You've just been told you have type 1 diabetes. What now? Managing type 1 diabetes is composed of a handful of elements: blood glucose control and insulin management, exercise, nutrition and support.
A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes means your pancreas is no longer capable of producing insulin. Through multiple daily injections with insulin pens or syringes or an insulin pump, it will be up to you to monitor your blood glucose levels and appropriately administer your insulin.
Exercise is a key component of proper diabetes care. Along with all of the other benefits you will receive from being active, your diabetes will also respond in kind with more stable blood glucose levels. Regardless of the type of diabetes you have, regular physical activity is important for your overall health and wellness. With type 1, it’s important to balance your insulin doses with the food you eat and the activity that you do – even if you are just doing house or yard work. Planning ahead and knowing your body’s typical blood glucose response to exercise can help you keep your blood glucose from going too low or too high. Some activities may cause your blood glucose to drop quickly while others do not. If your blood glucose levels are trending down before a workout, have a pre-exercise snack. Always carry a carbohydrate food or drink (like juice or glucose tabs) that will raise your blood glucose. It may take a while to figure out what works best for you. Sometimes people experience a drop in blood glucose during or after exercise, so it is very important to monitor your blood glucose, take proper precautions, and be prepared to treat hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).The right ingredients can make all the difference.
Nutritionists help attain and maintain optimal metabolic outcomes. They help provide adequate energy to ensure normal growth and development, integrate insulin regimens into usual eating and physical activity habits. Dietitians and nutritionists