Managing Type 1 Diabetes
Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes brings many questions, rapid changes in life, and it can be really hard to know where to start. Learn with us how to manage type 1 diabetes, and don't go through this alone.
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All the information provided to you by the diabetes team might feel overwhelming, and the fact you have a chronic condition and require daily management which almost always includes insulin delivery and blood glucose monitoring might feel like an impossible task.
You may be asking: What should I do to live well, maintain my health with diabetes and get my life back with new responsibilities?
Below you can find some practical tips and information.
You might also consider letting us, Diabetes Ireland, guide your way through our Type 1 Diabetes Community Network Programme
If it is your child who is diagnosed with diabetes:
Basic tips about living with type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes has no known cause or cure. It means your pancreas is no longer producing the insulin needed by your body.
Insulin is vital to converting glucose into energy. Because insulin acts to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, people with type 1 diabetes must replace insulin in the body to maintain blood glucose using injections or an insulin pump. See more basic information about Type 1 diabetes.
Here, we give you practical tips on how to manage type 1 diabetes for optimal health.
You can manage type 1 diabetes well by:
- taking insulin as recommended (and other medications, if prescribed by your diabetes team)
- monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly using a continuous glucose monitoring system or a blood glucose meter
- aiming to eat healthy for most of the time
- enjoying regular physical activity (whichever you choose!)
- aiming for a healthy body weight
- managing your stress effectively
- sharing your diabetes journey with peers
You are not alone
Although type 1 diabetes can be complex, it is manageable.
Your diabetes team is there to provide expert; personalised medical advice tailored to your needs. We in Diabetes Ireland, do not offer clinical advice, but may assist you and your family in your journey with Type 1 diabetes.
Our Type 1 diabetes Community Network Programme aims to provide general and wellbeing support, trusted information and motivation so you can flourish with diabetes.
You don’t have to deal with type 1 diabetes diagnosis on your own. Managing type 1 diabetes is much easier when you have a strong support system, reliable information, group discussions and events where you could meet other people living with diabetes.
How to manage type 1 diabetes
Delivering insulin
With type 1 diabetes, insulin replacement is required. Sometimes, in the beginning, ‘the honeymoon’ period can occur, but it is only temporary. In some cases (e.g. LADA – read more about it here), Type 1 diabetes develops slowly and other oral treatments are used to manage hyperglycemia, but the condition will progress to the stage where insulin is required.
Overall, all people with type 1 diabetes have to deliver insulin. There are different types of insulin. The vast majority of people with Type 1 diabetes would be delivering insulin via injections – we call it basal-bolus treatment or MDI – Multiple Daily Injections. It means that insulin needs to be delivered for the basic needs of the body (basal), and before each meal (bolus). Insulin can be also delivered to correct high glucose levels, meaning that people may take from four to ten (or more) injections a day.
The minority (in Ireland) would be on insulin pump a little device that is connected to your body via an infusion set and insulin is delivered continuously with pre-programmed basal rate, and manually delivered boluses. An advanced version of insulin pump is a hybrid closed-loop system, which uses automated algorithm to deliver insulin based on your glucose level values. You still need to inform the system on how many carbs you plan to eat, but the automation makes many insulin-delivery related decisions a lot more efficient.
Check here for more information about diabetes technology.
Sometimes, people with diabetes need to take other diabetes-related medicines. Check here to learn more about different types of insulin and medicines and treatments used to manage diabetes and diabetes-related complications.
Monitoring your blood glucose levels
Keeping your glucose levels in the optimum range requires a careful balance between what you eat, your physical activity and medication. Well-managed glucose levels can help prevent both short- and long-term complications.
If your glucose levels are too high, it can result in hyperglycaemia. If not corrected or not treated with insulin – it can even lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If too low, it can result in hypoglycaemia. In the worst case scenario, if glucose levels are extremely low and untreated, you might experience severe hypoglycaemia, which requires another person to help you to treat it (with glucose gels or Glucagon shot).
These short-term complications can be difficult to experience, so it’s important to know how to respond appropriately and ideally – prevent. Read more about managing glucose levels here.
You should measure your blood glucose levels daily and regularly, either via finger-pricking or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. If you still use a finger prick, you should check six to eight times or more every day, depending on how you feel, what you do and when and how often you need. If you use CGM, you receive information continuously and can measure time in range.
