Do I need to make diet adjustments for moderate exercise? Type 2, no meds.
I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic in September of 2024. I was prescribed a Libre CGM and Jardiance. After a few months with drastic diet changes, I was able to lose 30 pounds and get off Jardiance. I have been on no meds and diet controlled for about 18 months. My last A1C 6 months ago was a 5.4. I have not incorporated formal exercise into my regime but I would really like to. I am not sedentary as I have young kids, but I am not on any strict weightlifting, running or even walking program. The reason is my fear of going low and I will explain where this comes from.
About 2 months ago I had reached a breaking point with my CGM. It was consistently giving me incorrect information. Finger sticks would be higher than CGM readings, and my CGM would give me alerts about going lower than normal that were flat out wrong. I didn't even know about compression lows, so obviously every so often in the middle of the night I'd wake up to the CGM alarm, I'd freak out, eat a bunch of glucose tabs and spend the rest of the night riding the up and down rollercoaster. I feel like I've been conditioned to believe that I could low at any time and basically just pass away from hypoglycemia.
My doctor and I decided that a CGM was not necessary anymore. I had mastered my diet, knew which foods affected me and the psychological effect was not worth it anymore. I now rely solely on finger sticks, but I rarely ever do them because my diet is extremely consistent. I do not drink, smoke or eat any sweets.
But I am still wary of moderate exercise. I do not want to run a marathon, but next week my family and I are going on vacation and we will be doing some moderate hikes, swimming etc. Do I need to make adjustments with my diet? I do not eat any processed carbs or sugars, or have cheat meals/days etc. Do I need to eat extra bread before a hike? A granola bar with 7 grams of sugar?
My doctor has told me that a Type 2 on no meds is at the same level of risk for hypoglycemia as a person without diabetes. That is, the risk is always there, but it's extremely minimal. Is this true with moderate exercise as well?
Do I need to finger stick every 20 minutes on a hike to make sure I'm within range?
If I am not on any diabetic meds or insulin, am I at risk for lows while moderately exercising?
I do not skip meals, nor would I skip meals on this trip, but is a high protein/fiber/natural carb diet enough to sustain my blood glucose through moderate (2-3 mile) hiking? Does my body need more carbs/sugar to sustain me? This sounds like a weird question, but will my strictness and adherence to a diabetic-friendly diet make me more susceptible to hypoglycemia while exercising?
I will bring plenty of water, glucose tabs and diabetic friendly snacks on the hike, but I still cannot shake this feeling that I'll need to be rescued and dragged off of a small mountain.
I know this is not a place to share medical advice and guidance, I guess I'm looking for those in a similar situation to me and what has worked/nit worked for them.
Thank you.