Don't you just love it when others have opinions on what people with Type 1 diabetes can eat?
It's usually the people with the least understanding of the condition who are the loudest. The comedian Ed Gamble, himself a T1D, is famously quoted as saying, "No one stands in the way of me and a brownie", and I can imagine he has had to educate a lot of people on his way to stardom. Just educating your own small circle of friends, family and acquaintances can be tiring enough.
The "Too Much Sugar" Myth (and Why It's Wrong)
The constant assumption that sugar is the cause of Type 1 diabetes is exhausting. So much so that there are times I want to shout at the top of my lungs: "It wasn't caused by too much sugar!"
I can reassure you I don't do that. But it's tempting, when you're struggling with the lack of awareness. I remind myself that I had no idea there were different types of diabetes either, before T1D entered our lives. If there was a vote to change the name, would you? I'd like to see it renamed Autoimmune Type 1, so that others wouldn't lump it together with the inevitable "too much sugar" assumptions. (For more on the Type 1 vs Type 2 confusion, our post on Diabetes Awareness Month goes deeper.)
Feeling Judged for Your Child's Food Choices
It can be hard, as a parent, to feel judged for the food choices we make for our kids. We do everything to keep them healthy and provide nutritious food, but we cannot forget their mental wellbeing either. Denying our kids the same treats as their siblings and peers is damaging in its own way, and I worry about how that would affect them as they grow into adults.
Moderation is the only way I know how to juggle everything. My child must have a healthy diet, as we all should, but he must also be allowed to be a kid. I buy healthier snacks for the house, but when my child goes to a school disco and everyone is reaching for brain lickers (yes, as gross and unhealthy as it sounds, the sweets, not the children), what do I do? I give the insulin. I hate these moments, when my brain and my heart are not agreeing. But I love my child, I see the need for inclusion, and I genuinely believe the damage to mental health is greater if I say no.
The Pizza Problem: Every T1D Parent Knows It
Eating fast food is hard for our T1D balance sheet. I want my child to be a normal kid, and the occasional burger and fries is part of that. Going out for pizza causes me less of a moral dilemma, because we always opt for a thin base (it's healthier), but it is a small miracle if we manage to bolus correctly for the pizza.
When you master pizza as a T1D parent, you've reached the top of your game. 😅 We have a pump and we can still be defeated. Not enough up-front insulin and blood sugar goes way too high. Too much and we end up chasing a hypo. And as anyone who knows pizza will tell you, this can go on for hours after the meal is finished. We still order it though, because pizza is my child's favourite treat. T1D doesn't get to take that away.
Our Foodies Collection: Yes, We Can Eat That
I designed the Foodies collection based on all the things my kids love to eat. Pizza, burgers, French fries and ice cream are certainly their favourites. I hope you love them too, and have a bit of fun showing the world that people with Type 1 diabetes can eat whatever they want.
If this resonates with you, you might also like our companion reads on what it's really like to parent a child with T1D and how to support someone with Type 1 diabetes. From one T1D family to another, keep eating the brownie.
