An adolescent with type 1 diabetes mellitus will become a member of the school's football cheerleader team. The adolescent excitedly reports to the school nurse to obtain information regarding adjustments needed in the treatment plan for the diabetes. The school nurse would explain to the adolescent to take which action?

Take the prescribed insulin 30 minutes before practice or game time rather than in the morning. Insulin timing should generally be consistent with meal times to match insulin action with food intake. Adjusting timing without medical advice can lead to imbalanced blood sugar levels. Eat half the amount of food normally eaten at lunchtime. Eating less food than usual can lead to hypoglycemia during prolonged physical activity and is not recommended. Eat six graham crackers or drink a cup of orange juice before practice or game time. This action helps to prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity by providing quick-acting carbohydrates that can be readily absorbed and utilized by the body. Take two times the amount of prescribed insulin on practice and game days. Doubling insulin doses without medical supervision can lead to hypoglycemia and is not appropriate for managing blood sugar during physical activity.