring) to anyone not directly affected or with a professional interest in the subject, that it's really, really hard to give good advice in this area.

But I won't hold anyone liable for trying—any suggestions will be appreciated and I can deal with whether or not they are applicable.

Thanks, Jay 

Re: A Type 1 Diabetic's questions about nutrition

Jay,