About Me
Hello T1D family! I'm Quinten Hunter and I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for over eight years. There have been many ups and downs throughout my journey, however I'm at a point where I'm beginning to see ways in which I can manipulate this condition through disciplinary measures to take control of my diabetes. My most recent Hemoglobin A1C test came back at a 4.3%, which equates to an average blood sugar of around 77-80 mg/dL. My commitment to a strict diet and frequent exercise have played a significant role in my ability to attain these levels. On top of that, I wear a continuous glucose monitor as well as an insulin pump to track blood sugars and manage insulin intake throughout the day. My goal is to inspire individuals like you who have my condition and provide all of the knowledge, tips, and tricks that have allowed me to optimize the treatment of my diabetes. Below are the pillars of what has allowed me to have success with my condition and will make up the foundation of my page.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." The great Hippocrates couldn't have said it any better! As type 1 diabetics, we know how important diet plays in managing blood sugar. However, in our society it can be difficult to adopt a diet that can effectively control blood sugars. I have found over the last year or so that a low-carb diet, while prioritzing protein and fats, has worked best for me. This adoption of a low-carb diet has afforded me fewer problems with hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes. I'm able to manage my insulin levels much more efficiently. I'm not constantly trying to recover from giving too much insulin for a certain carb count that results in a blood sugar crash. Controlling blood sugar levels is a balancing act, and the type of foods we put in our body will have a direct impact on our numbers. Therefore, limiting carb and sugar intake can drastically improve the peaks and valleys you see in your levels. We are allowed to enjoy carbs, however it should be in the form of a whole food, especially one that is high in fiber. This combination allows for a slower absorption of glucose into the bloodstream! I will offer meals and alternatives to certain popular foods that will ease insulin levels and control blood sugar.
Regular exercise is a key component in maintaining steady blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity. This refers to the body's ability to lowering blood sugar and in turn being more sensitive towards insulin. However, this is where you want to be careful. As we continue to ramp up exercise and become more insulin sensitive, we may see alarming drops in our levels during or after training. This is why I advise you to supplement with clean carb sources before or during your periods of exercise. On my page I will delve into more detail on how the two different forms of exercise, anaerobic and aerobic, have distinct effects on blood sugar variabilty.
The biggest factor that has allowed me to maintain great blood sugar averages has been due to my CGM system, the Dexcom G6. In order to see how my diet or exercise effects blood sugar levels, I need an accurate picture of where they are headed. My CGM gives me automatic updates of blood sugar readings every five minutes, so I can prepare and react accordingly to keep my levels in check. I have experimented with the G7 (most recent version in Dexcom's CGM designs) and it has also benefited me tremendously. In addition to using the Dexcom G6, I also wear the Omnipod 5 insulin pump. One of the main features that stands out to me is the fact that it's tubeless. This is ideal for my active lifestyle and it also helps being free from daily insulin injections!