Can you eat that?
In reality, people with type 1 diabetes can eat anything with the right amounts of insulin. But just like those without diabetes, trying to eat a balanced diet full of whole foods is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
Food and diet basics
Here are a few basics about food, nutrition, diet, and type 1 diabetes (T1D):
Sugar is just one form of carbohydrate. In your digestive system, all carbohydrates break down into glucose, which is the sugar in your bloodstream that is used by your body as energy. While foods high in sugar, like candy, can raise your blood-glucose levels more quickly than a bowl of oatmeal, all types of carbohydrates require insulin. Even whole wheat pasta or freshly squeezed orange juice can significantly raise your blood-glucose levels if you don’t get enough insulin.
While some people with diabetes choose to significantly limit their carbohydrate intake (e.g., keto diets), these trendy diets can be hard to sustain long-term. They are also not safe for young children who require a minimum number of healthy carbohydrates for growth. Instead, we encourage you to work with a registered dietitian to establish a balanced diet that feels right for you. Learning how to count carbohydrates is important in life with T1D because carbohydrates impact your blood-glucose levels the most. Learning how to adjust your insulin doses based on the carbohydrates, fat, and protein in any meal takes time! Work with your healthcare team to understand your body’s insulin needs.
Low-carb or ketogenic diets do not eliminate your need for daily insulin therapy. Dietary fat and protein require insulin, too, but these two macronutrients break down more slowly compared to carbohydrates. When you eat large amounts of protein in one sitting, a certain percentage is usually converted into glucose because your body can only make use of so much protein at one time. Dietary fat can slow down digestion which slows the impact of carbohydrates in that meal. Dietary fat can also blunt your sensitivity to insulin, increasing your insulin needs for meals high in fat. Low-carb or ketogenic diets are not recommended for young children who require carbohydrates for healthy growth. Talk to your diabetes care team before starting a very low-carb diet.
A diet that is high in fiber (25 to 30 grams per day) may help regulate blood-sugar levels and achieve HbA1c targets.
Regardless of what you choose to eat, managing T1D around food means learning how to calculate and estimate insulin doses using your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio (ICR) established in partnership with your healthcare team. Your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio may be different based on the time of day. For example, many people require more insulin at breakfast. Your healthcare team should help you establish and evaluate your mealtime insulin doses, making small adjustments as needed.
Find your balance
Your friends, family, strangers, the internet, and magazines will all have opinions on what you should eat after being diagnosed with T1D.
Getting plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats, full of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals is important, but there’s room in a healthy diet for other foods, too. Finding a balance that works well for you, both physically and emotionally, can take time.
The longer you live with T1D, the more of a nutrition expert you might become! Learning how to dose insulin for different meals and beverages requires a great deal of self-study and observation. You’ll learn things about digestion and nutrition that people without diabetes never will, like the difference in how long it takes to digest an apple compared to a slice of pizza!
Let T1D inspire you to learn about nutrition while creating a realistic approach that feels right for you.
More food and nutrition guidance
How to consume alcohol carefully and safely
Paying attention to your relationship with food
