Traveling internationally with diabetes can be an exciting yet challenging experience.

For those managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D), keeping blood sugar levels stable across different time zones requires careful planning and adjustment. One crucial piece of advice from a diabetes dietitian is to prepare your insulin pump for time zone changes before you even leave the plane. This simple adjustment can have a significant impact on maintaining stable blood sugar levels throughout your journey.

Why Adjusting Your Insulin Pump is Crucial

When crossing time zones, jet lag and changes in your daily routine can disrupt your body’s natural rhythm, affecting blood sugar levels. Adjusting the clock on your insulin pump to match the local time of your destination as soon as you arrive can help your body stay in sync with your insulin needs. For example, if you land in a new time zone and it’s 9:00 a.m. local time but feels like 3:00 a.m. to your body, setting your ins...

Many people managing diabetes have encountered a puzzling situation:

The estimated A1c from their Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) doesn’t always match the actual A1c results from a lab test.

Recently, a follower raised a question about this issue, which could resonate with others facing similar discrepancies.

The Role of a Diabetes Dietitian in Explaining A1c Discrepancies

A Type 1 diabetes dietitian or Type 2 diabetes dietitian often addresses these concerns. Here’s why there might be a difference between the CGM's estimated A1c and the actual lab results:

1. Measurement Variability: CGMs measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid rather than directly from the blood. This means that there’s a potential lag and variability in the readings compared to actual blood glucose levels. The GMI, which stands for Glucose Management Indicator, is used as a reference point and can differ from the A1c obtained through lab tests. This is a common issue that a T1D dietitian or T2D dietiti...

Traveling internationally with diabetes might seem challenging, but with the right strategies, you can enjoy delicious local foods while maintaining blood sugar control.

With a bit of preparation and smart planning, guided by a diabetes dietitian, your global adventure can be a sweet success!

1. Stay Active

Keeping the body in motion is crucial. During an Italian adventure, averaging around 18,000 steps a day helps maintain insulin sensitivity, making it easier to enjoy those delectable carbs without undue worry about blood sugar spikes. Complementing walking with strength training routines further supports blood sugar balance. Whether dealing with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, maintaining physical activity is essential. It helps balance blood sugar levels and allows for more relaxed enjoyment of meals. Your registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator can offer personalized advice that can help align activity levels with dietary needs.

2. Perfect Carb Counting

Met...

Managing Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes often involves carefully selecting snacks that are both satisfying and supportive of blood sugar levels.

A certified diabetes educator and dietitian offers these top snack recommendations from Target that align perfectly with a diabetes-friendly eating plan. These nutritious snacks make managing diabetes a bit easier and more enjoyable. Here’s a closer look at these tasty options:

1. Tru Fru Bananas

First on the list are Tru Fru Bananas. These bananas are an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes, whether they are working with a Type 1 diabetes dietitian or a Type 2 diabetes dietitian. With only 9 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fiber per serving, Tru Fru Bananas provide a balanced option that is less likely to cause a blood sugar spike. They offer a sweet treat while staying in line with diabetes management plans. Incorporating bananas into the diet can help maintain stable glucose levels and add variety to snack choices.

2. Choba...

When it comes to managing diabetes, the focus is often on diet and exercise.

But there are other factors that can significantly influence your blood sugar levels, which you might not immediately think of. Today, we’re exploring three overlooked factors that could impact your glucose control, and how working with a certified diabetes dietitian can help manage these issues effectively.

1. Seasonal Allergies

You might not realize it, but seasonal allergies can actually affect your blood sugar levels. Here’s how: Allergies trigger inflammation in your body, which can lead to increased cortisol levels. Cortisol, in turn, can raise your blood sugar and reduce insulin sensitivity. For those managing diabetes, this can be a tricky situation. A diabetes educator or a Type 1 diabetes dietitian can work with you to address these seasonal allergy issues. By developing a tailored plan, they can help you mitigate the impact of allergies on your blood sugar levels, ensuring that you maintain bet...

