The Warsaw Method (Fat/Protein Units)
Carbohydrates are not the only macronutrient that impacts glucose. Protein converts to glucose via gluconeogenesis, and high fat delays gastric emptying. The Warsaw formula calculates Fat-Protein Units (FPU) to dose insulin for these delayed spikes.
| Macronutrient | Conversion Rate | Absorption Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 100% to glucose | 15-120 minutes |
| Protein | ~50% to glucose | 3-5 hours |
| Fat | < 10% | Delays carbs by 2-6 hours |
Dual-Wave and Extended Bolusing
If you eat a high-fat meal (pizza) and deliver the bolus upfront, the insulin peaks before the carbs absorb, causing hypoglycemia. 3 hours later, the food absorbs and causes severe hyperglycemia.
You must use your pump's Extended Bolus feature. A common starting point for pizza is a 30% upfront / 70% extended over 4 hours split. Control-IQ limits extended boluses to 2 hours, which is often insufficient for heavy meals, forcing users to use manual injections to override.
Algorithm Interference
If you use an unannounced meal system via DIY, the algorithm will see the delayed fat spike and hammer it with Super Micro-Boluses (SMB). This often works better than manual extended bolusing.
FAQ
- How do I count protein?
- 100 kcal of fat/protein equals 1 FPU (Fat-Protein Unit). Treat 1 FPU as 10g of carbs, but extend the delivery over 3+ hours.
- Why does caffeine spike me?
- Caffeine stimulates adrenaline, triggering a liver glycogen dump. It requires an insulin bolus despite having zero carbs. Use our Correction Calculator.