Let's settle this debate once and for all: Does insulin cause weight gain? 

The answer is a resounding NO…

Now, I know there will be people who strongly agree or disagree with me on this matter. Some might argue that their doctors have told them otherwise. But have you ever stopped to think for yourself and question the information presented to you?

Let's dive into the topic.

Insulin itself does not cause weight gain. The real culprit behind weight gain is consuming too many calories, which then get stored as body fat. Insulin can play a role in facilitating this process, but it is not the underlying cause. 

Think of calories as raw materials for your body, just like wood, steel beams, and concrete are for building a house. You have inputs (calories) and outputs (energy expenditure). If you consume an excess of calories, your body will store them as fat. 

On the other hand, if you don't consume enough calories, you'll be in a calorie deficit, and your body won't have anything to ...

We have a tantalizing dish on the menu: Creamy Beef Curry. Thai cuisine at its finest!

Now, when it comes to curries, especially those with a coconut milk base like green curry, many people worry about their blood sugar levels spiking. And it's true, the coconut milk in the curry is relatively high in fat, low in carbs, and low in protein. This significant fat content can have an impact on your blood sugar later on.

Let's break down the components of this dish. We have tender beef, approximately 5 to 6 ounces, along with some delightful veggies – green veggies and a medley of other low-carb, non-starchy vegetables. These veggies generally have minimal impact on blood sugar levels. So far, we have beef, which is negligible in terms of carbs, and a substantial amount of coconut milk as the base of the curry.

From a dosing perspective, the curry itself may contain a small amount of carbs, around 20-25 grams. However, the main source of carbs will be the rice. Whether it's white or br...

It's time to address a common misconception: the belief that eating carbs at night leads to weight gain. Let's set the record straight and understand why this notion is incorrect.

The premise often put forth is that if you consume carbohydrates in the evening, such as Rice Krispies or any other food, your body will store them as fat since you're inactive during sleep and conserving energy.

However, this is far from the truth. The number of calories in a food item, whether consumed at 12 pm, 8 pm, or any other time of the day, remains the same. For example, if a serving of Rice Krispies Poppers contains 130 calories, it will always be 130 calories, regardless of when you eat it.

Weight gain occurs when you consistently consume more calories than you expend, resulting in a calorie surplus. Going to bed in a calorie deficit and then eating something like Rice Krispies Poppers or any other food does not automatically put you into a calorie surplus.

The notion that eating carbs at ni...

Let’s discuss a delicious food item that may pose challenges for blood sugar management—the Belly Breakfast Burrito.

We’re going to break down this culinary delight and learn how to dose insulin effectively.

Let's begin by analyzing the components of the burrito. Alongside the burrito, you'll notice a side serving of rice, approximately a quarter cup, which equates to about 10 grams of carbohydrates. The generous portion of black beans accompanying the meal adds around 25-30 grams of net carbs due to the high fiber content.

Now, let's examine the burrito itself. Inside, you'll find succulent pork belly and a considerable amount of eggs. Assuming the entire tortilla is filled with eggs, we can estimate the presence of three to five eggs. From a carbohydrate standpoint, eggs have minimal impact. Pork belly, being higher in fat than protein, contains negligible carbs as well. The tortilla, however, is likely to contribute around 45 grams of carbs, considering its size.

So far, we ha...

We're diving into a breakfast favorite: steak and eggs Benedict.

But before we indulge, let's explore the important factors to consider when it comes to dosing for this delicious meal.

Understanding the Components

Let's break down the elements of our dish. We start with a Traditional Plain English muffin, which adds approximately 22 grams of carbs to the equation. Moving on, we have two eggs, which contain no carbs and require no specific considerations. Next up, we have a generous portion of steak and some mushrooms. Both mushrooms and steak have negligible carb content, but it's crucial to account for the protein in the steak which is probably around 5 ounces. 

Now, let's talk about the sauces that accompany our dish. On one side, we have the ever-popular hollandaise sauce—a delightful mixture of fat and flavors. On the other side, we find everyone's favorite: melted cheese. While the carb content remains low, we must consider the fat content contributed by the steak, eggs,...

