The Life of a Type 1 Diabetic
Elizabeth Bunger
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Diet Recommendations
While having diabetes does cause you to keep a constant food diary of your daily meals, it should not restrict you from eating a wide variety of foods. Along with every meal, a diabetic should be consuming an equal amount of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates (with a heavy emphasis on fiber and protein). Since type 1 diabetics have an insulin insufficiency, it would also be beneficial to limit foods with a high sugar or starch content, as it could overwhelm the body.
What Should My Daily Diet Look Like as a Type 1 Diabetic?
Breakfast:
- 2 egg whites, scrambled with no butter
- 2 slices of thick cut turkey bacon
- 1 slice of whole wheat toast
- 1 cup of coffee
Lunch:
- 1 12oz soda can
- 1 turkey sandwich (2 slices of whole wheat bread, 3 slices of turkey lunch meat, lettuce, tomato, 1 slice of cheddar cheese)
- 15 fat-free tortilla chips
Snack:
- 1 small cup of assorted fruit
Dinner:
- 6 ounces of salmon filet
- 1 cup of brown rice
- 1 cup of steamed broccoli
- 1/2 cup of orange juice
Dessert:
- 1/2 cup of sugar free frozen yogurt
Treatment Options
Since type 1 diabetics have an insulin deficiency (as mentioned more elaborately above), it is quite common for patients to take artificial insulin injections to help compensate for the body's dysfunctional response in synthesizing it's own insulin.
Insulin injections can be specific to a particular person based upon the intensity of the disease and the speed of their metabolism.
For more information regarding what insulin is optimal for you and what equipment can be used, please visit this website:
Blood Sugar Monitoring and Adjustments
How to Check It?
1. After washing your hands, insert a test strip into your Glucose Meter.
2. Use your lancing device on the side of your fingertip to get a drop of blood.
3. Touch and hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood, and wait for the result.
4. Your blood glucose level will appear on the meter's display.
What is Considered a Normal Blood Sugar and What Adjustments can be Made to Reach this Level?
Recommended Exercise
- Spread your activity out over at least 3 days during the week and try not to go more than 2 days in a row without exercising.
Examples:
- Brisk walking (outside or inside on a treadmill)
- Bicycling/Stationary cycling indoors
- Dancing
- Low-impact aerobics
- Swimming or water aerobics
- Playing tennis
- Stair climbing
- Jogging/Running
- Hiking
- Rowing
- Ice-skating or roller-skating
- Cross-country skiing
- Moderate-to-heavy gardening
How does Staying Fit Keep my Diabete in Control?
In addition to this, people with diabetes are also quite susceptible to acquiring arteriosclerosis, or blocked arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. Exercise, however, helps to keep the hearth healthy and vigor, and it can also lower cholesterol, which can also lead to arteriosclerosis.
As a diabetic, symptoms of fatigue and exhaustion are rather common. However, by staying fit and exercising frequently, you can not only develop a better maintenance of your weight, but you will also have more energy throughout the day.
Lifestyle Choices and Support Groups
What Healthcare Professionals Should I Contact When in Need of Assistance?
Certified Diabetes Educator: A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a health professional who possesses comprehensive knowledge of and experience in pre-diabetes, diabetes prevention, and management. The CDE's help to educate and support people affected by this disease in order for them to develop an understanding and management of the different conditions affiliated with diabetes.
Psychologist: Throughout the process of being diagnosed with diabetes, a person can often become very overwhelmed and anxious about the new adjustments that will have to be made in that person's lifestyle. Therefore, it is quite common for diabetics to seek professional psychological assistance. By visiting with a psychologist frequently, not only will your daily diet and exercise requirements be maintained, but your emotional stability will also remain balanced.
Nutritionist
Nutrition Institutes in Dallas, Tx:
Psymed: Tapp Errin
No reviews · Doctor
2929 Carlisle St # 200 · (214) 348-5557
CDE
1935 Medical District Dr.
Dallas, Texas 75235
Psychologist
LifeWorks Group
1 review · Psychologist
2515 Cedar Springs Rd · (214) 357-4001
Additional Websites:
Living With Type 1 Diabetes: American Diabetes Association®. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/recently-diagnosed/living-with-type-1-diabetes.html
Type 1 diabetes - Living with - NHS Choices. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes-type1/Pages/living-with.aspx
Everyday Life with Diabetes - Managing Daily Life with Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/newly-diagnosed/everyday-life-diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes: American Diabetes Association®. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/