Smart Correction Tips from a Type 1 Diabetes Dietitian
For people living with type 1 diabetes, navigating high blood sugar can feel like a constant balancing act
One minute their blood sugar is too high, and the next it’s crashing. This all-too-common experience is something every Type 1 diabetes dietitian and Diabetes Educator knows well — and it’s often caused by something called “insulin stacking.”
Let’s set the scene: someone with Type 1 diabetes notices their blood sugar is high. They’ve already taken a corrective dose of insulin. They’ve had water. Maybe they’ve even walked around a bit, hoping the activity will bring their blood sugar back into range. But the number isn’t budging.
What happens next? If they’re like many people with Type 1 diabetes, they’ll feel frustrated and take another dose — a "rage bolus." Then maybe another. Eventually, the insulin kicks in all at once, and their blood sugar crashes. Welcome to the blood sugar roller coaster.
But there’s a better way, and it starts with understanding how insulin works — and listening to the right experts, like a certified diabetes dietitian or Diabetes Educator.
Timing Is Everything
The most important thing to remember? Timing. After a correction dose, it’s critical to wait before giving more insulin. Ideally, a person should wait at least two hours. Why?
Because rapid-acting insulin, the kind typically used for corrections, takes time to work. By the two-hour mark, about 90% of that insulin has already been used by the body. If someone dose again too soon, they’re not letting the first dose finish working. This leads to insulin stacking and too much insulin active at once, which is a recipe for low blood sugar.
Why Education Matters in Diabetes Care
Whether someone is managing type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, having the right education can be life-changing. For those with type 2 diabetes, insulin use might not be as common, but understanding how food, activity, and medications interact is just as important.
Unfortunately, not everyone is taught this important step in diabetes management. Many people aren’t told this by their endocrinologist or care team. This is why working with a knowledgeable Type 1 diabetes dietitian or Diabetes Educator is so important. These specialists focus not just on food and insulin, but on the timing, patterns, and real-life challenges people with diabetes face every day. They can guide patients through personalized correction strategies, helping them avoid frustrating highs and dangerous lows. They help patients make sustainable nutrition and lifestyle choices. They teach how to keep blood sugar stable through meal planning, portion control, and strategic exercise. They also play a crucial role in helping patients prevent complications and reduce their reliance on medications over time.
Both T1D and T2D patients benefit from working with someone who can connect the dots — and that’s what a diabetes dietitian does best. They go beyond calorie counts and carb limits. They focus on the full picture: blood sugar patterns, lifestyle habits, medication timing, and patient goals.
Don’t Go It Alone
If you’re stuck in a cycle of high blood sugars and rage bolusing, it’s a sign you may need better support. Many people with diabetes never receive the full education they need at diagnosis, making it easy to fall into frustrating patterns. A registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator can help you break that cycle with real-world strategies, not just textbook advice, whether you're managing insulin, reading blood sugar trends, or tackling cravings and stress eating.
The Bottom Line
Living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be frustrating with having the right guidance makes all the difference. You take control not just of your food choices, but your overall lifestyle. When blood sugar runs high, knowing when to act and when to wait can prevent crashes, reduce stress, and stop the cycle of rage bolusing, replacing it with confident, informed decisions backed by expert support.
