Type 1 Diabetes Educator Drew Harrisberg Says Find The Foods That Don't Agree With You | Men's Health Magazine Australia

Drew Harrisberg On Why You Should Learn What Foods Work For You

Taking to Instagram, the noticeably ripped fitfluencer, shared a side-by-side photo. On the left, a toned Harrisberg who doesn’t need to be told he has a flat stomach. The after photo? A profile shot with a belly that makes him look 3 months in.   Harrisberg explains that even the health-conscious aren’t immune to bloating and […]

Taking to Instagram, the noticeably ripped fitfluencer, shared a side-by-side photo. On the left, a toned Harrisberg who doesn’t need to be told he has a flat stomach. The after photo? A profile shot with a belly that makes him look 3 months in.  

Harrisberg explains that even the health-conscious aren’t immune to bloating and as a diabetic, the side-effects can be more serious. 

“Bloating is actually a really big problem for people with type 1 diabetes, especially if the bloating is accompanied by delayed gastric emptying,” he wrote. 

RELATED: “I’ve Not Only Accepted Living With Diabtes, I’ve Learned To Love It”

“The combo can really mess up blood glucose levels. Why? Insulin and glucose absorption are meant to work synergistically i.e the action of insulin needs to match the rate of glucose enterting the bloodstream so that your blood glucose stays in the normal range. If your digestion halts while insulin is in the system, your blood glucose level can initially drop too low followed by delayed rebound hyperglycaemia (high BGL). Why the high? When your meal eventually gets digested and enters the bloodstream, there’s no more insulin around to allow it access into the cells of the body.” 

“This is exactly what happened to me after taking this photo. When I went to bed my BGL was 5. Smack bang in the normal range. Then a few hours later I woke up in the middle of the night and my BGL was 14! ????That’s why I stick to 99.9% whole food meals. The only time I run into problems is if I eat out at a restaurant where I don’t know the ingredients they use. There are hidden oils, sugars and flours everywhere! To add to yesterday’s tips: Eat to about 85% full so that your digestion can function properly, especially if you suffer from gastroparesis. Identify foods that are troublesome for you,” he continues. 

Harrisberg’s recommendation to combat poor digestion? Learn the foods that are an issue for you – even he isn’t sure why chickpea flour triggers inflammation in the stomach.

“For me certain FODMAPS are problematic, in particular raw onion and garlic (cooked is fine). Chickpea flour is also an issue for some reason. Certain food combinations can cause issues (combining cooked and raw as well as eating fruit after cooked meals). And of course fried food is another red flag especially in combination with carbs because the fats can interfere with insulin signalling as well as slow down digestion and absorption (plus if you’re eating fried food at a restaurant you don’t know what kind of oil they use for frying). The takeaway message: be the lead scientist of your own self-experiment. I hope these tips help you to avoid future pregnancies…food-pregnancies that is ????????,” he adds. 

However, remember, if you are struggling with ongoing issues and in considerable discomfort, it’s important to consult with a medical professional. 

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