Counting carbohydrates (carbs) is one of the major parts of type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. It can feel overwhelming at first, but as you develop your confidence (and find a few good cheat sheets to make your favourites easier to carb count), it can become second nature. Before we get started, remember this: carbs are […]
The start of a school year can be a challenging time for children and families with new routines, teachers and friendships to balance. Throw type 1 diabetes (T1D) into the mix and it can get a little hectic! Whether your child is starting kindy or they’re further along their infant or primary school journey, being […]
Preschools and early learning centres are wonderful places that help your child meet developmental milestones, build valuable social skills and prepare for ‘big’ school. But we know that for many parents, sending a child who lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to preschool can be stressful. With the right support of educators and preschool staff, […]
For parents of adolescents, any kind of rebellion causes angst. For teens who live with type 1 diabetes (T1D), these years of beginning to feel the power of freedom can have an entirely different taste than they do for teens without diabetes. Read on to learn more about adolescents rebelling against their diabetes care, including […]
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) technology is advancing as researchers make breakthroughs in treatment and management. Whether you’re new to the world of T1D, or just want to learn more about how the newest tech devices work, we have resources to help you understand it all. Our friends at JDRF UK have created four explainer videos […]
When you start your type 1 diabetes journey you’ll be thrown into a whole new world – one that seemingly has its own vocabulary and devices you’ve never heard of. You can find explanations on many commonly used T1D words and phrases in our T1Dictionary, and videos on popular devices here – and read on […]
There’s no doubt that a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis changes a person’s relationship with food. Many people living with T1D will never look at a plate of food without some sort of mental arithmetic, and of course you’ll often face that annoying question: “Are you sure you’re allowed to eat that?” But we also […]
As a parent it’s easy to feel uninspired in the kitchen from time to time. Trying to think of meal and snack ideas that are quick and easy to prepare, affordable AND healthy can be really tricky. And when your child lives with type 1 diabetes it can sometimes feel extra difficult to tick all […]
Try a T1D-friendly spicy black bean burger recipe, created by clinical nutritionist @naturally_nina_, who also lives with diabetes. These yummy morsels are plant-based, gluten free and are great for burger night, on sandwiches and wraps or even just by themselves. There’s also many ways you can adapt this recipe to fit in with your needs. If […]
When children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) become teens, parents have to balance the fast pace of high school with new social activities and more independence. It’s certainly not easy, but it can be done! Read an extract from JDRF’s Teen Toolkit, a guide for parents of teens living with T1D, for useful strategies for […]
Dr Adriana Ventura is a nationally registered psychologist who worked as a Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) for six years. You can read part one of her advice for raising a teen living with type 1 diabetes here. Read on for 11 tips to help support you child […]
Raising a teenager (or tween) who lives with type 1 diabetes? You probably have questions about how you can preserve – and even strengthen – your relationship with your child while balancing their health concerns and T1D management. After all, the pressure of normal teen development is hard enough, before adding in the self-awareness, restraint […]
Adolescence comes with its own set of new challenges for any parent, but what is it like if your teenager also has type 1 diabetes (T1D)? Dr Adriana Ventura spoke at JDRF’s Type One Summit on the psychological impacts of T1D during the teenage years including diabetes burnout, planning their transition of care, and lots […]
We often get questions from our community members about driving and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Driving gives us independence and can make getting around a whole lot easier, so it’s not surprising that it’s a topic close to your hearts! First things first: yes, you absolutely can get a driver’s licence if you have T1D. […]
Hypoglycaemia, sometimes called a ‘hypo’ or ‘low’, occurs when you have too much insulin and your blood glucose level drops below 4mmol/L. If it’s not treated quickly, a low blood sugar level can be dangerous for people living with type 1 diabetes. Having hypoglycaemia can make it hard to think straight, and some activities – […]
They say the emotional impact of your child being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can mirror the stages of grief some people experience after the loss of a loved one. This might sound strange to those people who haven’t experienced it, but mourning the loss of your child’s life pre-diabetes and adapting to your […]
Most families who have a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) will experience an impact on their finances. This may be through loss of income: at first, you might have to take a block of leave as you support your child to adjust to their return to school, or you may consider reducing your […]
Looking for advice on living your best life with T1D? Download our free guide packed with top tips. Eating out or grabbing a takeaway meal is a normal part of life for most Aussies. As the saying goes, everything in moderation, and this is no different for families living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). If […]