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10 Must-Follow Type 2 Diabetes Blogs for Empowering Insights in 2024

by alexxlab

Which type 2 diabetes blogs offer the most valuable information and support. How can these blogs help improve diabetes management and overall health. What unique perspectives do top diabetes bloggers bring to the community.

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The Power of Diabetes Blogs in Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition that requires proactive management and ongoing support. In today’s digital age, diabetes blogs have emerged as invaluable resources for individuals seeking information, motivation, and community. These online platforms offer a wealth of knowledge, personal experiences, and practical tips to help people navigate the challenges of living with type 2 diabetes.

Why are diabetes blogs so impactful? They provide:

  • Credible and up-to-date information on diabetes management
  • Inspiring stories from individuals successfully managing their condition
  • Practical advice for everyday challenges
  • A sense of community and support
  • Motivation to stay on track with health goals

Research has shown that engaging with diabetes online communities can have positive effects on health outcomes. A review of 47 studies published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that participation in these communities may increase the likelihood of developing diabetes-friendly habits and lead to improved or stable A1C levels.

Reversing T2D: A Plant-Based Approach to Diabetes Management

One standout blog in the diabetes community is Reversing T2D, run by Diana Licalzi, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, and Jose Tejero, an exercise physiologist and Ironman athlete. Their blog focuses on combining nutrition and exercise advice to help people delay or reverse the progression of type 2 diabetes.

What sets Reversing T2D apart?

  • Emphasis on plant-based eating for diabetes management
  • Comprehensive approach combining nutrition and physical activity
  • Evidence-based information backed by the latest research
  • Engaging content across multiple platforms (blog, TikTok, Instagram)

The blog’s popularity is evident from its impressive social media following, with over 157,000 TikTok followers and 27,200 Instagram followers. Licalzi recommends checking out their posts on “The Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Blood Sugar & Type 2 Diabetes” and “How Insulin Resistance Leads to Type 2 Diabetes” for in-depth, research-backed information.

Is a plant-based diet effective for managing type 2 diabetes?

While Reversing T2D strongly advocates for a plant-based approach, it’s important to note that the American Diabetes Association recognizes several eating plans as beneficial for managing type 2 diabetes. These include plant-based, low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and DASH diets. The key is finding an approach that works best for each individual’s needs and preferences.

Type2Diabetes.com: Video-Based Education for Diabetes Management

For those who prefer visual learning, Type2Diabetes.com and its companion YouTube channel offer a wealth of informative videos. Toby Smithson, RDN, CDCES, is the face behind this resource, known for her ability to break down complex topics into easily digestible information.

What makes Type2Diabetes.com unique?

  • Video-based content for visual learners
  • Simple explanations of complex diabetes concepts
  • Focus on day-to-day diabetes management
  • Free, accessible information for all

Smithson’s YouTube channel has garnered nearly 4,000 subscribers, showcasing the demand for video-based diabetes education. She recommends new visitors start with videos on “Looking for Hidden Sugar” and “5 Basic Must-Do’s for Managing Your Diabetes” to get a solid foundation in diabetes management.

How can video content enhance diabetes education?

Video-based learning can be particularly effective for diabetes education as it allows for visual demonstrations of concepts, techniques, and recipes. This format can make complex information more accessible and engaging, catering to different learning styles and preferences.

Diabetes Team: Fostering a Supportive Online Community

For those seeking direct interaction with others living with type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Team provides a dedicated platform. This online community offers a space for individuals to share experiences, ask questions, and provide mutual support.

What are the benefits of joining a diabetes-specific online community?

  • Peer support from others who understand the daily challenges of diabetes
  • Opportunity to share and learn from personal experiences
  • Access to a diverse range of perspectives and management strategies
  • Emotional support and encouragement
  • Reduced feelings of isolation

Engaging with a community like Diabetes Team can provide valuable insights and emotional support that complement the medical care received from healthcare professionals.

Navigating Diabetes Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for individuals with type 2 diabetes. As highlighted by the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. Additionally, the stress caused by the pandemic may affect blood sugar management.

A study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care found that individuals with diabetes who reported higher stress levels during the initial months of lockdown also experienced more difficulty controlling their blood sugar. In this context, diabetes blogs and online communities have become even more crucial in providing support and information.

How can diabetes blogs help during the pandemic?

Diabetes blogs can offer:

  • Up-to-date information on COVID-19 and diabetes
  • Tips for managing stress and maintaining blood sugar control
  • Virtual support to combat feelings of isolation
  • Advice on adapting diabetes management routines to pandemic conditions
  • Resources for telehealth and remote diabetes care

The Role of Social Media in Diabetes Education and Support

Many diabetes bloggers have expanded their reach through social media platforms, creating vibrant online communities. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube allow for diverse content formats and increased engagement with followers.

