Also, as Dr. Richard K. Bernstein (a Type 1 himself) states in his book “Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution”, if you can stabilize your blood sugars while you’re still in the honeymoon phase, you may be able to prolong the honeymoon phase, possibly indefinitely. I was never told this. In fact, my first doctor actually mistakenly diagnosed me as Type 2, despite me being in good physical shape. Needless to say, my honeymoon phase didn’t seem to last too long, nor did I make the necessary adjustments to my diet to possibly prolong it.

As far as what you shouldn’t eat, I recommend reading the book I mentioned above, “Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution”. His diet will seem extreme, but his idea of small numbers (less insulin for fewer carbs leads to less blood sugar swings) makes perfect sense. He recommends no more than 12 carbs per meal. This can be very difficult to pull off, especially for dinner, but I try to use the diet he recommends as a guide to what will work best, even if I’m not in full compliance yet.

The frustrating truth is that most endocrinologists see roughly ten times more Type 2 patients than Type 1s. Thus, their approach to treating Type 1 diabetics is often too similar to how they treat Type 2s. In addition, in my experience, they often lack knowledge when it comes to treatment advancements, like CGMs, etc. They also follow the ADA’s diet recommendations, which is slowly killing Type 1 diabetics, since the ADA doesn’t put strict restrictions on carbohydrates, etc., and has a “whatever works best for you” attitude.

Most complications (other than the dangers from extreme highs and lows) usually develop from years of unstable blood sugars, so don’t let that stress you out too much now, instead let it be a warning to keep yourself in check. Use this time to get your treatment plan and diet in place. It won’t be easy, but I find that I feel less guilt and am happier when I’m doing good with my diet, exercising regularly and facing diabetes head on.

All the Best,
Kevin

If I continued to try and live like I was “NORMAL” with regard to my diet, I would end up with numerous medical complications down the road, likely everything from macular degeneration to never damage and worse. I’m in no way saying to not try and make your daughter “feel normal”. I was referring to myself and coming to terms with my own disease. However, Type 1s and parents of Type 1s who refuse to face the true realities of the disease and what really needs to be done with regard to diet, are in effect ensuring that they or their child has an anything but “normal” future.

The truth is that Type 1 diabetes is difficult. It’s a worry-filled, guilt-ridden balancing act and for a child and a parent of a Type 1 child, it’s exponentially tougher. I consider myself lucky for having been diagnosed in my 20s. I didn’t have to grow up with it and watch the kids around me eating whatever they wanted. However, I’ve heard too many older Type 1 diabetics say the following, “I wish I could go back and tell the younger me to face the hard truths about my disease and take better care of myself.”