Diabetes is one of the largest health issues facing Americans today. More than 29 million adults
Both forms of diabetes — type 1 and type 2 — are chronic conditions, meaning they require a lifetime of careful treatment to be properly managed. If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can cause serious health complications.
For those living with diabetes, the condition can be isolating and take up a significant amount of time as well as mental and emotional energy. Staying on top of your treatments can also be challenging, as everyday things can make a big impact on blood glucose readings, and treatment options are always changing. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best diabetes blogs out there. Whether you’re looking for recipes, resources, treatment options, or simple tips for living well, you’re sure to find something here for you.
Diabetes Self-Management Blog
Diabetes Self-Management has provided health information to the diabetes community for over 35 years. Their companion blog rounds up tips and info from both healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes. Posts range from hard-hitting news to tips and information you can use, like busting myths about grain. There are also personal stories, too, like this Letter to a Type 1 Mom. Check out the site for a news magazine take on diabetes, and be sure to scroll through their recipe section, too.
Scott’s Diabetes Blog
Minneapolis-based Scott K. Johnson has lived with type 1 diabetes for 37 years, and he’s been writing about it for 17 of them. In that time, Scott’s become a voice for the diabetes community, and his blog reflects that. Recent posts focus less on Scott’s personal experiences managing diabetes and more on his experiences engaging with others to fight for a cure. He reports on conferences, cool trips like one with the Novo Nordisk cycling team, and the latest in diabetes research. Scott’s posts are still personal, but the focus on community success makes this a great blog for anyone wanting to feel a little more connected to the diabetes community at large.
Diabetes Stops Here
Part of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Stop Diabetes program, this blog is all about keeping you updated on the ADA’s efforts to end diabetes. One of the blog’s goals is to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the ADA, such as reporting on the Association’s recent call to Congress. Association news is mixed with personal stories, from voices like diabetes camp volunteers, Safe at Schooladvocates, and others impacted by the Association’s resources and programs.
Diabetes Mine
Started in 2005 “by patients for patients,” Diabetes Mine lives up to its name by providing a gold mine of diabetes information. Amy Tenderich founded the site after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2003. The blog features a product review video series called test kitchen, as well as an advice column, and even Sunday funnies. In addition to research updates and product roundups, stories include reflective pieces on recent milestones and interviews with notable advocates like George Huntley.
A Sweet Life
Mike Aviad and Jessica Apple, the couple behind A Sweet Life, were both diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as adults. Their angle is to treat diabetes like a lifestyle and strive to live it the best they can, and their blog is a toolkit with everything you need to do just that. Sections delve deep into topics like travel and recent research, as well as the latest in techy tools and apps to help you live better with diabetes. Look for blog posts by Mike, Jessica, and guest bloggers that cover everything from running marathons with diabetes to accepting anger as part of living with diabetes.
Diabetes Hands Foundation’s Blog
The online home of the Diabetes Hands Foundation provides a community of support for those working to manage their diabetes. From here, you can access community forums in both English and Spanish, and keep up with goings on in the organization. Blog posts also cover important topics, like how to prioritize self-care in the winter months.
Bitter~Sweet
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 11 years old, Karen Graffeo gets it. She knows how overwhelming managing diabetes can be, and she’s not going to sugarcoat it. Karen started this blog in 2008, and since then has written personal posts on the daily realities of living with diabetes. Posts reflect on topics like what a “day off” from diabetes would look like, the effects that diabetes can have on spouses and partners, finding the silver lining when you’re too busy to eat, and grappling with infusion sites. Karen sometimes sprinkles in resources with her reflections, making this a great blog for someone who just wants a moment of real talk and doesn’t mind the occasional tip.
TuDiabetes Forum
The English-language companion site of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, this is the place to be for community chats about anything related to diabetes. With countless threads and thousands of users, the conversation possibilities are endless. Recent threads cover topics like the “food police” and other critics, crowdsourcing ideas about odd blood sugar spikes, and of course some internet fun. The forum is a great space for anyone in search of a diabetes community, a space to vent to others who get it, or answers to a burning diabetes question.
Diabetesaliciousness
Started by Kelly Kunik in 2007, Diabetesaliciousness is a personal blog infused with Kelly’s activist flair. She chronicles her experiences representing and standing with the diabetes community, be it at the March for Health, or attending an insulin access workshop. In between, she speaks honestly about the day-to-day and pulls lessons from those experiences, like when your body just wants carbs.
