A doctor will put you on a low-carb diet if you are diagnosed with diabetes. This type of diet is designed to keep your blood sugars at optimum levels. However, when you have diabetes and become sick with flu symptoms, your blood sugar levels may rise to dangerous levels. You have to be diligent in managing your diabetes even when you do not feel well. Sick day plans and having low-carb snacks on hand may help you cope with the flu symptoms.
Sick Day Plan
Set up your sick day plan with your diabetes management team before you become sick. The plan should include what and how to eat, which medicines to take and which medicines to avoid. You should also know how often to test your blood sugar and urine ketone levels and when it is time to call the doctor. Keep a notebook handy with essential telephone numbers and a place for recording blood sugar testing times and levels.
Sick Day Diet
You should try to stick to your diabetic carbohydrate diet when you feel the first flu symptoms, such as aching, nausea or headache, coming on. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating 50 g of carbohydrate every three to four hours. The Joslin Diabetes Center advises using mild sugar-free foods to control blood sugar levels. If you are having trouble keeping these foods down, the American Diabetes Association says small amounts of regular soda, gelatin, applesauce and soup can help.
Low-Carb Snacks
Eating and drinking can be a real chore when you have the flu, but it is essential you do so to maintain blood sugar control. Snacks containing 15 g of carbs can help you keep food down when eating a full meal is impossible. Crackers, soup, ice cream, mashed potatoes and custard portions can be adjusted to 15 carbs or less. Call your doctor if you experience continuous vomiting and cannot keep food or liquids down.
Controlling Flu Symptoms
Flu symptoms can be minimized with over-the-counter drugs, but some of these drugs may not be appropriate for diabetics. Some contain sugar, while others have sugar alcohols. Both types of carbohydrates will push already high blood sugars higher into dangerous levels. Read the drug labels and ask your doctor or pharmacist beforehand which medicines you can take, and then stock up on them. You may not feel well enough to leave home and purchase drugs when you are sick.
