Thats a good question. I test my blood sugar VERY often, probably about 8 times a day in order to gain good levels of blood sugar. I dont always go for the regular insulin right away if i have a high number only because, in a few hours they will drop by them selves anyway without any extra insulin. What i will do is, test again in about 45 minutes, and see if they have dropped at all . If they went higher thats when i will probably go for the short acting insulin. I usually never have a problem with high blood sugar in the afternoon. Usually about 2 hours after dinner if i feel really tired and run down or very thirsty, will i test my blood sugar. If i dont have these symptoms i dont usualy test till about 10:00 pm. I've had diabetes for 24 years now and i almost have it down to a science with the way my body reacts to certain foods, and knowing what will drive my blood sugar up, and what will help it come down without insulin. Its amazing how certain things affect the body and how it reacts and affects our blood sugar.What usually happens to me is.... i can be on a pattern where my blood sugars are like clockwork every day for a few months, and then it all changes and starts a new "routine" . I guess My having b.cepacia has somehting to do with this, since infection affects the blood sugar. Oh well, now im rambling.... Oh, in answer to your question about losing the calories, look at it this way, if you took extra insulin, you will probably have to eat again, so you will gain any calories ( maybe more than)you have lost. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Diane 39 / cf / diabetes / b.cepacia