D-Mom Blog
Author and researcher Leighann Calentine runs this blog, based on her experiences raising two kids, one of whom has type 1 diabetes. Leighann draws on her role as a mom to provide tips for other parents on a variety of issues, like low blood sugar kits and how to deal with holidays like Easter, along with advice on practicing self-care when caring for someone else. Her “3 little diabetes things” series, meanwhile, covers tidbits like recent articles and books, news items, and cool products. Check out the resources page for online tools, help for the newly diagnosed, and guides on snack food and dining out.
Diabetes Daily
David Edelman and Elizabeth Zabell founded Diabetes Daily in 2005. The beauty of this blog is its simplicity; the content and layout focuses on just three things—learn, ask, and eat. The former provides an A-to-Z guide to diabetes, covering everything from symptoms to medications to complications, while the latter is a recipe treasure trove! Scroll through recipes for tasty treats like grilled halloumi bruschetta, or search by dietary restriction. Either way, every recipe is diabetes-friendly. Join the diabetes forum to pose questions or share stories, or pore over articles on virtually every diabetes-related topic you can think of!
Six Until Me
Kerri Morrone Sparling was six years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She started blogging in 2005 as a way to share the stories she wished she could find about living with diabetes. Kerri’s creative voice shines, and makes this blog not only fun to read, but deeply relatable — like her post on dealing with “distractabetes.” She’s also a mom and has written extensively about being pregnant with diabetes. In keeping with the goal of the blog to share stories, guest bloggers also pen posts about their diabetes experiences. Keep up with Kerri if you’re looking for real stories, real people, and real warmth.
Diabetes Stories
Riva Greenberg has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 45 years. Though she’s worn many different hats, she started blogging about diabetes as a means to share her own experiences as well as what she’s learned along the way. The goal of Diabetes Stories is to help others flourish, as she’s living proof you can live well with diabetes. Her advocacy work means frequent travel, and her recent posts track her journeys and reflections. Riva also posts updates about research advancement as well as opportunities to get involved.
dLife
Started in 2004, dLife connects diabetes patients and caregivers with the information they need to manage their diabetes. With a slight emphasis on eating and weight loss, this site is ideal for anyone who struggles with getting their diet under control to help manage their diabetes. Look for informative quizzes on discovering your diet personality,blood sugar testing 101, and dispelling diabetes myths. Also, check out the extensive “What Can I Eat?” section for seasonal recipes and tips on counting and cutting carbs. Many articles include a “bottom line” section, so you’re sure to get the information you came for, making this a great site for anyone looking for straight answers.
DiabetesSisters
Founded in 2008, DiabetesSisters is an oasis for women managing diabetes at all points of their lives, including pregnancy. The sisterTALK blog section is the heart of the site, covering all manner of diabetes topics. Recent posts touch on compulsive eating and type 2 diabetes, exercise, and diabetes-related exhaustion. If what you crave is community, this blog is a great place to start, but it doesn’t end there — be sure to stop by the forums for more real talk on topics like traveling and money management with diabetes.
Our Diabetic Life
Our Diabetic Life chronicles Meri’s experiences raising three boys with type 1 diabetes. What makes this blog so special is that it’s just real. Meri writes honestly and openly about the anxiety that comes with raising kids who have diabetes, what it’s like to be overwhelmed with worry and wanting to give in, and why it’s so important that you don’t. Meri’s posts are perfect for any diabetes mom or caregiver who just needs to hear a “Me too,” sometimes.
JDRF Blog
JDRF has been funding type 1 diabetes research since 1970. The organization’s blog provides a peek inside their work and suggests ways to increase your activism in helping understand and end diabetes. Recent posts outline what the T1D community needs from Washington, and you can also get inside looksinto Foundation members’ own experiences living with diabetes. Follow along if you want to keep up with JDRF and get the inside scoop, or if you want to stay on top of big efforts in the movement to end diabetes.
DiabetesDad
Tom Karlya is the diabetes dad behind this blog, and he writes to educate and inspire other diabetes parents with a dose of personal expertise gleaned from raising two kids with diabetes. Tom’s posts are sympathetic and sweet, as well as creative, like this letterwritten to a parent from diabetes. Tom also shares news and happenings from within the diabetes community, like updates on the rising cost of insulin.
