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...

Newsflash: Not all carbs are created equal! 

When you were first diagnosed with diabetes, you probably heard that carbs are the fastest blood sugar boosters – and that's true. But let's dive into the carb universe and uncover the delightful nuances you might not have been told about.

Imagine carbs as a spectrum of superheroes, each with its unique superpower in affecting your blood sugar. Some carbs are like speedy superheroes, while others are more laid-back, taking their sweet time to make an impact. Let's break it down.

Picture this: Jelly beans, those tiny sugary delights, are like the Flash of the carb world. They dive straight into glucose, boasting a high glycemic index. Translation? Your blood sugar zooms up faster than you can say "superhero landing." While they're a sweet treat, they require a bit of vigilance to keep your blood sugar in check.

Now, let's talk about oats. 

They're more like the steady and reliable Captain America. Yes, they'll cause a rise in your blood ...

Every single day with diabetes presents you with a choice – a choice that can shape your journey in two drastically different ways.

So, let me ask you: which path are you going to choose? Will you opt for the one where fear, confusion, and uncertainty control every aspect of your life? Or will you embrace the one where your A1C levels consistently rest in the fives, where you're feeling your absolute best, indulging in your favorite foods, and living the life you adore?

The incredible part about this decision is that these two images can belong to the same person. Let me share the story of someone who faced the same dilemma. 

The first time we spoke to her, she was teary-eyed, overwhelmed by the prospect of diabetes taking over her entire existence. She believed that her life would never be "normal" again, that she'd never experience the joys of regular eating or stay active, and that her days would be filled with misery. She was diagnosed later in life, after the age of 50, making ...

Have you ever felt like your blood sugar was on a wild roller coaster ride after hitting the gym for some intense weightlifting or sprint sessions?

If you've ever experienced the "moonshot" blood sugar levels that seem to defy gravity, you're not alone. 

We’ve been there too, scratching our heads and wondering why our glucose readings were soaring higher than our personal records. Let's dive into this relatable adventure of battling blood sugar spikes during workouts and discover some strategies to conquer them.

Picture this: you're in the zone, lifting weights or sprinting like the superhero you are, and suddenly, your blood sugar decides to skyrocket to the moon. It's frustrating, confusing, and downright annoying. But fear not, because there's a scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

The main culprit behind those soaring blood sugar levels during intense physical activity is a combination of factors. First off, your body requires energy to fuel your muscles, and it taps int...

Living with diabetes can sometimes feel like a constant quest for perfection.

The meticulous monitoring of blood sugar levels, precise food measurements, and consistent exercise routines are all part of the intricate balancing act that people with diabetes face every day. 

However, the pursuit of perfection in diabetes management can be both mentally and emotionally draining. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of perfectionism in the context of diabetes and discuss the importance of setting realistic goals to maintain a healthier mindset.

The Perfectionist Trap

It's not uncommon for individuals with diabetes to develop a perfectionist mindset. The desire to achieve flawless blood sugar control, where every reading falls within the optimal range, is a noble goal, but it's essential to remember that diabetes is an unpredictable game. Despite your best efforts, there will be instances when your blood sugar levels behave unexpectedly, defying your expectations. This can le...

Picture this: you're going about your day, everything seems pretty normal, and then suddenly, your glucose meter reads a shocking 394. If you've ever experienced this rollercoaster of blood sugar levels, you're not alone. And let me tell you, it's like being on a wild ride without a clear map.

A while back, I had an encounter with my glucose meter that left me baffled. My blood sugar shot up to 394, and it wasn't because I indulged in a sugary treat or went overboard on carbs. Nope, it was after a session of lifting weights. Yes, you read that right – lifting weights. My brain felt as foggy as a misty morning, not just because of the mental haze high blood sugar can bring, but also because I was scratching my head wondering how lifting weights could cause such a spike.

You might be wondering how on earth lifting weights could impact blood sugar. Trust me, I had the same question. But here's a fun fact: I was once a cross country runner in high school. Yes, you read that right, too. I...