Springtime is the perfect "lower your A1C" time
If your healthcare provider has talked to you about reducing your A1C test result, or you want to make some improvements to your diabetes care, this is the ideal time to get started. After all, warmer weather makes it easier to get outside and get active, fresh foods are easier to come by, and the sunshine may help you feel like you can conquer anything. 7% vs. 7.0 mmol/L First, let's be clear on what your A1C result means. It can be a little confusing, as the A1C is a percentage, rather than a direct measurement of the glucose in your blood. Your regular blood sugar checks tell you the amount of...
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Discussing Diabetes With Your Child
You just got your diagnosis? Or is your child growing up and starting to ask questions? In either case, you’ll eventually have to broach the topic with them. Here are a few tips to guide the discussion: Test the waters. Once the news is out, ask your child what they know about diabetes. Listen carefully, then set the record straight, correcting misconceptions if necessary (e.g., people living with diabetes are contagious or can’t eat sugar). Be concise. Briefly explain what diabetes is, how your...
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Bad Day And Diabetes Mental Health
Everyone living with diabetes has good and bad days. Some days you have in-range blood sugar levels and others just don’t work out right. Diabetes burnout and diabetes distress are very real feelings. You might be feeling like you have been trying very hard but not seeing the results you like. Or you might feel a little overwhelmed and not sure how to cope with diabetes care and mental health1. When a bad diabetes day seems to be taking over, here’s how to turn it around. Diabetes mental health and attitude ...
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The Benefits of Staying Active
Physical activity is good for everyone, but for people living with diabetes, it can make a big difference in keeping your blood sugar level managed. Not only that, but staying active allows your cells to process insulin more efficiently, improving your overall A1c levels. The many benefits to staying active Physical activity is one of the cornerstones of managing your diabetes, because the list of benefits for people living with diabetes is long. Physical activity can1: Improve...
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What are carbohydrate exchanges in diabetes?
The truth about carbohydrates and diabetes MYTH: If you live with diabetes, you can't eat sweets or sugar. TRUTH: A food do not have to be sweet or sugary to raise your blood sugar. Understanding carbohydrates and carbohydrate counting exchanges is important in diabetes. We want to separate the myth from the truth. Carbohydrate counting exchanges can sound intimidating. But, they are essential for good meal planning. In this article, we’ll look at the...
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Coming to terms with a diabetes diagnosis
You’ve just received the news: you or your child are living with diabetes. After the initial shock, you’ll probably experience a whole range of emotions and have a ton of questions. It’s a normal process that’s unique to everyone, and it may include the following stages: Denial. You don’t believe the diagnosis. Anger. You feel a sense of injustice, or anxiety that turns into revolt. Bargaining. You partially accept the situation, but question...
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4 Tips to Improve Diabetes Lifestyle
There are probably many things that each of us would like to change about our life, but thinking about them all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, choose just one thing to improve now. Changing any of the things below could have an impact on your life with diabetes, both on your physical health and your emotional well-being. Make testing matter For people living with diabetes, testing more often is the key to manage your health. Frequent testing provides the data you need to make informed decisions about your medication, diet...
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Creating a Circle of Support
No one can go it alone. Whether you are living with diabetes or you’re a caregiver, it’s important to have a few options for emotional support. Knowing who to turn to with specific questions will make life easier. Find other people living with diabetes Few things are more comforting than talking with someone who understands you when you are living with diabetes, or if you are facing a type 1 or type 2 diagnosis. If you don’t already have a friend or a family member living with diabetes who can fill this role, seek out a diabetes...
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Dating With Diabetes
So you’ve met someone, and they might be “the one!” Butterflies in the stomach are normal on first dates. They’re enough to deal with that you don’t need the anxiety of wondering when and how to approach the topic of your life with diabetes with your new flame. Now or later? That’s up to you. Dealing with the situation immediately will take a weight off your shoulders, even if it can seem like a heavy thing to talk about at the beginning of a relationship. If you wait a few weeks, your significant other may feel like you weren’t...
Read MorePages
Discussing Diabetes With Your Child
You just got your diagnosis? Or is your child growing up and starting to ask questions? In either case, you’ll eventually have to broach the topic with them. Here are a few tips to guide the discussion: Test the waters. Once the news is out, ask your child what they know about diabetes. Listen carefully, then set the record straight, correcting misconceptions if necessary (e.g., people living with diabetes are contagious or can’t eat sugar). Be concise. Briefly explain what diabetes is, how your...
Read More Bad Day And Diabetes Mental Health
Everyone living with diabetes has good and bad days. Some days you have in-range blood sugar levels and others just don’t work out right. Diabetes burnout and diabetes distress are very real feelings. You might be feeling like you have been trying very hard but not seeing the results you like. Or you might feel a little overwhelmed and not sure how to cope with diabetes care and mental health1. When a bad diabetes day seems to be taking over, here’s how to turn it around. Diabetes mental health and attitude ...
Read More The Benefits of Staying Active
Physical activity is good for everyone, but for people living with diabetes, it can make a big difference in keeping your blood sugar level managed. Not only that, but staying active allows your cells to process insulin more efficiently, improving your overall A1c levels. The many benefits to staying active Physical activity is one of the cornerstones of managing your diabetes, because the list of benefits for people living with diabetes is long. Physical activity can1: Improve...
Read More What are carbohydrate exchanges in diabetes?
The truth about carbohydrates and diabetes MYTH: If you live with diabetes, you can't eat sweets or sugar. TRUTH: A food do not have to be sweet or sugary to raise your blood sugar. Understanding carbohydrates and carbohydrate counting exchanges is important in diabetes. We want to separate the myth from the truth. Carbohydrate counting exchanges can sound intimidating. But, they are essential for good meal planning. In this article, we’ll look at the...
Read More Coming to terms with a diabetes diagnosis
You’ve just received the news: you or your child are living with diabetes. After the initial shock, you’ll probably experience a whole range of emotions and have a ton of questions. It’s a normal process that’s unique to everyone, and it may include the following stages: Denial. You don’t believe the diagnosis. Anger. You feel a sense of injustice, or anxiety that turns into revolt. Bargaining. You partially accept the situation, but question...
Read More 4 Tips to Improve Diabetes Lifestyle
There are probably many things that each of us would like to change about our life, but thinking about them all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, choose just one thing to improve now. Changing any of the things below could have an impact on your life with diabetes, both on your physical health and your emotional well-being. Make testing matter For people living with diabetes, testing more often is the key to manage your health. Frequent testing provides the data you need to make informed decisions about your medication, diet...
Read More Creating a Circle of Support
No one can go it alone. Whether you are living with diabetes or you’re a caregiver, it’s important to have a few options for emotional support. Knowing who to turn to with specific questions will make life easier. Find other people living with diabetes Few things are more comforting than talking with someone who understands you when you are living with diabetes, or if you are facing a type 1 or type 2 diagnosis. If you don’t already have a friend or a family member living with diabetes who can fill this role, seek out a diabetes...
Read More Dating With Diabetes
So you’ve met someone, and they might be “the one!” Butterflies in the stomach are normal on first dates. They’re enough to deal with that you don’t need the anxiety of wondering when and how to approach the topic of your life with diabetes with your new flame. Now or later? That’s up to you. Dealing with the situation immediately will take a weight off your shoulders, even if it can seem like a heavy thing to talk about at the beginning of a relationship. If you wait a few weeks, your significant other may feel like you weren’t...
Read More