Sleeping better for people living with diabetes: Tips for your body and mind.
Sleep is a fundamental need for the body. It affects emotional well-being, cognitive function, daytime performance and physical health. Poor sleep quality can influence weight, appetite and mental health, and has been associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk. It can also affect your body's sensitivity to insulin1. For most adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is optimal, whereas a child can require between 8 and 15 hours of sleep each day1. If you aren't getting the sleep you need, some causes may be caffeine or alcohol consumption, diet...
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A Stockpile Of Snacks
When you need to eat something, there’s only one defense against fast food restaurants: be prepared! Lunch ideas Low-sodium vegetable or minestrone soup Veggie chili Tuna salad with low-fat mayonnaise, diced celery, lemon juice and peppercorns in a whole wheat tortilla Whole wheat pita with turkey, hummus, dried tomatoes, feta cheese and spinach Quinoa salad with red beans, broccoli, coloured...
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Talking about diabetes at school
So your child is starting school, attending a new one, or switching classes? If they’re living with diabetes, one thing’s for sure: they will have to talk about their disease with those around them. Let’s take a look at a few tips to smooth out communication as much as possible.Build confidence Talking about diabetes will come naturally to some, and not so much to others. Children don’t want to be treated differently from others, and many fear rejection and mockery. It’s important to discuss the issue openly at home and make it clear to your child that they don’t have to be ashamed of diabetes. Make...
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Your most important back-to-school supply: Communication
There is nothing quite like the smell of pencils and the sight of new school shoes to bring memories of your school days flooding back. New teachers, a new routine and new friends can be exciting and scary all at once. If your child has diabetes, going back to school can come with an extra dose of complexity. A few tricks and a lot of open communication can make it easier. The early years Sending a child with diabetes to primary or grade school can be an exercise in faith. If your child depends on insulin injections, mealtimes, class parties, outings and excursions, and just the...
Read More A Stockpile Of Snacks
When you need to eat something, there’s only one defense against fast food restaurants: be prepared! Lunch ideas Low-sodium vegetable or minestrone soup Veggie chili Tuna salad with low-fat mayonnaise, diced celery, lemon juice and peppercorns in a whole wheat tortilla Whole wheat pita with turkey, hummus, dried tomatoes, feta cheese and spinach Quinoa salad with red beans, broccoli, coloured...
Read More Talking about diabetes at school
So your child is starting school, attending a new one, or switching classes? If they’re living with diabetes, one thing’s for sure: they will have to talk about their disease with those around them. Let’s take a look at a few tips to smooth out communication as much as possible.Build confidence Talking about diabetes will come naturally to some, and not so much to others. Children don’t want to be treated differently from others, and many fear rejection and mockery. It’s important to discuss the issue openly at home and make it clear to your child that they don’t have to be ashamed of diabetes. Make...
Read More Your most important back-to-school supply: Communication
There is nothing quite like the smell of pencils and the sight of new school shoes to bring memories of your school days flooding back. New teachers, a new routine and new friends can be exciting and scary all at once. If your child has diabetes, going back to school can come with an extra dose of complexity. A few tricks and a lot of open communication can make it easier. The early years Sending a child with diabetes to primary or grade school can be an exercise in faith. If your child depends on insulin injections, mealtimes, class parties, outings and excursions, and just the...
Read More