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and you know what that means – it's time for some good old-fashioned social gatherings and epic feasts. 

But before you dive headfirst into that plate of deliciousness, let's talk about what NOT to do if you want to keep those blood sugars in check and enjoy your Labor Day to the fullest!

We recently had a patient who made a classic blunder during a Fourth of July BBQ, you'll want to learn from their unforgettable experience. It all started out just fine and dandy. They filled up their plate, surveyed the foodie wonderland before them, and even took the appropriate insulin dose. So far, so good, right? Well, that's where the smooth sailing ended.

Once the food coma-inducing deliciousness got the best of them, they committed the ultimate party foul – they started refilling their plate without keeping track of their insulin dose. The result? 

A skyrocketing blood sugar reading that could rival NASA's moon mission! Yep, you read that right. Their blood su...

Navigating fast food options can be challenging when managing diabetes, whether you're consulting with a Type 1 diabetes dietitian or a Type 2 diabetes dietitian.

It’s not always optimal, but sometimes, life will give you no other option, so you've got to make the best of the situation.Thankfully, Whataburger offers a variety of choices that can fit into your diabetes meal plan while still allowing you to enjoy a tasty meal. Here’s a comprehensive guide to making diabetes-friendly choices at Whataburger, with practical tips from a certified diabetes educator to help you keep your blood sugar levels in check.

1. Grilled Chicken Sandwich

When you're at Whataburger, a great option to consider is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. This choice provides 32 grams of protein, 44 grams of carbs, and only 14 grams of fat. For those managing Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, the high protein content helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full longer. The moderate fat c...

Traveling with diabetes, whether Type 1 or Type 2, requires careful planning and foresight to ensure smooth diabetes management.

One crucial piece of advice from a diabetes educator is to always pack more supplies than you think you’ll need. While this may initially seem excessive, it is a strategy that can prevent a lot of stress and health issues during your travels.

Why is Packing Extra Supplies Important?

Travel often comes with unexpected events, and managing diabetes in these situations can be challenging. For instance, imagine being on vacation and discovering that an insulin infusion site needs to be changed urgently. If only the exact amount of supplies was packed, it could result in serious complications if there are no backups available. This scenario underscores the importance of having extra supplies on hand. A Type 1 diabetes dietitian typically recommends packing two to three times the amount of supplies you initially estimate. This includes insulin, infusion sets, gl...

When managing diabetes, it's easy to focus on the basics: diet and exercise.

These are crucial for controlling blood sugar levels, but other factors also play a significant role. Here are three lesser-known influences that might be sneaky troublemakers for blood sugar stability.

1. Sleep

Sleep is fundamental for overall health, but its impact on diabetes management is often underestimated. Research shows that even one night of poor sleep can increase insulin resistance by up to 40%, reaching levels comparable to those seen in Type 2 diabetes. For individuals managing Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, inadequate rest can lead to unstable blood sugar levels.

Why does this happen? During sleep, the body undergoes essential repair processes and regulates hormones, including those that affect insulin sensitivity. Disrupted sleep impairs this balance, making it harder to maintain stable blood sugar levels. If blood sugars fluctuate despite sticking to a diet and exercise plan, it mig...

Navigating dining out with diabetes, whether it’s type 1 or type 2, can be a challenge.

However, with a bit of guidance, making smart choices can be both easy and enjoyable. For those heading to Panera Bread, here are some top recommendations from a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.

1. Greek Salad

A top pick for managing blood sugar levels is the Greek Salad. This option features grilled chicken and contains less than 10 grams of carbs, making it a great choice for those seeking a low-carb meal. The minimal carb impact is ideal for controlling blood sugar. Additionally, the salad is packed with a variety of veggies, offering important nutrients and fiber beneficial for overall health and diabetes management.

2. Fuji Apple Chicken Salad

The Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is another excellent choice. It provides over 33 grams of protein and combines fresh vegetables with the sweetness of apples. This combination not only makes for a flavorful meal but also helps in...