John U
MTB Precision
Not sure about type 2 diabetes but for me my aim is to get my blood sugars as close to a non diabetic as possible. I think if insulin doses were able to match a non diabetic then food intake for a given activity could be very similar to a non diabetic. Insulin injections are a bit of a blunt instrument though, and once you've had it there's no taking it out so then you need to consume food according to the insulin dose you've had and the intensity and duration of your physical effort.John, I'd just add that the simple sugars versus complex etc is stupidly different for a diabetic whether type 1 or type 2. I was only commenting on people without diabetes. Even someone with impaired glucose function might need to tread differently to an average person
I pack quite a bit of extra stuff every ride to cater for every possible scenario otherwise I could end up passed out on the track. Hasn't happened in 20 years of mountain biking as I always prepare well. 24 solo last year was interesting as it was unchartered territory but I found another diabetic who'd had quite a few goes at it and had podiumed. His advice turned out to be spot on.
I have to keep a constant eye on my blood sugar levels. If I go too low it can impact my ability to ride, make me cramp, and eventually make me pass out. Too high and it will cause dehydration, cramping, and long term complications. Simple sugars have an immediate impact which is good if I'm low but too much of it and it'll make me go too high. Complex carbs have a more level effect over a longer period which is more ideal for me on an average day when trying to thread the needle between too low and too high. From my experience though, it's not possible to get sufficient out put from complex carbs to provide enough energy for sustained intense activity so it needs to supplemented with constant input of small amounts of simple carbs.