Dylan Smith, 30 years

Hello! Who are you? And tell us a little bit more about your diabetes.

I did not grow up with my diabetes. However, my brother was diagnosed as a type one diabetic in his teens. My endocrinologist believed that I had diabetes for 18 months before being diagnosed and treated. I have been on a plant-based diet for a few years and live an extremely active lifestyle here in Colorado—hiking, running, body weight training, and tennis are my main activities.

My family was highly supportive and, like me, SURPRISED. Type 1 diabetes does not discriminate, and I thought of myself as immune to such a disease, but it turns out I am just autoimmune, haha.

I am currently working in tech and heading back to school for bio and pre-med.

“Although your numbers are important, you aren’t your numbers.”

Dylan Smith, Denver, Colorado

Your treatment

How do you treat your diabetes, did a lot change over the past years and are you able to manage it well?

I have a PCP and endocrinologist from the Denver Health Network who support me. I have my A1C tested every six months, which is now at 5.3%!

I currently use a Freestyle Libre CGM, and I couldn’t imagine my life without it. I am so grateful for technology and to be able to share data with my physicians. I am injecting myself with insulin pens, and I am using Humalog and Basaglar insulin.

Only positive things changed since I became diabetic. You only have one body; take care of it!

I think I manage my diabetes pretty well, but every day is a journey. I am doing my best to make sure I eat healthy, exercise, and get as much sleep as possible!

Can you recognize the symptoms of a low/high blood sugar? Do you test often and can you tell a bit more about your experiences with low blood sugar?

Sometimes, I can recognize them. When my sugar is on the low side, I become sweaty and disoriented. When they are on the high side, I get very anxious.

I try to test my sugar levels before and after meals and exercise when needed.

To treat my low blood sugar levels, I use grapefruit juice.

Food and diet

How does your diabetes affect your eating and do you find being on a diet restrictive?

For breakfast, I eat plant-based toast, avocado, and everything bagel seasoning. For lunch, I like to eat a Greek chickpea salad, and for dinner, I like to eat an eggplant curry. My favorite food is pizza, always! I never skip meals.

I like to eat snacks, such as celery and hummus, cucumbers, and air-fried chickpeas.

I 100% vary my insulin dose. I love food and want to experience all the different types. Plant-based of course.

Trying to drink 4 to 6 glasses of water a day.

I don’t find being a diet restrictive, and when somebody asks me about any food I can or can’t eat, I don’t get annoyed. I look at it as an opportunity to educate about type one diabetes.

Do you believe that a plant based diet can improve diabetes? Did you ever experiment with this?

YES, YES, YES!

Do you have a hard time eating out in a restaurant? And what are you thoughts on making this easier?

Yes, absolutely! Being a new diabetic, it is really difficult sometimes to carb count. I like to go out and eat at experience-based restaurants.

“It’s not our fault that we have diabetes, I didn’t do this to myself.”

Dylan Smith, Denver, Colorado

Exercise and work

Does your diabetes restrict you from exercise or your daily job?

When I exercise, I do Pilates, body weight, tennis, and minimal lifting.

I work in the technology business, and it does not affect my diabetes.

Final

Do you have any positive or negative effects because of your diabetes?

The hardest part of being diabetic is not being in control. I am very competitive, so I can sometimes be a little hard on myself.

But the best part is becoming part of a really supportive community.

What is the best advice that you can give to non-diabetics, new diagnosed diabetics and diabetics?

It’s not our fault that we have diabetes. I didn’t do this to myself.

You have an incredible community around you. Although your numbers are important, you aren’t your numbers.

Lean on your diabetic family. I have met some fantastic people through social media who are experiencing the same things I am and can relate to. I am so lucky to have such a supportive partner and family, but sometimes, only another diabetic can grasp the emotional toll the disease takes on you.

What would you ask the other diabetics?

How do you take care of hypo moments from exercise?

Share your thoughts in the comments. I cannot wait to hear from you!

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