Living with type 1 diabetes presents unique challenges and learning opportunities, whether you’re newly diagnosed or have managed it for years. As someone who has lived with type 1 for over 28 years and works with individuals with diabetes daily, I can attest that no two days are truly alike, and there’s always something new to discover.
That’s why continuous learning and staying inspired are crucial. In this blog post, I’ve compiled a list of impactful type 1 diabetes books that I’ve personally found incredibly valuable. These resources offer fresh perspectives and actionable insights for anyone managing type 1 diabetes or anyone supporting a loved one with diabetes. They also make thoughtful gifts for the person with diabetes in your life!
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Our Favorite Type 1 Diabetes Books
I’m excited to share my top type 1 diabetes book recommendations, all of which have significantly shaped my type 1 diabetes journey.
T1D Basics
- Bright Spots & Landmines: The Diabetes Guide I Wish Someone Had Handed Me by Adam Brown – This book is on my bookshelf, and I have re-read it multiple times. It offers tips and advice on food, mindset, exercise, and sleep strategies based on the author’s own experiences with type 1 diabetes. It is meant for people with type 1, but those with type 2 can also learn a ton.
- Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin by Gary Scheiner – This book is basically the bible for people with type 1 diabetes. It teaches you everything you need to know to live with diabetes successfully. The stunning reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Every person with diabetes or parent of a newly diagnosed child with diabetes should have a copy of this book.
Pregnancy and Diabetes
- Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Blood Sugar Management by Ginger Vieira and Jennifer Smith – This book was truly a lifesaver for me during my pregnancies. Both authors of this book have type 1 diabetes. In this book, the authors guide you through preparing for pregnancy from conception to birth, and even have some strategies to help with postpartum blood sugar management. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, I highly recommend this one.
Exercise and Diabetes
- Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes: How to Exercise Without Scary Lows or Frustrating Highs by Ginger Vieira – Always going low during or after exercise? This book is for you! This book breaks down the science of exercising with type 1 diabetes so you can avoid scary lows or frustrating high blood sugars, no matter what type of workouts you like to do.
Mindset and Diabetes
- Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It: Your Guide to Managing the Emotional Challenges of T1D by Dr. Mark Heyman – Sometimes our mindset is half the battle. As you likely know, life with diabetes is never predictable, and it is filled with never-ending ups and downs, which can lead to overwhelm and burnout. This book teaches you skills to help handle the emotional burden of diabetes and it does a great job at explaining how life becomes easier when you accept that diabetes sucks and you believe you can handle it.
Diabetes Technology
- Sugar Surfing By Stephen W. Ponder, MD, FAAP, CDE, and Kevin L. McMahon – This book is written by an endocrinologist who also has type 1 diabetes. I would recommend this book for those of you who have had diabetes for several years, use a CGM, and feel like you have the basics down and are ready to take it to the next level. It is a great book for those who want to be more proactive in their diabetes management, as it dives into the concept of blood sugar control through the use of continuous glucose monitoring and pumping through a technique called sugar surfing.
- Pumping Insulin: Everything for Success on a Pump and CGM by John Walsh and Ruth Roberts – This book is an incredibly helpful resource for anyone who is considering starting an insulin pump or wants to learn more and get better control of their blood sugars using their insulin pump. In an ideal world, everyone should read this book before starting on a pump!
Books for Loves Ones and Caregivers
- The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom: Real‑Life Stories of Parenting a Child with Type 1 Diabetes by Stacey Simms – This book is written by a mother of a child with type 1. It is a good reminder that perfection with diabetes is impossible and discusses the importance of being flexible, planning, and having a great sense of humor. A sequel is also available.
- Mommy Beeps: A book for children who love a type 1 diabetic by Kim Baillieul – Mommy Beeps is a story for children who do not have diabetes themselves but have a parent, sibling, teacher, or other loved one who has diabetes. It does a great job of explaining diabetes in terms that children can understand and relate to. My kids love this book!
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a wealth of knowledge available for individuals with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones. From foundational understanding to mastering diabetes technology and cultivating a resilient mindset, these books offer valuable insights for everyone. These type 1 diabetes books can truly be life-changing in improving your journey with diabetes.
If you prefer listening over reading, or enjoy an uplifting podcast, be sure to explore our post on favorite diabetes podcasts!
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