Time in range and hemoglobin A1C
People with type 1 diabetes in Ireland are eligible to use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems to manage glucose levels since 2023. CGM measures glucose levels continuously, puts all information on a graph, alarms when glucose levels are out of range (going too low or too high) and informs hybrid closed loop system’s insulin delivery.
Your time in range (TiR) is monitored thanks to CGM. We usually say that the range is between 4-10 mmol/dL (or a bit narrower, 4-7 mmol/dL) and anything below or above this is considered out of range (too high or too low). Your CGM system will alarm you if your glucose levels are above or below range, so you can react accordingly. Your diabetes team should advise you on what targets you should have as these should be personalised.
Your time in range can be monitored as part of your diabetes care in addition to your hemoglobin A1C, and aim for TiR above 70% (70% of glucose levels meeting the range).
Read more detailed information about glucose monitoring and diabetes technology.
See Type 1 diabetes in Adults National Clinical Guideline (2024).
Living well with type 1 diabetes
Having a healthy diet and being active is an important part of managing diabetes because it will help manage your blood glucose levels.
Learn more about healthy nutrition here.
People with type 1 diabetes are usually referred to complete DAFNE – Dose Adjusting for Normal Eating course, which teaches them how to carb count and deliver insulin for meal times.
Get active
Physical activity provides multiple benefits for diabetes management. Check out the benefits of exercise for effective diabetes management. See below more about physical activity and type 1 diabetes.
Minimise the risk of complications
If not well managed, diabetes can lead to serious complications that affect many parts of your body. This can happen with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Early diagnosis can help prevent diabetes-related complications.
Read more about diabetes complications and how to minimise and prevent the risk of complications here.
Diabetes care in Ireland
Type 1 diabetes is usually treated in a hospital diabetes clinic. It is really important to be under care of a diabetes multidisciplinary team, which includes a number of different health care professionals, who you can turn to for specialist advice, support and treatment necessary to manage type 1 diabetes well, access diabetes technology and have a personal treatment plan.
Multidisciplinary diabetes team (MDT) usually includes a Consultant Endocrinologist (a specialist in hormones and diabetes), Dietitian, Diabetes Nurse Specialists (DNS), Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP) and a Podiatrist. It should also include a Psychologist or a referral pathway to access psychological support. The MDT should be based in your nearest hospital. Any person with type 1 diabetes should be referred to a hospital-based MDT by their GP.
Having a regular healthcare routine for preventative checks with your healthcare team is recommended. Read about the diabetes annual cycle of care.
Physical activity and type 1 diabetes
Physical activity plays a vital role in the management of type 1 diabetes. Regular movement supports cardiovascular health, improves insulin sensitivity, strengthens muscles and bones, and contributes to overall physical and mental wellbeing.
For those living with type 1 diabetes, incorporating activity into daily life requires thoughtful planning. While the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) during or after physical activity can be a concern, these challenges can be effectively managed with appropriate preparation, monitoring, and support. With experience, many people find they are able to participate fully in a wide range of activities – safely and with confidence.
National and international guidelines recommend that adults with type 1 diabetes engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.
However, any increase in physical activity, no matter how small, can offer measurable health benefits.
- 8 benefits of physical activity for people with type 1 diabetes
- Recommendations for activity type, frequency, and duration
- Practical strategies for managing glucose levels around physical activity
8 benefits to being active when you live with type 1 diabetes
- Improved Insulin Sensitivity
Activity enhances the body’s response to insulin, both during and after activity. This can result in improved glucose uptake by the muscles and reduced insulin requirements over time. - Better Blood Glucose Management
Physical activity can help smooth out blood glucose fluctuations, particularly when part of a consistent routine. While exercise can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia in the short term, long-term engagement is associated with better overall glycaemic control (including lower HbA1c levels). - Cardiovascular Protection
People with Type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Aerobic exercise (e.g. walking, swimming, cycling) helps lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and support heart and vascular health. - Weight Management and Body Composition
Activity can help maintain a healthy body weight and reduce central (abdominal) fat. This is important, as excess body fat can increase insulin resistance even in people with Type 1 diabetes. - Bone and Muscle Strength
Resistance training supports musculoskeletal health, preserving bone density and muscle mass. This is especially relevant for adults with diabetes who may be at greater risk of fractures and age-related muscle loss. - Mental Health and Cognitive Function
Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. It also supports cognitive function, concentration, and overall mood—important factors in long-term diabetes self-management. - Reduced Risk of Diabetes-Related Complications
By supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health, regular exercise contributes to a reduced risk of long-term complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy, when undertaken with appropriate medical supervision. - Improved Quality of Life
People who engage in regular physical activity often report greater energy, better sleep, and improved confidence in managing their condition.
