Below is a question I recently received from www.foodpicker.org:
I am trying to find a class for our grandson. He is 19 and has a part-time job but no insurance. He just found out last week that he is a type 1 diabetes after losing a lot of weight and his blood sugar was 523. He is on insulin but needs to go to a class to manage is diabetes without going hungry. Where do we start? Any suggestions would help us a lot.
Response: Type 1 Diabetes must be carefully managed with insulin and diet. It is this complementary relationship between diet and insulin that will provide him with sustained energy and manage his blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) has a website that will provide you with information about diabetes, testing, diabetic-friendly recipes, research and support groups. Other resource you may find helpful include the National Diabetes Education Program (http://ndep.nih.gov/) and American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org).
Your healthcare provide will likely be able to recommend a Registered Dietitian or a Certified Diabetes Educator to provide professional counseling and education for Type 1 Diabetes. A session will likely cover the following:
*discuss diabetes, what is occurring in the body and negative consequences of poor management
*what types of food to eat and food combinations
*when to eat
*how to monitor blood glucose (sugar) and how to use insulin
It may be helpful for a family member to attend the class or session with your grandson to learn, ask questions and determine how to best help him adapt to a new lifestyle. Ask your health care provider about local diabetes support groups or camps that may be targeted at the teen/young adult population. Members of these groups can provide camaraderie, practical tips and lead you to additional resources. Encourage your grandson to ask questions, not fear or avoid the topic. Knowledge is power!
