Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1702 – Defining Diabetes: S.W.A.G
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Jenny
Date: December 7, 2025
Overview
This episode of the Juicebox Podcast continues the "Defining Diabetes" series by clearly explaining the meaning and usage of the acronym "SWAG" in the context of Type 1 diabetes management. Scott Benner and Jenny talk through its origins, common interpretations, why it's such a relatable concept, and how it practically applies to life with diabetes. Through their relaxed, honest conversation, listeners gain insight and reassurance about the very real and sometimes imprecise business of carb counting and insulin dosing.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
What is "SWAG"? - Defining the Acronym
- "SWAG" stands for "Scientific Wild-Ass Guess," but as Jenny and Scott note, there are endless variations and interpretations among people with diabetes.
- Definition in practice: Using experience and intuition to estimate the carbohydrate content of a meal (or make other decisions) when there is no precise information available.
Jenny (01:31):
“I have always, eons ago, when it sort of first came into my vernacular, it has always been 'scientific wild-ass guess.' Like you are totally estimating. You’re guessing. You’re looking at that plate and you’re like, ah, I don’t know, 45 grams of car[b].”
SWAG in Daily Diabetes Management
- Common Usage: SWAGging is typically employed in situations where carb counts aren’t labeled or easily calculable—at restaurants, family gatherings, or spontaneous social events.
- Universality: Scott emphasizes that everyone, at some point, relies on SWAG, making it an integral and shared part of diabetes management.
- Confidence and Accuracy Improve with Experience: Over time, SWAGs can become quite accurate. Past experiences inform new estimates, leading to better outcomes.
Jenny (03:06):
“With enough time with diabetes, even your SWAG becomes pretty accurate … It might be 20 grams off. But that’s pretty darn close.”
The Emotional Reality Behind SWAG
- Caution and Error: It’s common to undercount at restaurants or unfamiliar situations, often out of caution. Jenny shares that "restaurants are commonly undercounted by a fair percent—it could be 10 to 25% that you’re undercounting by with that little subconscious hint of, I don’t know, I’ll be a little cautious.” (05:29)
- Lessons from Mistakes: Scott shares how historical patterns and corrections help refine future SWAGs. Mistakes aren’t failures but valuable data for next time.
Scott (04:09):
“I thought this was the impact of 50 carbs. It is funny. I don’t even think about it as 50 carbs anymore. I think of it as the impact of an idea … so next time I guess that same thing, I was like, well, last time it was, you know, I put 50 carbs in and I ended up correcting another unit. So let’s just throw that unit into the bolus this time.”
Encouragement & Normalization
- Everyone Swags: Both hosts reassure listeners that even “experienced” people guess, and often. Feeling uncertain is entirely normal and commonly shared.
- Social Sharing: Jenny notes enjoying online communities where people share “total SWAG” meal results along with their blood glucose numbers as encouragement.
Scott (05:43):
“If you’re listening and you feel like, oh, no, I’m always guessing. I don’t know. I hope it’s comforting to know that that’s what everybody’s doing.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Jenny (02:45): “SWAG in general, despite it having words to the letters, it is just equal to 'I guess.'”
- Scott (03:01): “I don’t know. That looks like… 120. Like, you know, you’re at the Cinnabon and you’re like, I don’t know.”
- Jenny (03:40): “It’s fun when people also … post pictures and it does give, especially when they’ve achieved—'this was a total SWAG' and they see this lovely looking blood sugar result. And it totally worked.”
Key Timestamps
- 01:31 – 02:45: Origin and definition(s) of "SWAG"
- 03:06 – 03:23: SWAG accuracy with experience
- 04:09 – 04:51: Learning from corrections—how “SWAG science” evolves
- 05:12 – 05:43: Under-counting and cautious estimation in restaurants
Tone & Style
The episode maintains Scott’s trademark friendliness and Jenny’s approachable expertise. Their practical outlook and candidness foster a sense of camaraderie: “SWAG isn’t a failure; it’s a fact of diabetes life.”
Summary Takeaway
“SWAG” is a humorous but deeply practical concept in diabetes management, representing the reality that sometimes all we can do is make our best, most educated guess—and that’s good enough. With shared stories and gentle humor, the hosts demystify and normalize the art of the guess, encouraging listeners to accept imperfection and learn as they go.
For further clarifications or deeper dives into basic concepts, listeners are encouraged to check out the "Bold Beginnings" and "Small Sips" series on the Juicebox Podcast.