Living with diabetes can be a complex journey, but with the right guidance and support, managing this condition becomes more manageable. 

For individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the expertise of a dietitian can be invaluable in navigating dietary choices and blood sugar control.

Instead of fixating on insulin dosages, let's shift our focus to a critical aspect: carb intake. Carbohydrates play a universal role in blood sugar management, making them a crucial factor to consider for anyone dealing with diabetes.

For those with Type 1 diabetes, precise insulin dosing is crucial to maintain stable blood sugar levels. A dietitian can assist in calculating insulin-to-carb ratios, ensuring that meals are appropriately balanced to prevent blood sugar spikes or crashes.

Similarly, individuals with Type 2 diabetes benefit from dietary guidance to manage weight, control blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of complications. Dietitians can recommend lifestyle modifications and dietar...

Managing diabetes, whether Type 1 or Type 2, can often feel like an uphill battle. 

However, with the right strategies, it's possible to make significant improvements in your blood sugar levels and overall health.  Take inspiration from one patient who managed to drop his average blood sugar by an impressive 20 points in just ONE WEEK. Here's how you can do it too.

Planning out your meals 

Planning out meals can make a world of difference when it comes to managing diabetes. Instead of randomly selecting items from your pantry or fridge, take just 10 to 15 minutes per week to plan your meals. 

This simple step can help ensure that your meals align with your health goals and eliminate the stress of figuring out what to eat each day.

Consistent exercise

Consistency is key, especially when it comes to strength training. 

While you may have been on and off with your strength training routine in the past, committing to regular sessions can yield significant benefits for your blood sug...

Living with diabetes is a journey filled with both triumphs and challenges, and sometimes, those challenges can be daunting. 

Recently, someone faced one of the most terrifying episodes in their more than two decades of living with Type 1 diabetes, and the experience served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of this condition.

It all unfolded during a trip out of town with their loved ones. In the dead of night, they woke up feeling peculiar—experiencing extreme dehydration, a parched mouth, and a faint scent of ketones lingering in the air. 

Despite heading to bed with normal blood sugar levels, something just didn't feel right, and their instincts told them that trouble was brewing.

Upon checking their Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), their heart sank as they saw the number glaring back at them: 378. 

It was a reading that didn't align with how they felt, and a subsequent blood glucose test confirmed their worst fears—levels were soaring well beyond 500. 

It was t...

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you already know how important it is to manage your condition well. What you eat plays a huge role, and that’s where working with a registered dietitian can change everything. They’re trained to create personalized nutrition plans that fit your lifestyle and blood sugar goals, helping you feel your best day to day.

How a Dietitian Helps with Diabetes

A dietitian specializes in blood sugar-friendly meal planning and helps you understand how different foods affect your glucose levels. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for years, their guidance helps you make smart choices that keep blood sugars steady and energy levels up.

For Type 1 Diabetes

Living with Type 1 diabetes means constant blood sugar monitoring and precise insulin adjustments. A dietitian can help fine-tune your carb counting, insulin timing, and food combinations. This one-on-one support helps you make confident decisions about meals and avoid highs and lows mo...

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean giving up on flavor. You can enjoy satisfying snacks that help keep blood sugars stable and cravings under control. Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, choosing snacks with the right balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats makes all the difference.

Here are four delicious and dietitian-approved snacks that fit perfectly into a diabetes-friendly lifestyle.

1. Purely Elizabeth Granola

Crunchy, sweet, and packed with whole grains and protein, Purely Elizabeth granola is a smart swap for traditional sugary cereals. It’s made with complex carbs and heart-healthy fats, which help give you lasting energy without spiking your blood sugar. Enjoy it with Greek yogurt, on fruit, or straight from the bag.

2. Avocado Hummus

A mix of creamy avocado and flavorful hummus, avocado hummus is rich in fiber and healthy fats that help keep you full longer. Pair it with sliced veggies or whole-grain crackers for a snack that’s both satisfying and blood suga...

Ever notice your blood sugar creeping up and wonder what quick, simple thing you can do-besides reaching for insulin or jumping into a workout? Try this underrated trick: drink water.

