T1Ds Making a Difference
Critical Evaluation of Diabetic Food Products
A Lifetime of Diabetes, Photography Project
Critical Evaluation of Diabetic Food ProductsFor those living with Type 1 diabetes choosing foods that are healthy and taste good is a considerable task. Type 1 diabetics have traditionally had to learn through trial by error, trying different foods for taste and blood sugar response.
An effective referencing source didn't exist where Type 1 diabetics could share their valuable knowledge gathered by personal experience, their preference for foods, or how their blood sugars responded. Sean Hughes, a Type 1 diabetic since age 17, is out to change this.
In 2006, Sean created DiabeticFoodCritic.com, an online resource that provides information and critical evaluation of diabetic food products.
Earlier this month, we were fortunate enough to catch up with the Head Critic himself, who provided the following responses to our interview questions:
Who's Making a Difference?
Sean V. Hughes
Founder and Head Critic
E-Mail sean@diabeticfoodcritic.com Website www.diabeticfoodcritic.com
How old are you?
I am 29 years old.
When were you diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic?
I was diagnosed in July of 1994 at 17 years old.
Please describe your role models? Who has supported you?
My family continues to be my biggest supporter. They have always been there for me. They have gone through diabetes training with me and continue to look for ways to better educate themselves and me on the new developments in diabetes. They have joined me in numerous fundraising activities where the money goes towards research for a cure.
How do you manage your blood sugar levels?
I manage my blood sugars through healthy eating and exercise. I work in Manhattan, but live in New Jersey so I have incorporated walking 15 city blocks into my commute for extra exercise. I also consistently monitor my blood sugars at least 4 times a day and speak with my nutritionist at least once a week. It takes a lot of effort, but it’s worth it.
Do you eat any special foods or take any supplements?
I do not take any special supplements or foods. However, I make a point to closely read the labels on the food I eat. I make sure that my food choices are low in sugar and have a lot of vitamins and other health benefits.
How did the DiabeticFoodCritic idea come about?
When I was originally diagnosed, I did not have a place to use as a reference for what foods were healthy and taste good. So in 2006, I created this website as a forum to critique different foods. I also wanted people to share their ideas on products that might not be available in certain parts of the country. For example, an excellent product might be for sale in Arizona, but not in New Jersey. DiabeticFoodCritic.com is way to find out about those products and spread the word about them. I have found that caregivers to diabetics, such as parents and spouses, use the site just as much as diabetics.
What is it that you hope to achieve with the website?
I hope that the website will fill the present void for diabetics who are looking for foods to expand their diet. I also hope newly diagnosed diabetics benefit from the website as they begin a brand new diet.
Have you received any feedback from Type 1 diabetics who have used the website?
We have received many e-mails asking us questions, asking us to review certain products and how to get a hold of certain products we have reviewed. They also have said that this is a great reference to tool to diversify their diet – a place where they can find new foods that fit into their diet. One of my favorite reader comments was: “Thanks for being the guinea pig for us.” We thought that was great and it’s so true!
How has being Type 1 diabetic shaped your life in general (eating, lifestyle, personal relationships, work etc)? Please include both the good and bad.Diabetes has had a major impact on my life. From eating the right foods and focusing on eating healthy, to making sure you read the labels thoroughly before you purchase them. I have been blessed by the friends and family I have. They are my support system and whenever I need to rely on them, I know they will be there.
Diabetes is a tough disease to manage. It takes time to understand and there are so many what if’s during the day that you have to prepare for. I personally have to give myself 3 shots a day plus the finger pricks, which are not fun at all. I find that the most challenging part is managing daily changes. Your body is different everyday and you have to respond accordingly. Personally, managing diabetes feels more like a job. But since I don’t have a choice in the matter, I try to deal with it the best I can and help others do the same whenever possible.
Any tips for other Type 1 diabetics with regard to eating, nutrition, diabetic management etc?Make sure you visit your doctor for your scheduled check ups and keep track of your blood sugars. Also make sure you read labels on the food that you eat to make sure you are making wise choices. I would also suggest keeping in touch with your nutritionist and encourage them to include vegetables and fruit in your diet.
What else would you like to share?
I would encourage your readers to visit our website www.diabeticfoodcritic.com and give us suggestions on how to improve it and ideas on what foods they would like us to review. The website is structured around the readers and we value feedback so much. The website is not to be used for medical use, but it’s a great tool for all diabetics. We are so grateful for everyone’s support and participation and we will continue to work hard provide great content for our readers. The DFC is dedicated to improving the life of diabetics and we are proud to be working with such wonderful people.
Added: April 15, 2007
A Lifetime of Diabetes, Photography Project
Type 1 Diabetics come in all shapes and sizes, have a diverse range of interests and abilities, and express themselves in various ways. The difference between those living with Type 1 Diabetes and the general population is that they must constantly manage their blood sugars through proper diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle choices. Although there are other affects of the disease, if you make the decision to maintain a strict diabetes management program, you should be able to lead a life that is very close to normal.
