Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1694 Bolus 4 – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Jenny Smith
Date: November 29, 2025
Overview:
In this Bolus 4 mini-episode, Scott Benner and diabetes educator Jenny Smith break down practical strategies for bolusing insulin for a classic treat: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They follow the Meal Bolt framework, addressing nuances like pre-bolus timing, the effects of fat and sugar on blood sugar, and real-life strategies for both kids and adults living with Type 1 Diabetes. The discussion is friendly, practical, and filled with insights aimed at helping listeners gain confidence bolusing for less “diabetes-friendly” foods.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Understanding the Nutritional Impact
- Scott looks up the nutritional facts for a standard package (1.5 oz/2 cups):
- 12g fat (4.5g saturated)
- 24g carbohydrates (22g sugar, 2g fiber)
- 210 calories
- Noted the presence of food additives and bioengineered ingredients.
- “There must be iron, calcium, and potassium in everything, because no matter what junky food comes up, it always has those three simple ingredients.” (Scott, 02:00)
Treat vs. Treatment
- Reese’s are commonly consumed as snacks or desserts, not as low BG treatment.
- Jenny: “When you’re treating a low, one of the first three ingredients...should be dextrose or glucose. It just should... So enjoy your Reese’s, but don’t use them as a treatment for a low.” (05:09)
The Effects of Sugar and Fat
- The high sugar (22g out of 24g carbs) makes these fast-acting, while the considerable fat slows digestion.
- Fat content (12g) accounts for a large portion of calories, “probably about 50%... comes from fat.” (05:00)
- “With candy, there’s total sugars too...and when you’re talking about bolusing strategy, that’s another piece that can be very valuable.” (Jenny, 05:44)
Bolus Strategy: Pre-Bolus is Key
- Jenny’s guidance:
- If BG in target or rising: “Pre-bolus, my estimate would be at least 20 minutes, 15–20 minutes for a pre-bolus for this.” (Jenny, 06:52)
- If you can’t pre-bolus: Scott recommends bolusing for the label amount, but acknowledges a spike will happen. “I would try to pre-bolus the spike...make a more aggressive bolus than the label called for if there was no pre-bolus. Absolutely.” (Scott, 07:21–08:10)
- Jenny names this as the “super bolus” concept (from John Walsh): “If you can’t pre-bolus, then give an overage right now. You’re still going to get more spike than if you had pre-bolus, but it’s not going to be as high as if you don’t give extra right now.” (08:10)
Real-Life Adjustments
- Context matters: If it’s Halloween and a child wants a Reese’s now, flexibility and understanding spikes are important.
- Scott: “If you’re 70 and falling, don’t reach for chocolate. But if you were out trick-or-treating and you’re 120 diagonal down, this is a perfect time for a Reese’s.” (08:46)
- Timing and amount are everything:
- “Everything about diabetes is timing and amount. I mean that about insulin and I mean that about the food.” (Scott, 09:05)
Looking Beyond One Food
- Acknowledgement that all processed snacks, especially chocolate and candy, combine sugar, fat, and salt in a way that’s designed to be highly palatable and “addictive.”
- Both host and guest personally prefer small amounts of chocolate chips (either dark or mixed) instead of commercial candies to satisfy cravings.
Memorable Quotes & Timestamps
- [03:02] Jenny: “...so it doesn’t get all hard as a rock in the package before you eat it 20 years from now in your bunker.”
- [05:09] Jenny: “When you’re treating a low, one of the first three ingredients...should be dextrose or glucose... So enjoy your Reese’s, but don’t use them as a treatment for a low.”
- [06:52] Jenny: “Pre-bolus, my estimate would be at least 20 minutes, 15–20 minutes for a pre-bolus for this.”
- [08:10] Jenny: “It’s actually a concept by John Walsh. He calls it the super bolus... If you can’t pre-bolus, then give an overage right now.”
- [09:05] Scott: “Everything about diabetes is timing and amount. I mean that about the insulin and I mean that about the food.”
- [10:35] Jenny: “I have a piece of chocolate every day... usually the 90%, at least 85%, 90%. It’s the dark chocolate...my taste buds are much more satisfied with the richness of that dark chocolate.”
Key Strategies (Meal Bolt Framework Recap)
- M – Measure the meal: Review carbs, fat, protein, glycemic load.
- E – Evaluate yourself: Check starting BG, insulin on board, activity, stress, etc.
- A – Add base units: Calculate insulin dose for carbs.
- L – Layer a correction: Adjust based on current BG.
- B – Build the bolus shape: Decide on up-front, combo, or extended bolus.
- O – Offset the timing: Pre-bolus 15–20 min for this candy, unless BG is trending low.
- L – Look at the CGM: Watch for spikes and delayed rises.
- T – Tweak for next time: Use data to modify future approach.
(For more on Meal Bolt, see juiceboxpodcast.com/meal-bolt)
Practical Summary for Listeners
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are high in sugar, but also in fat; they digest a bit more slowly than pure sugar candies.
- Best to pre-bolus 15–20 minutes if your BG is in range; more aggressive strategies (super bolus) might be needed if you can’t pre-bolus.
- Never use chocolate for hypoglycemia; opt for pure glucose/dextrose-based options.
- Real-world context (such as holidays or kids’ treats) requires adaptability—sometimes, rolling with the spike and responding later is realistic.
- Always review blood sugar curves afterward and adjust your bolus strategy for next time.
Closing
Scott and Jenny’s tone is relatable, supportive, and infused with humor. They reinforce that the “perfect” bolus is often about trial, error, learning, and tweaking for the next time. Above all, they empower listeners to be “bold with insulin” and less fearful about living well with diabetes—even when a Reese’s is calling your name.
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