Hi Kendall!

I've been a Type 1 for 38 years (my gosh, longer than you've been alive!!). I went on an insulin pump about 3 or so years ago because I have too many lows which I don't recognize. That has helped me a lot!

I don't know anything about celiac so I'm not sure what you can and can't eat with that. It looks the you have to go gluten free?

I think you can eat glucose tabs or gel though. Most that I know of don't have gluten or lactose! They are tasty and very quick acting (much faster than peanut butter with all the fat that's in there as fat slows down the absorption of carbs in your system). Unfortunately, they still have calories but depending on what brand you buy, a dose of 15 g of carbs may only be 60 calories or so.

Another option, if you can have it, is the fun sized 100% juice boxes. I use Juicy Juice brand. They are 100% juice and have about 13 to 16 g carbs per box. They also only have between 90 to 100 calories per box. Read the labels as you need to find the smaller, fun sized boxes and not the large ones that have way more carbs and calories.

I still have a lot of lows, even thought the pump has helped a lot. Sometimes, even when trying to be healthy and lose weight, I don't bother "counting" my glucose tabs in my calories. The small difference that those calories make have not affected me as of yet. I've just started my "being healthy" routine (this January) so that may change as I get closer to my goal or hit a plauteau. I DO count my juices that I drink for low though as they are more calories.

PS - Great job in getting into some good shape and having to take less insulin! That will help you lose more weight as insulin is a fat storing hormone.

Dear Lauren,

I have had diabetes since I was 12 and I am now 20. When I was 16 I developed diabulima and had to go to impatient treatment for 2 months. I have learned to love myself more and grow all around as a person dealing with an eating disorder. It never goes away but it will get easier. If you ever need to talk feel free!

Oh and Kendall I have celiac disease as well! It is a pain, and socially awkward but whatcha going to do? lol I also have problems with lows sometimes when I work out but recently I was put on the omni-pod and I can now stop my insulin when I decide to workout and it prevents lows better! (so i can use those calories on something else and not a sugary drink)

I'm T1 for 22 years now and have been on an insulin pump for 8 years or so. I also just got the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor a few days ago. I am seriously a bionic woman now! I use both basal (the small amount of insulin I get throughout the day) reduction and food to control my lows. My go-to low sugar treatment is either Archer Farms strawberry fruit pulls or 4oz. Juicy Juice boxes. They both have 15 carbs and keep me from binge eating during a low. I also try to anticipate and use my basal rate for control. I turn my pump off 45 minutes before working out and if my sugar seems to be heading toward low, I'll set a temporary low basal rate to try to combat the low. I hope that helps you some I know some days no matter how hard I try, it seems like my sugars bottom out regardless.