This is Caleb…
After being diagnosed in 2007, Caleb and mom Lorraine started blogging as a way to share their stories and offer support to those dealing with new diagnoses. Blog posts range from informative to personal, and everywhere in between. Lorraine also poses questions to readers in her posts, making community a central part of the blog. Although Caleb is more the subject than the author these days, be sure to check out the “by Caleb” section, featuring blog and video posts from Caleb himself. All in all, this is a wonderful and relatable resource for parents in need of a little reassurance from someone on their level.
College Diabetes Network’s Blog
The College Diabetes Network is a nonprofit designed to connect young adults living with type 1 diabetes with the resources and support they need to navigate the college experience. The site’s resources are comprehensive, including how to ask for what you need during standardized tests, eating in the dining hall, and graduating to the real world (complete with job opportunities). Blog posts put a personal spin on the college experience, like being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes right before your freshman year, planning a semester abroad, or having to ask for help navigating health insurance alone.
Insulin Nation
A diabetes news platform for people living with type 1 diabetes, Insulin Nation curates news about diabetes research, technology, and much more. The site maintains sections on treatment, research, and healthy living, though articles also include personal stories, calls for community help, and relatable fun (face-palm moments, anyone?). There’s also a sister site, Type 2 Nation, for those living with type 2 diabetes.
T1 Everyday Magic’s Blog
The result of a collaboration between Lilly Diabetes and Disney, T1 Everyday Magic is designed to help families manage their child’s type 1 diabetes with a touch of that Disney sparkle. In addition to resources for the newly diagnosed, navigating daily life, and recipes of all sorts, the site’s blog offers invaluable news, tips, and stories informed by other diabetes parents’ experiences. Look for posts on making mistakes, with stories from parents about navigating their own mishaps, how to hack your to-do list, and how to build a community of diabetes parents. For an extra dose of fairy dust, check out the activities page for games, crafts, and printable stickers to make life with T1 a little more magical.
Diabetogenic
Melbourne-based Renza Scibilia has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1998, and her blog is an open and honest portrayal of how it has affected and continues to impact her everyday life. Read reflective posts, like how technology is changing the way she plans her meals, and check out her archived pregnancy diary, in which she chronicled what it was like expecting a child while managing her diabetes. Renza is also on top of all the latest news in the diabetes world, and posts a regular “Interweb Jumble” with links to reads from around the web.
Diabetes Forecast
Supported by the American Diabetes Association, this is the companion site to Diabetes Forecast magazine. Focused on healthy living, the site offers articles on food, well-being, exercise, medications, and other resources for living well. Check out the Hot Topics tab for the latest in diabetes research and trending topics, or click on People for interviews with celebrities and public figures living with diabetes, like Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor. If you prefer something more portable, look for the latest edition of diabetes science podcast Diabetes Discovery.
Diabetes Health
Nadia Al-Samarrie is the founder and editor-in-chief of Diabetes Health magazine. This site has everything you’d want from a magazine, including the latest in diabetes research and news, recipes, and crossword puzzles. Nadia pens a column, Ask Nadia, in which she responds to reader-submitted questions and muses on her own experiences and encounters (like meeting someone who stopped taking type 2 diabetes medication). If what you crave is help sorting through medication and device options, check out the Chartssection, which compares pumps, meters, needles, and more so you can make informed decisions about your treatment.
Diabetic Living
A lifestyle magazine, Diabetic Living mostly focuses on food and nutrition, with a sprinkling of content focused on motivation, medication, and weight loss. It makes sense, then, that the front page is covered in pictures of tasty-looking dishes, like energy-boosting breakfasts. Not sure what you can eat? Diabetic Living has you covered with handy guides to eating well at home and dining outwith diabetes. If weight loss is of interest to you, the Diet section has plenty of ideas, whatever your ability.
diaTribe
The mission of diaTribe, a publication of the diaTribe Foundation, is to help people “make sense of diabetes” by providing the community with actionable information. In so doing, diaTribe offers a wealth of resources on both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as prediabetes, and treatment options. The publication also features a wide variety of columns, so you can find one that suits your needs.
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