If you read the daily paper, you may have come across a recent article that demonstrates the lack of public lack of public awareness with regard to Type 1 Diabetes. Recently an article was run in the San Francisco Chronicle about the former Mr. Universe, and Type 1 Diabetic, Doug Burns. Mr. Burns, while visiting a local movie theatre, experienced low blood sugar and went into insulin shock. When the police arrived, they assumed Mr. Burns to be intoxicated and proceeded to arrest him and take him to jail. The officers claimed that, upon questioning he assumed a "fighting stance."
This unfortunate occurrence serves to demonstrate just how little public awareness there is with regard to Type 1 Diabetes. There are millions of individuals currently living with Type 1 Diabetes and this number is growing by thousands a year. Adding in the lack of training and education with regard to police officers and others charged with serving the “public good” makes this a vexing social problem. Unless something is done, there are bound to be many more occurrences like this one. Here Mr. Burns was lucky. Misunderstandings such as this one could have easily resulted in death.
Many people talk about problems and solutions, but Teresa Ollilia is one person who is taking action. She began the photography project “A Lifetime of Diabetes” in order to expand the public’s awareness of diabetes and help those living with diabetes to feel better understood and connected to others. "Many times misunderstanding, ignorance, and feelings of isolation surround diabetes," she remarked in a recent interview. "I began this photographic project to help broaden the public’s awareness of the disease and to give those stricken in our community a vehicle through which to share the reality of their lives."
Who's Making a Difference?
Teresa Ollila
Photographer
E-Mail tcollila@comcast.net Website www.alifetimeofdiabetes.com
What is your connection with Type 1 diabetes?
May 19th 2007 marks the fourth anniversary of our son’s diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes. At that time, Case (now age 7) was the only person my husband and I knew who had Type 1 Diabetes.
How did you come up with the idea for the "A Lifetime of Diabetes" project?
"A Lifetime of Diabetes" photography project started with a small idea and grew a little everyday. On our first day of diagnoses, at our local clinic, I thought Case's life would be compromised greatly, If he even lived. I looked around the clinic for information about others with Type 1, and their families, and saw nothing. I was scared, disappointed and overwhelmed. After the shock abated and the ability to go on with our lives resurfaced, I had an idea to photograph members in our diabetes support group showing their personal achievements. I made these photographs to donate the prints to the clinic, The Barbara Davis Center, where Case was diagnosed. My hope was to support and educate other families in the same situation we were in two years ago.
What is your hope for the website?
“A Lifetime of Diabetes” is a photography project which serves to expand the public’s awareness of diabetes, and to help those living and suffering with diabetes to feel better understood and connected to others. Many times misunderstanding, ignorance, and feelings of isolation surround diabetes. I began this photographic project to help broaden the public’s awareness of the disease and to give those stricken in our community a vehicle through which to share the reality of their lives.
In addition, I have just complete a slideshow with the voices of individuals with type 1 (adults and children), parents, music, and 60 photographs lasting a total of 8 1/2 minutes. I believe this slideshow will help educate, raise awareness and raise funds for diabetes related causes.
Please describe your role models? Who has supported you?
My role models are other parents and individuals who spend enormous amounts of time and energy fighting, educating and believing in their causes to empower their community and therefore our world.
I have many people supporting me and I list a few here: My husband, while I spend countless hours working on this project for the past two years, all of the families and individuals participating in this project, my photographic mentor Jan Rosenbaum, my brother Robbie who manages my website and my friend Julie who fulfills my graphic design needs, my friends who always listen to my photography ideas, and Case who continually lets me photograph him for a dollar and Jacqueline who sits next to me and colors while I do my work.
What does a typical day in your (or you child's) life involve? Many phone calls from school, my husband who gets up every night to check him, getting poked and pricked countless times, doing the poking and pricking and feeling bad about it, having play dates at our house instead of theirs', always wondering if he is too high or too low and what we can do tomorrow to make it better.
How does he manage his blood sugar levels in school or other? Case is tested and given insulin by the health room aide or secretaries at school. We are at a very supportive school with a wonderful principal and supportive group of people caring for him. We switched to this particular school because they embrace him.
Does he eat any special foods or take any supplements? Case was diagnosed with Celiac disease a year and a half ago which was and still is a difficult combination with diabetes. Case takes fish oil supplements (he actually likes them, thankfully) and a daily vitamin.
How has having a Type 1 diabetic son shaped your life in general (eating, lifestyle, personal relationships, work etc)? Please include both the good and bad.
It has opened doors and closed others. Private schools turned us down and a public school wouldn't care for him. Now we are at a public school which is wonderful. Having a child with a special need, whatever it may be, causes one to advocate in ways they wouldn't think to do for themselves.
Any tips for other Type 1 diabetics with regard to sports and diabetes management?
Do it all. It's gets easier with practice, for the most part.
What resource is in greatest need for Type 1 diabetics (current social/societal problems, health resources etc.)? Any suggestions on what the Type 1 Diabetes Association can do to help?
Educating schools, dispelling diabetes myths, educating the public.
What else would you like to share?
Please visit our website www.alifetimeofdiabetes.com.
Added: May 16, 2007
Additional Resources
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Lactic Acid Is Not Musles' Foe, Its' Fuel
International Community Marks First Ever International Diabetes Day
My Ipod, My Cell, My Insulin Pump
Other Resources
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Copyright © 2007 Type 1 Diabetes Association, Inc.