The comparison of two mealtime insulin dosing algorithms for high and low glycaemic index meals in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Aims Postprandial glycaemic variability carries on being a clinical challenge in optimizing glucose control in type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare the postprandial glycaemic effects of carbohydrate counting and food insulin index algorithms following the consumption of protein‐rich, high‐fat meals with different glycaemic index (GI) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods A randomized, single‐blind and crossover trial included 15 adolescents aged 14–18 years with type 1 diabetes. Participants consumed two different test meals with similar energy, macronutrients and food insulin index but the approximately twofold difference in GI, in random order on four consecutive mornings at their home. Insulin dose for high‐ and low‐GI test meals was determined by using the carbohydrate counting and food insulin index algorithms. Four‐hour postprandial glycaemia was assessed by the continuous glucose monitoring system. Results Compared with carbohydrate counting, the food insulin index algorithm significantly decreased peak glucose excursion (−57%, p  = 0.02), incremental area under the curve (−65%, p  = 0.02) and coefficient variation of blood glucose (−37%, p  = 0.03) in the high‐GI meal, though there was no difference between the two algorithms in the low‐GI meal. The occurrence of hypoglycaemia did not significantly differ between insulin dosing algorithms for the high‐GI ( p  = 0.58) and low‐GI ( p  = 0.20) meals. Conclusions The food insulin index algorithm may be beneficial for postprandial glycaemic control after the consumption of high‐GI meals in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.