Background

Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an auto immune deficiency or damage to the pancreas, which produces insulin. With this the body can not produce enough insulin, which allows glucose into the cells. Glucose which is a sugar, used as energy, is needed for a cell's function. Without glucose, the cells cannot function properly.

Dietary Guidelines

• 45-60 grams of carbohydrates per meal (no more than 180 grams a day).
• 1/4 protein, 1/4 starch, 1/2 non-starchy vegetables.
• Daily ratio of % of grams 50:20:25 (carbs:fats:proteins).
• Nutrient dense carbs are recommended (wheat instead of white, whole fruit not fruit juice, and fiber because it does not raise blood sugar).

Dense Carbohydrates take longer to break down which dosen't cause your blood sugar to spike. Simple carbohydrates are broken down very easily causing blood sugar spikes. A dense carb would be a piece of wheat bread where a simple carb would be white bread.

BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING

Diabetics have to monitor their blood sugar daily, specifically after meals. To do this they prick their finger with a lancet and put the blood onto a glucometer with a testing strip. The strip tests the blood and displays the results. The target blood glucose level should be 80-130 mg/dL before a meal and less than 180mg/dL 1-2 hours after a meal according to the American Diabetes Association.

A1C

The A1C provides an average of a diabetics average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. This test is performed by the patients doctor, and looks at hemoglobins (a blood pigment) of a diabetic patient. The target goal for the A1C for type 1 diabetics is 7% or 154 mg/dL.

LIFESTYLE AND EXERCISE

Exercise is essential for diabetics. It can lower your blood sugar, help you lose weight, and lower cholesterol. However diabetics must be careful when exercising, if it lowers their blood sugar too much it can be potentially fatal. Because of this diabetics must take their blood sugar level before and after exercise.

SUCCESS STORY

Bret Michaels, the lead singer of the band "Poison" has been a type 1 diabetic since the age of six when he was first diagnosed. In the above interview he talks about the struggles of his condition but also how it has motivated him through life, even stating it may have been a cause for him winning the hit show The Celebrity Apprentice . He has since received multiple musical achievements and become a reality TV star. He personally checks his blood sugar 8 to 10 times a day and regularly gives himself 4 insulin shots. His extreme detail to his diet allows him to live a healthy and successful life. His advice to other type 1 diabetics is to not let it slow you down but to live your life healthily and to the fullest.

Citations

• http://www.dlife.com/
• http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/?ic=2300
• http://www.diabetes.org/
• http://www.mevsdiabetes.com/bret-michaels-diabetes-interview/