If you’ve ever had a low sneak up on you, you know how scary that can be. What if your dog could help warn you before it hits? The truth is, they probably can.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. In fact, they can detect changes in your body chemistry long before you’re even aware something’s wrong. That includes the subtle shifts that happen when your blood sugar drops. This is why medical scent detection dogs are trained to alert their owners to highs or lows. But you don’t need to hire a service dog trainer or spend thousands of dollars. You can start this training at home with something as simple as a cotton ball and your own saliva.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Collect a Scent Sample During a Hypo

The next time you’re having a low, place a clean cotton ball in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds. What you’re doing is soaking it in saliva that contains the unique chemical signals released during hypoglycemia. These signals are what your dog will eventually learn to recogn...

Traveling can be exciting, but for those living with Type 1 Diabetes, it can also be a blood sugar rollercoaster. From long airport walks to changing time zones, unpredictable meals, and extreme heat, your routine can get thrown off fast. The good news is, with the right plan, you can enjoy your trip and stay in range.

Here are the top strategies to avoid travel-induced blood sugar chaos.

1. Adjust for Time Zone Changes

If you're crossing time zones, your basal insulin timing will need to shift.

• Traveling east means your day shortens, so you may need to take your insulin earlier.

• Traveling west means your day gets longer, so delay your dose slightly. Plan ahead by gradually adjusting your dosing time a day or two before your flight.

2. Lower Insulin Before the Airport

Airports involve a lot more walking than most of us realize. Security lines, terminals, and last-minute gate changes can lead to unexpected lows.

Consider reducing your bolus insulin or setting a tempora...

If your blood sugar is rising or falling when you have not eaten, exercised, or taken bolus insulin, the most likely issue is your basal insulin. A fasting basal test is a simple but powerful way to determine whether your background insulin is holding your blood sugar steady.

In this guide, you will learn how to properly test your basal insulin and identify whether adjustments are needed.

What Is a Fasting Basal Test?

A fasting basal test helps you isolate and evaluate your long-acting insulin. This could be a daily injection such as Lantus, Levemir, or Tresiba, or a basal rate programmed into an insulin pump.

The goal is to determine whether your blood sugar stays stable during periods when food, bolus insulin, and exercise are not influencing it. If your blood sugar remains flat, your basal insulin is likely set correctly. If it rises or falls consistently, your dose or timing may need to be adjusted.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Choose a Time Block

Select one time period...

If you’re trying to get better control of your blood sugars, let’s talk about something simple that makes a big impact. Breakfast.

I’m not talking about cereal, toast, or fruit smoothies here. I’m talking fats and protein first thing in the morning. It sets the tone for your blood sugars all day long. And no, this isn’t just a bro science tip. It’s backed by actual research.

The Science

There’s a study from The Journal of Nutrition that looked at how people with Type 2 diabetes responded to high protein versus high carb breakfasts. The protein-packed meals came out on top. They helped keep post-meal blood sugars lower than the carb-heavy ones.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25733459/

Another study in the journal Obesity found that people who ate a bigger breakfast with more protein and fat actually had better A1C numbers over time. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24311451/

Why Fats and Protein Work

Carbs break down into sugar. Protein and fat do not. When you start the day wi...

Ready for a vacation but worried about managing your T1D? Here are some essential tips to keep your blood sugar in check while enjoying your getaway!

Pack Snacks and Protein Powder

Always have healthy snacks and protein powder on hand. These can be lifesavers when you need a quick, blood sugar-friendly bite. Think nuts, seeds, sugar-free protein bars, and powdered shakes. Having these readily available can prevent unexpected blood sugar dips and help you maintain a balanced diet even on the go.

Plan Dining Out

Research and plan your meals ahead of time. Look up menus online and choose restaurants that offer healthy options. Don’t be afraid to ask about ingredients or make special requests! Knowing your meal choices in advance can help you avoid high-carb, high-sugar options that could disrupt your blood sugar levels.

