I am so excited for this episode because we are covering a topic that we have never talked about before on the Wholly Well Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes.
Joining us this week is my new friend, Kaitlyn Czajowski. She is a 20-year veteran of Type 1 Diabetes, a T1D health coach, and a nutritional therapy practitioner. Kaitlyn is passionate about helping those with T1D overcome the anxiety and uncertainty that come with managing their blood sugar. She helps her clients develop strategies that help them build up confidence and experience freedom in managing their T1D with ease.
If you or someone you love has T1D, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Resources Mentioned
Things to Remember
1) There is no cure (currently) for Type 1 Diabetes. This means that if you have T1D, you will be managing it your entire life through insulin and what you eat to make sure your blood sugar is never too low or too high. For those that have just been diagnosed, it can feel overwhelming to try to adjust to this new schedule of managing all the pieces necessary to keep their bodies running smoothly. Give yourself grace and compassion as you navigate this new normal.
2) You need to think beyond just managing your blood sugar. While managing your blood sugar through insulin is a big piece of the biological puzzle you now have to figure out, you can’t just stop there. Our bodies don’t work in isolation, so what we do to one part of our bodies will impact the others. This means that you can’t just take insulin and then eat whatever you want. You need to be thinking about how what you eat and the medicine you take will impact the rest of your body and how you can support every part of yourself.
3) Follow the basic food principles for someone with T1D. You can help support your body and minimize unnecessary stress by following these food basics. Make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet to help prevent craving carbs. Get plenty of fiber and see how your body does when you avoid gluten. Following some of these basics when it comes to food can reduce the number of stressors on your body and help you support it as you manage T1D.
The Wellness Wrap-Up
A new rhythm, perspective, or change you’ve made in your life to achieve a life that’s more wholly well.
Kaitlyn says, “Something I’ve often overlooked is taking care of my spiritual health. So I started a practice of ending my day by reflectively journaling how I did for the day, areas I can improve on, and how I lived my purpose for the day.”
Meet the Guest
Kaitlyn Czajowski
Kaitlyn Czajowski was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of 12. As a 20-year veteran of T1D, her mission is to help support others who have the disease as a T1D health coach and a nutritional therapy practitioner. Kaitlyn helps her clients understand the “highs and lows” of life with T1D as well as develop strategies to better manage the disease and have the freedom to pursue their lives on purpose.