Yep, staying hydrated might be one of the easiest and most effective ways to help manage blood sugar levels naturally. This “diabetes water hack” works because when your blood sugar rises, your body pulls water from your cells into your bloodstream to dilute the glucose. If you’re dehydrated, your blood becomes more concentrated, making those sugar levels spike even higher.

By drinking water, you increase your blood volume, helping your kidneys flush out excess glucose through urine. It’s a simple, science-backed way to support your body’s natural blood sugar regulation-no fancy gadgets or supplements needed.

Why It Works

When you stay hydrated:

• Your body processes glucose more efficiently
• You reduce the risk of dehydration-induced spikes
• Your kidneys can remove excess sugar more effectively
  
  
...

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) have completely changed the way people with diabetes track blood sugars. These small devices give you automatic readings every few minutes-no more constant finger pricks, no guessing, just data.

But there’s one important thing many people don’t realize: CGMs have a natural 10–15 minute delay between what your device shows and what’s actually happening in your bloodstream.

Why CGMs Have a Delay

CGMs measure glucose in your interstitial fluid (the fluid around your cells), not directly from your blood. Because glucose takes time to move from the bloodstream into that fluid, your CGM readings will always lag slightly behind your real-time blood sugar levels.

Most of the time, this delay doesn’t cause major issues-but it matters during fast changes, like after eating, exercising, or dosing insulin.

The Problem with Overcorrecting

Let’s say your CGM shows a blood sugar of 264 and trending up. You take insulin to bring it down, but your real-tim...

One of the biggest pet peeves of many living with chronic medical conditions is the inability to keep their life-saving medications cool enough to actually work.

As someone living with Type 1 Diabetes, I am completely dependent on exogenous insulin, 24/7/365, to keep my blood sugar levels in range and to maintain my day-to-day life. So, when I travel or am away from home, my insulin must be at a temperature acceptable for use when I need it.

Why? Insulin is a hormone that is made up of proteins, and when a protein molecule gets too warm, it starts to denature or unravel. When a protein starts to unravel, its utility and ability to function greatly decreases. For insulin, the threshold is met when it is exposed to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. On the flipside, if insulin gets too cold (under 32 degrees Fahrenheit), it will crystallize and not work as well either. 

So, if I were to use insulin that had gotten too warm in the Florida heat, the insulin may not work at 100% of the capacity tha...

Let’s be honest-prepackaged foods often get a bad rap, especially in the diabetes world. Many people think “fresh only” equals “healthy,” but that’s not always true. With the right choices, prepackaged foods can actually make diabetes management easier and more consistent.

Why Prepackaged Doesn’t Mean “Bad”

Prepackaged foods can help you stay on track when life gets busy. They save time, reduce stress, and prevent skipped meals-something that can throw blood sugars out of range. The key is learning how to read labels and choose wisely.

What to Look For

• Protein and Fiber: These help keep blood sugars steady and you feeling full.
• Low Added Sugar and Sodium: Check labels and pick options with minimal extras.
• Whole Ingredients: Look for foods made with simple, real ingredients you recognize.
  
  

Smart Prepackaged Picks

• Protein snack boxes or turkey sticks
• Microwavable grain bowls with veggies
• Unsweetened Greek yogurt cups
• Nuts, seeds, or roasted chickpeas
• Frozen vegetables...

If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at your glucose meter in frustration, you’re not alone. Many people living with diabetes get stuck chasing “perfect” numbers - but here’s the truth: perfection isn’t the goal, progress is.

It’s time to stop beating yourself up for every out-of-range reading and start celebrating the steps you’re taking toward better control.

The Real-Life Wake-Up Call

Not long ago, one of our patients shared that she was feeling discouraged because her blood sugars were averaging around 165. She compared herself to others who seemed to have their numbers “under control.”

But what she didn’t mention at first was that just a few months earlier, her average was closer to 200. That’s a huge improvement - nearly a 35-point drop in her average blood sugar.

When we asked, “Why are you frustrated when you’ve made such amazing progress?” she paused. She realized she hadn’t even noticed how far she’d come.

And honestly, a lot of us fall into the same trap.

Why ...