What should a patient do if anticipating exercise when insulin is not peaking?

When anticipating exercise while insulin is not peaking, it is essential to consider how physical activity impacts blood glucose levels. During exercise, especially aerobic activities, glucose utilization by muscles increases, often leading to a decrease in blood glucose levels. If insulin is not peaking, the risk of hypoglycemia can be significant due to the increased demand for glucose during exercise.

Eating a larger snack before the activity or adjusting the insulin dose helps to ensure that the body has adequate glucose available during exercise. This preemptive action can help maintain safe blood glucose levels, preventing hypo- or hyperglycemic episodes. Consuming carbohydrates provides the necessary energy and can offset the potential blood sugar drop that might occur during physical activity.

The other options suggest measures that do not adequately address the risk of hypoglycemia in this scenario. Skipping exercise would not be beneficial, as physical activity is crucial for overall health and can help manage diabetes. Increasing insulin doses may further complicate blood sugar regulation and contribute to hypoglycemia. Consulting a specialist may be advisable under other circumstances, but immediate adjustments to food intake are more appropriate in this specific context to safely engage in exercise.