Adjust Your Basal for Increased Activity

Vacations often mean more walking and activities. Adjust your basal insulin rates to accommodate increased physical activity...

In the quest for optimal blood sugar management, low-carb diets often take the spotlight. While reducing carbohydrate intake can indeed be beneficial, it's not the only strategy for controlling blood sugar levels. Here are some of my favourties: 

These days kitchen space can be limited, so it pays to invest in a few good buys to make cooking and prepping food more fun and enjoyable. Here is a list of kitchen items that I can’t live without. 

1. Good Quality Wok. While the BBQ is my preferred weapon, the wok is a close second. The wok's unique shape distributes heat evenly and is the best for high-heat cooking of meats and vegetables. Use coconut oil or a splash of sesame oil with fresh garlic for a restaurant-quality stir-fry.
   
   
   
2. Digital Food Scale. To manage anything you must measure. If blood sugar control, fat loss, or muscle building is one of your goals you must track your intake of calories and macros. Be sure to use a scale that has the option to change from grams to ounces, and kilograms.
    
   
   
3. Knife Sharpener. A sharp knife is a safe knife and makes the process of prepping and cooking easier and more enjoyable.
   
   
   
4. Mini Electric Whisk. I literally use this bad boy three or four times a day to froth my coffee cream, beat sc...

I always say “being prepared isn’t just for the Boy Scouts”. Anyone who has spent any time traveling knows that buying food on the road or in airports can break the bank and blow your blood sugar to the moon.

Here are a few of my go-to options to save cash and keep my numbers in range when I’m traveling:

1. Boiled Eggs, Mixed Nuts, and Turkey Bites. Loaded full of fats, a moderate amount of protein, and calorie dense, this combo is my number one choice for long flights. It keeps me feeling full and satisfied all the while serving as an excellent movie-watching snack on board. You just need to get over the fact that you’re the person peeling boiled eggs on the plane!
   
   
   
   
2. Egg Bites. Needing nothing more than eggs, a muffin pan, and whatever else you have in the fridge, these little bad boys are both tasty and satisfying. Don’t be fooled by imposters sold at a big coffee chain (that shall remain nameless), those are full of cornstarch and other preservatives, that I can’t spell, that will a
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With so many nutrition protocols and “diets” out there, it’s quite common for people to feel overwhelmed and confused - and be in total “information overload” as one of my clients accurately refers to this abundance of (mis)information.

In this blog post, I break down the nutrition basics. If you have been struggling with blood sugar control, fat loss, muscle gain, or seeking proper nutritional information to “just feel well”, these are the simple rules that you should be following.  

1. EAT BREAKFAST WITHIN 1-HOUR OF WAKING EVERY DAY

Forget the fasting. Well, at least until you’ve woken up your metabolism. Most people don’t eat enough, or frequently enough which can lead to a sluggish metabolism. Starting each day with breakfast stunts the release of cortisol, the stress hormone which promotes fat storage and creates insulin resistance. Also, skipping breakfast and going about your day will cause your blood sugar to drop, resulting in an increased risk of making a poor nutritional ch...

It's the end of the year and many people are about to start their annual new year resolutions list. I thought it would be a great time to compile some of my top tips to help keep our blood sugar management in check. 

1. Do be prepared. Always being prepared isn’t just for Boy Scouts. Having your supplies readily available to you makes staying on top of your numbers less daunting. I’ve got an awesome collection of fanny packs loaded with strips, tips, and honey packs ready for when I’m out and about. I even keep an extra meter in my shaving kit just in case I fry my main meter in the sun on a beach in Cuba …yup it happened!

Don’t wing it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out for dinner only to realize that I only have 2u’s left in my insulin pen. This is how we get into trouble. Forgetting insulin, dead dexcoms, pod changes, etc. You get it. Every day counts living with T1D and we need to make sure that we put our numbers first and stay prepared.

2. Do keep all of your medic...