Diabetes 101

woman living with type 1 diabetes

It's time to take control of your diabetes and live the life you want to live! Explore the content on our site for guidance and encouragement at any stage of your diabetes journey.

mary ellen cooking with book

Diabetes Dietitian

Hi there! I’m Mary Ellen, a diabetes dietitian who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since I was 5 years old. I know first-hand what it’s like to constantly navigate the hurdles of living with and managing a serious condition. The good news is, whether you’ve been diagnosed with Type 1, Type 2, or another type of diabetes, the tools on my site can help you live a happy and healthy life without limits.

 

Staying Healthy
With Diabetes

Staying healthy with diabetes is important to help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Stable blood sugar levels are needed to avoid long term diabetes complications. Some long term complications include: kidney disease, heart disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy. All of these complications are a result of damage to blood vessels from having high blood sugar levels.

But, staying healthy does not mean a life of deprivation and stress in the kitchen. Often, when people are newly diagnosed with diabetes they may feel overwhelmed or depressed by the food choices they are given… but that does not have to be the case! Every person with diabetes can live a healthy life that includes food you love and activities you enjoy!

Diabetes Education

Whether you were recently diagnosed, or have had diabetes for as long as you can remember, our articles and recipes are written for you. Diabetes education shouldn’t be boring – and my hope is that after reading one of my articles or trying one of my recipes, you feel inspired and more confident in your unique diabetes journey.

Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes

Healthy
Living with
Diabetes

Managing
Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes Tools & Resources

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus refers to several metabolic conditions that impact insulin production, how insulin acts in the body, or both. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps glucose enter your body’s cells. The glucose can then be used as energy.

When glucose levels in the blood are too high, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood. Insulin then attaches to cells and helps glucose enter the cell and be used as energy.

In diabetes mellitus, insulin is either not produced or it is produced but is not effective at helping glucose enter body cells. Thus, glucose builds up in the bloodstream if not addressed.

What is diabetes insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus is not actually related to diabetes mellitus in any way. It is a completely different disorder of salt and water metabolism. Diabetes insipidus happens when the body can’t regulate fluids. The condition is caused by a hormonal abnormality and causes intense thirst and frequent urination.

Signs & Symptoms
of Diabetes

The signs and symptoms of diabetes are often mistaken or overlooked so it’s important to be aware of them.

Healthy Living with Diabetes

Living with diabetes has challenges but it is possible to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life while managing your diabetes.

Managing Blood Sugar Levels

Managing blood sugar levels is the most important part of long term diabetes management and is the thing people with diabetes do every day.

Diabetes Tools &
Resources

There are so many helpful diabetes tools that exist to make living with diabetes easier! Explore these glucose monitors, insulin facts, and more.

My Diabetes Cookbooks

If you’re looking for more cooking inspiration with diabetes friendly recipes, grab your copy of my diabetes cookbook. Click one of the retailers below to purchase your own copy.

If you’re looking for desserts for people with all types of diabetes, grab your copy of my diabetes desserts cookbook. Click one of the retailers below to order your own copy.

Diabetes Burnout

Sometimes diabetes just sucks (we’re all thinking it!) and it just gets to be too much. It’s ok to feel like this sometimes, it’s normal. So I want to encourage us all to talk to each other about diabetes burnout more. These are my 5 tips for recognizing it and getting through it. You can find other videos like this on my IGTV!

Diabetes Content to Start With

People with diabetes often feel like they’re relegated to a diet full of bland chicken and veggies the rest of their life, and that food is this stressful thing they’d like to avoid. Or, they think they’re limited on the activities and opportunities they’ll get to experience. But, this could not be further from the truth! People with diabetes can eat yummy food, do all the things they want to do, have fun in the kitchen, live life to the fullest, and more! It’s just a matter of knowing the right strategies and principles that are realistic for you and your life.

Other Diabetes Websites

The diabetes information doesn’t stop here! If you’re looking for continued support on your diabetes journey from other health professionals, here are other diabetes websites with information you can trust:

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