Caregivers/Support System

Weekly Meal Planning

Do you want to stick to a low-carb, healthy, diabetic-friendly diet? But don’t have the time it takes to plan and prepare? Alana keeps it simple. She says it all starts with the Protein! Proteins are low-carb and keep you satisfied. So pick your protein for the week– lean chicken, pork, beef, tofu. Buy a lot (a weeks […]

Stress’ Effect on Blood Sugar

Nothing is worse than trying to do EVERYTHING right, but still having high blood sugar. Rhodes often struggles with hard-to-control highs on high-stress days. He offers a few tips on how to manage the challenge of stress.

Smart Snacking

Alana shares a few tips for diabetes-smart snack options. She focuses on portion control and making high protein, low-carb choices.

Welcome to Diabetes Support Group

Meet Rhodes and Alana, founders of the Diabetes Support Group. Rhodes was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 5, and has been insulin dependent for over 32 years. He has not let diabetes be an obstacle to living a full life with no limits. With daily discipline and commitment, Rhodes is living a healthy […]

Building a Health Care Team

  Rhodes talks about the doctors and experts he relies on to manage his diabetes. From eye care, to foot care, to nutrition, his health care team has been critical to his diabetes management.

Sugar Free vs. No Sugar Added Foods

There are many new products and foods claiming to be “diabetic friendly.” Do you understand the difference between “sugar-free” and “no-sugar added” foods? Alana sorts through the differences.

Simple Food Swaps

Trying to make better food choices? Alana suggests a few easy food swaps to lower your carb intake. An easy but important swap is to avoid regular sodas and juices, and choose flavored or sparkling waters, teas sweetened with sugar substitutes, or diet sodas.

Asking, “Should You Be Eating That?”

There may be no question a person with diabetes hates more than “Should you be eating that?” It sounds critical, when you are probably just trying to be helpful. Alana gives some hints for asking the question at the right time in the right way.

Should You Visit an Endocrinologist?

Diabetics can be treated by their family doctor, a general practitioner, or by a specialist called an endocrinologist. If you are not satisfied with your diabetes care in any way, Rhodes recommends seeing an endocrinologist. He sees his endo every three months, and finds that the doctor’s specialized knowledge and longer appointments are helpful.

Defining Type I Diabetes

Rhodes is a Type 1 diabetic (“T1D”), also commonly called juvenile diabetes, though not all persons are diagnosed as children. T1Ds are typically insulin dependent, so their pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin to regulate blood sugar. As a result, most T1Ds must take regular insulin injections or receive insulin through an insulin pump.