Food
There is no special diet for type 1 diabetes. You can eat most foods, as long as you match your insulin to what you eat. A healthy, balanced diet is good for your heart and overall health. A dietitian can help you with carbohydrate counting.
Exercise
Exercise is good for you, but it can lower your glucose, sometimes for hours afterwards. Check before, during and after, and carry fast-acting sugar. Your team can help you plan insulin and food around exercise.
Alcohol
Alcohol can cause hypos, including the next morning. Eat when you drink, check your glucose before bed, and make sure the people you are with know you have diabetes.
Driving
If you take insulin, you must tell the DVLA and meet the rules, including checking your glucose before driving and every 2 hours on long journeys. Keep fast-acting sugar in the car. If your glucose is 5 mmol/L or less, have a snack before you drive. Do not drive if it is below 4 mmol/L or you feel hypo. See GOV.UK for the full rules.
Travel
Take twice as much insulin and supplies as you think you need, and keep them in your hand luggage. Get a letter from your GP or team, and check travel insurance covers your diabetes.
Diabetes distress
Managing diabetes all day, every day can be exhausting. Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or burnt out is common. It is called diabetes distress. Talk to your diabetes team, who can refer you for support. Diabetes UK runs a free helpline.
Children and teenagers
If your child has type 1 diabetes, their school must have an individual healthcare plan and support them to manage it safely. Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D have guides for families.
Sources we used
We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.