Taking Control of Your Type 1 Diabetes
Affaf was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in August 2015 at age 16.
The first year and a half living with type 1 diabetes was confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. Despite following the guidelines her physician recommended (minimize carbohydrate intake, monitor blood glucose readings throughout the day), Affaf felt like her blood glucose was completely out of her control.
She was on the “the blood glucose roller coaster” and experienced both extreme highs and extreme lows on a daily basis, a phenomenon that is very common for those living with type 1 diabetes.
Affaf was living in fear, at the complete mercy of type 1 diabetes. She was afraid to leave her house if her blood glucose was below 200 mg/dL, and would try to go to bed at a level of 300 mg/dL just to feel safe (but even then would sometimes wake up in a cold sweat with a low of 30 mg/dL or 40 mg/dL).
She attempted to follow a low-carbohydrate diet, but felt so restricted and low-energy that every few days she would end up binging on processed foods. It became a dangerous, unhealthy cycle.
In February 2017, she found Mastering Diabetes co-founder Robby on Instagram and started doing private coaching with him.
Overnight, she went from eating a meat-heavy, low-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat, plant-based, whole-food diet.
Affaf increased her carbohydrate intake 10-fold within a matter of weeks, and was surprised (and thrilled) that her blood glucose control was better than ever.
What exactly do her meals look like? Affaf prefers to eat very simply, calling herself a “lazy cook.” However, cooking simply may be one of the keys to her success.
Simple meals of simple whole food ingredients are some of the healthiest options, AND it makes her new lifestyle 100% sustainable.
Many of her meals consist simply of fruits. She also enjoys potatoes, beans, and whole grains, along with some vegetables.
Today, she feels better than ever. Her blood glucose is predictable and easy to handle. She exercises frequently, and is finally able to go to the gym and run with the confidence to keep her blood glucose in range.
She has more energy than ever – even more than the days when she drank 4 cups of coffee per day.
By eating this way, Affaf has been able to reduce her A1c by 6.0% and increase her 24-hour insulin sensitivity from a 2:1 carbohydrate:insulin ratio to a 12:1 ratio.
Look at the table below to get a full breakdown of how her basal and bolus insulin needs have changed, along with her hemoglobin A1c:
Biomarker | February 2017 | October 2017 |
|---|---|---|
Basal Insulin (U/day) | 22 | 10 |
Breakfast Bolus (U/day) | 10 | 3-4 |
Lunch Bolus (U/day) | 10 | 3-4 |
Dinner Bolus (U/day) | 10 | 3-4 |
Hemoglobin | 14.0 | 8.0 |
24-Hour Carbohydrate:Insulin Ratio (g/U) | 2:1 | 12:1 |
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