Let’s dispel the notion that individuals with diabetes can't enjoy certain foods, such as Italian pasta.

Often, people assume that these carb-heavy dishes are off-limits due to blood sugar concerns. Many people fell in love with Italian cuisine, including the delectable chicken carbonara pasta. We will guide you through the process of estimating carb content and managing blood sugar levels when indulging in this Italian delight.

Let's break down the components of chicken carbonara pasta from a carb perspective. We'll disregard the chicken and bacon as they have minimal impact. The creamy sauce and other ingredients won't significantly contribute to carb count either. The crucial element is pasta. 

To estimate the carb content, a handy rule of thumb is to assume approximately two and a half to three cups of pasta in a dish of this size. Since it's best shared with a friend, let's settle on two and a half cups, which translates to around 112 grams of carbs.

Remember, if the pasta i...

Mexican cuisine is beloved by many for its rich flavors and diverse options.

However, for individuals managing their blood sugar levels, dining out at restaurants can present challenges. 

While popular chains like Chipotle offer convenient nutritional information, what happens when you visit a local Mom and Pop restaurant? Let’s explore the intricacies of dosing for Mexican food and provide insights into managing blood sugar levels when dining at different establishments.

Dosing for Mexican Food

The Chipotle 

Chipotle, a well-known Mexican-inspired fast-food chain, offers a user-friendly nutritional calculator to help patrons determine the carb content of their meals. With options like rice, chicken, and a variety of toppings, it becomes easier to estimate the impact on blood sugar levels. For instance, a half to three-quarters cup of rice contributes around 35-40 grams of carbohydrates, while broccoli and crispy bacon add negligible amounts. Chicken and cheese are typically low...

Let’s discuss a popular dish that might catch you off guard when it comes to dosing: Greek Salad.

It's everyone’s all-time favorite, but it requires some careful consideration. Let's break it down so you can confidently dose your insulin the next time you indulge in this culinary delight.

Understanding the Carbs

When assessing the carb content of Greek Salad, we need to identify the components that contribute to it. The cheese dressing and tzatziki sauce are unlikely to have a significant carb content. The Pita is 32 grams of carbs. While the carb content in veggies is generally low, we need to account for any potatoes present, as they can add more substantial carbs, so for this potato salad is ¼-¾ cup, this could be 15 grams of carbs. The total would be 47 grams, or if you like to be specific, that would be 50 grams of carbs. The caveat of course, is there will always be fat and protein. Let’s break down the protein, so there’s Feta cheese and gyro meat which probably be around 6...

Living with type 1 diabetes can sometimes be challenging, especially when it comes to managing blood sugar levels while enjoying delicious foods.

Let’s explore a delightful southern feast, Let’s navigate its carb content and make informed choices to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Southern Fried Chicken

The portion size appears to be around eight ounces, and while it may have minimal carbs due to smoking, it's essential to pay attention to any hidden ingredients, such as marinades or coatings. To estimate the carb content, a food database or similar resources can be utilized.

Mac and Cheese

The serving size looks like three-quarters of a cup, which is more than half a cup. As pasta typically contains around 30 grams of carbs per cup, we can estimate the carb content of the mac and cheese accordingly.

Sweet Potato Casserole

This dish is a wildcard since it contains sweet potatoes, or there could be some brown sugar, and potentially other ingredients like butter. To estimate...

French fries, those golden, crispy, and utterly delicious strips of deep-fried potatoes, hold a special place in the hearts and palates of people around the world.

Loved by young and old alike, french fries have become an iconic symbol of fast food culture and comfort food. But if you are managing your blood sugar,are you still allowed to eat french fries?

Let’s answer that question by breaking down Extra Large Smokehouse Fries.

These fries are loaded with deliciousness, featuring brisket, barbecue sauce, scallions, melted cheese, and even some bacon bits. It looks like a dream come true for food enthusiasts, but for many, it might seem like a nightmare in terms of managing blood sugar levels.

Let's simplify the nutritional breakdown, so it becomes more manageable and less overwhelming. We'll turn this into simple arithmetic.

The fries alone, being an extra large order, would typically contain around 60-65 grams of carbs. Let's estimate an additional 25 grams for the toppings, m...