The Effects of Carbohydrate VS. Protein Dinners On Blood Glucose

Abstract I chose this project because it is so important to me to know how to control my blood sugars better, since my health and life depend on it. Different meal plans were set, making sure that I have seven dinners high in protein and seven dinners high in carbohydrates. Constants included the glucometer I used, the types of needles and test strips, the insulin pump and type of insulin, and the insulin basal rate. I reviewed the recipes and made sure that I checked my blood sugar before each dinner to know my starting value. About two hours after eating dinner, when the insulin had already been administered, I rechecked my blood sugar. The first seven dinners I chose had a high carbohydrate count. I noticed that after dinner I felt tired and that in a short time I was hungry again. My blood sugar readings were higher than I wanted them to be and I needed to administer additional insulin for hyperglycemia correction. The last seven meals of the experiment were the dinners high in protein count. I noticed that after dinner I felt full for a longer period of time; I didn’t feel tired nor did I experience high and low levels of energy. I had a continuous, stable level. My blood sugar readings were controlled with a smaller amount of insulin and did not require a correction after the two-hour check. The conclusion of the project was that the protein dinners helped me to have a more stabilized blood sugar, resulting in a healthier lifestyle. My blood sugars did not fluctuate as much as they did with the dinners high in carbohydrates.

Purpose This experiment was chosen because I wanted to see the changes in my blood sugar due to what I eat. If I find what type of meal works best for my Type 1 Diabetes, then I can have a better control of my blood glucose.

Problem: What keeps my blood sugars more controlled, a carbohydrate or protein dinner?

Literature Search: Type 1 Diabetes is a auto-immune disease, which affects many people. Blood sugars are affected by hormones, carbohydrates, exercise, and many more. In Type 1 Diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.

Literature search: Protein is built up of amino acids. Protein is a nutrient the body needs to survive. Carbohydrates are the main source of Energy. There are good carbohydrates and bad ones.

Literature search: The pancreas is in charge of producing insulin, a hormone that tells cells to absorb blood sugar for energy and storage. “These carbohydrates are composed of sugars (such as fructose and glucose) which have simple chemical structures composed of only one sugar (monosaccharides) or two sugars (disaccharides).” Simple carbs are easily used for energy by the body because of their simple chemical structure. This usually leads to a faster rise in blood sugar and insulin flow from the pancreas, which can have negative results.

Background Information Protein is known to have a minimal effect on blood glucose levels with adequate insulin. “The reason why protein does not increase blood glucose levels is unclear. Several possibilities might explain the response: a slow conversion of protein to glucose, less protein being converted to glucose and released than previously thought, glucose from protein being incorporated into hepatic glycogen stores but not increasing the rate of hepatic glucose release, or because the process of gluconeogenesis from protein occurs over a period of hours and glucose can be disposed of if presented for utilization slowly and evenly over a long time period.”

Hypothesis If I eat high protein dinners, then my blood sugars will be within a healthy range.

Experimental Design Table IV DV Control Group Constants Repeated Trials High protein versus high carbohydrate dinners Blood sugar levels High carb dinner because that is the typical dinner I eat on a weekly basis Glucometer, insulin pump, insulin basal rate 7 trials for high carb and 7 trials for high protein

Materials: Glucometer Needles and test strips Insulin pump Different types of food Carb and Protein Log Nutrition Search

Procedures: High Carb Dinner Start in the morning. Check blood sugar. Calculate all carbohydrates for dinner Eat! Get insulin Check blood sugar two hours after meal Repeat for 6 more days to be a total of 7 days

Procedures: High Protein Dinner Start in the morning. Check Blood Sugar Calculate grams of protein for dinner EAT! Get insulin Check blood sugar two hours after meal Repeat 6 more days to be a total of 7 days

Table 1: The Effects of a High Carb Dinner on Blood Glucose Levels Day Number Amount of Carbohydrates (g) Blood Glucose Levels (mg/dL) 1 50 AM: 213 PM: 231 2 64 AM: 209 PM: 219 3 69 AM: 222 PM: 217 4 71 AM: 207 PM: 221 5 75 AM: 214 PM: 256 6 86 AM: 261 PM: 279 7 92 AM: 258 PM: 315

Table 2: The Effects of a High Protein Dinner on Blood Glucose Levels Day Number Amount of Proteins (g) Blood Glucose Levels (mg/dL) Day 8 21 AM: 136 PM: 187 Day 9 25 AM: 203 PM: 222 Day 10 27 AM: 165 PM: 221 Day 11 31 AM: 197 PM: 233 Day 12 33 AM: 219 PM: 217 Day 13 36 AM: 193 PM: 234 Day 14 38 AM: 212 PM: 197

Effects of a High Carb Dinner on Blood Glucose Levels Blood Glucose (mg/dL) Number of Carbs (grams)

Effect of a High Protein Dinner on Blood Glucose Blood Glucose (mg/dL) Amount of Protein (g)

Discussion This experiment was successful. It showed that incorporating a high protein dinner into a Type 1 diabetic’s diet, keeps blood sugars more controlled than having a high carbohydrate dinner. I did this experiment for 14 days, 7 for high carbohydrate dinners, and 7 for high protein. This experiment was a daily process in which I checked my blood sugar in the morning, then at dinner time, calculated the carbohydrates and protein, ate, got insulin, and checked my blood sugar 2 hours after I ate the meal. After I was done with my experiment, I put all my data together and looked at the results. My blood sugars were better controlled with the high protein diet. Protein is known for its effect on balancing blood sugar and avoiding sharp high or lows in glucose readings. The only change I would make, would be with my high protein meals. I would make sure to have an adequate amount of carbs with my high protein meals to have a better understanding on how protein affects blood glucose readings. Overall, I think this experiment was a fun way of seeing how high amounts of carbohydrates and protein affect the body.

Electronic supplies needed for the experiment. Upper Left: Glucometer, needles, and test strips Bottom Right: Insulin pump

High protein food choices

High Carbohydrate food choices

References Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar. (2015). Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/c arbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/ Franz, M. (1997, November 1). Protein: Metabolism and effect on blood glucose levels. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9416027 Type 1 Diabetes. (2015). Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/ What are Carbohydrates? What is Glucose? (2015). Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161547.php