Recommendations for activity type, frequency, and duration
Frequency and Duration
- At least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, spread over at least 3 days, with no more than 2 consecutive days without activity.
- For Example: 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 days a week.
- Alternatively, 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.
- Include muscle-strengthening (resistance) exercises on 2 or more non-consecutive days per week.
Types of Recommended Activity
| Activity Type | Examples | Purpose |
| Aerobic (Cardiovascular) | Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing | Improves heart health, insulin sensitivity, glucose control |
| Resistance (Strength) | Bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, weight training | Supports muscle and bone health, metabolic stability |
| Flexibility & Balance | Yoga, Pilates, stretching, tai chi | Enhances mobility, reduces injury risk—especially with complications |
| Light movement breaks | Standing, walking during screen time | Reduces sedentary time, helps post-meal glucose control |
Additional recommendations
- Avoid prolonged sitting: Aim to break up sedentary time every 30–60 minutes with a few minutes of light activity.
- Post-meal movement: A short walk (2–10 minutes) after eating can help reduce postprandial (after-meal) glucose spikes.
- Individualisation is key: Tailor activity choices based on age, fitness level, diabetes management needs, and the presence of any diabetes-related complications.
Practical strategies for managing glucose levels around physical activity
Before Activity
1. Check blood glucose before starting (ideally 15–30 minutes beforehand).
- Safe range: generally 5–13 mmol/L (individual targets may vary so consult with your diabetes team).
- Avoid starting if glucose is <5 mmol/L without fast-acting carbohydrate.
- Postpone vigorous exercise if glucose is >14–15 mmol/L with ketones.
2. Adjust insulin in advance, especially for planned aerobic activity, discuss this with your diabetes team.
3. Eat extra carbohydrates if needed, especially if insulin was taken recently or glucose is trending low. 10–20g of carbohydrate may be required depending on intensity and duration.
During Activity
1. Monitor glucose regularly, especially for sessions >30 minutes. Every 30 minutes is typical, more often if needed.
Use Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) if available to you. The more data available, the more it will help with training and performance.
2. Have fast-acting carbohydrate on hand at all times.
Examples: glucose tablets, fruit juice, jelly sweets (~15g portions).
Stop and treat if symptoms of hypoglycaemia occur (<4 mmol/L).
3. Stay hydrated, as dehydration can affect glucose readings and insulin absorption.
After Activity
1. Continue monitoring glucose frequently for up to 24 hours, especially after moderate to intense exercise.
Delayed hypoglycaemia is common, especially overnight after afternoon/evening exercise.
2. Consider insulin adjustments after exercise, particularly for bedtime basal insulin or overnight pump settings, do this in consultation with your diabetes team.
3. Include a protein–carbohydrate snack after activity if exercising in the late afternoon or evening. This helps stabilise glucose and replenish energy stores. If you use an insulin pump or hybrid closed loop system, consult this step with your diabetes team.
Additional tips
- Log activity, timing, glucose, food, and insulin responses to identify patterns and adjust over time.
- Use trend arrows from your CGM rather than single glucose readings to guide decisions.
- Match activity to glucose trend and insulin on board.
- Rising glucose: more flexibility to start activity. Be carful not to keep glucose too high.
- Falling glucose: caution or consider carbohydrate. Keep monitoring throughout the exercise.
Summary Table
| When | Strategy |
| Before | Check glucose; adjust insulin; eat carbs if needed |
| During | Monitor glucose; carry fast-acting carbs; hydrate |
| After | Check for delayed lows; adjust insulin if needed |
| Any time | Keep a log; learn from patterns; speak to your team |