How are diabetes bloggers leveraging social media?

  • Sharing quick tips and diabetes hacks through short-form videos
  • Hosting live Q&A sessions to address followers’ concerns
  • Creating visually appealing infographics on diabetes management
  • Building a sense of community through interactive features
  • Providing real-time updates on diabetes news and research

The success of blogs like Reversing T2D on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram demonstrates the growing demand for diabetes-related content in easily accessible, engaging formats.

Empowering Type 2 Diabetes Management Through Education

The diverse array of diabetes blogs available in 2024 reflects the multifaceted nature of type 2 diabetes management. From plant-based nutrition advice to video tutorials and supportive online communities, these resources cater to various needs and preferences within the diabetes community.

What should you look for in a diabetes blog?

When choosing diabetes blogs to follow, consider:

  • Credibility of the authors (e.g., healthcare professionals, certified diabetes educators)
  • Evidence-based information and references to scientific research
  • Regular updates with current information
  • Engaging and accessible content formats
  • Positive and supportive approach to diabetes management
  • Alignment with your personal diabetes management goals and preferences

By leveraging these online resources, individuals with type 2 diabetes can gain valuable knowledge, find inspiration, and connect with a supportive community to enhance their diabetes management journey.

Personalized Approaches to Diabetes Management

While diabetes blogs offer a wealth of information and support, it’s crucial to remember that diabetes management is highly individualized. What works for one person may not be the best approach for another. The diverse range of blogs available reflects this reality, offering various perspectives and strategies for managing type 2 diabetes.

How can you develop a personalized diabetes management plan?

To create an effective, personalized approach:

  • Consult with your healthcare team to set realistic goals
  • Experiment with different strategies suggested by reputable blogs
  • Monitor your blood sugar responses to various interventions
  • Incorporate lifestyle changes that align with your preferences and daily routine
  • Regularly reassess and adjust your management plan as needed

By combining insights from diabetes blogs with guidance from healthcare professionals, individuals can develop a comprehensive, tailored approach to managing their type 2 diabetes effectively.

10 Type 2 Diabetes Blogs to Watch in 2022

Type 2 diabetes is not a disease to approach passively or alone. (Easier said than done, we know.) The good news is that there are a number of diabetes blogs and social media accounts that are packed with credible, informative, and inspiring advice. They can motivate you to stay on track with your health goals, whether that’s lowering your A1C, overhauling your diet, losing weight, or something else.

Such support is especially important while COVID-19 remains prevalent. That’s because diabetes puts you at a higher risk of complications of the disease, as the American Diabetes Association has warned. Also, stress caused by the pandemic may affect your ability to manage your blood sugar. More than 400 people with relatively well controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes participated in a Netherlands-based study published in January 2021 in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care, and those who reported having more difficulty controlling their blood sugar during the first two to three months of lockdown in spring 2020 also reported higher stress than the others.

RELATED: 10 Diabetes Care Tips During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Building virtual kinship with others who are living with diabetes may help with blood sugar management. According to a review of 47 studies published in March 2019 in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, participation in what’s called a diabetes online community (DOC), to which bloggers can belong, may increase the likelihood a person will develop diabetes-friendly habits, such as healthy eating, exercise, regular blood sugar checks, and taking insulin as prescribed. What’s more, participation was linked to a neutral or improved A1C.

Ready to jump in? We’ve rounded up some of the best type 2 diabetes blogs and accounts to check out in 2022. They’ll help you feel more educated and connected — during the current pandemic and beyond.

1. Reversing T2D

The duo behind Reversing T2D combine nutrition and exercise advice to help people delay or reverse the progression of type 2 diabetes. Diana Licalzi is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes care and education specialist ba

The Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Blood Sugar & Type 2 Diabetes

sed in Boulder, Colorado, and Jose Tejero is an exercise physiologist and Ironman athlete who lives in Rockville, Maryland. Their blog contains tips and hacks for plant-based eating, staying physically active, and managing everyday tasks with the disease. “We each saw a crucial need for more education and care in the diabetes space, and knew we wanted to offer more than what is provided in the traditional healthcare system,” Licalzi explains. Together they’ve garnered more than 157,000 TikTok followers and 27,200 Instagram followers.

If you visit their blog, check out “The Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Blood Sugar & Type 2 Diabetes,” says Licalzi. “This post does a great job dissecting the latest research.” She also recommends “How Insulin Resistance Leads to Type 2 Diabetes. ” “It explains the root cause of type 2 diabetes, and how insulin resistance develops and leads to the development of pre- and type 2 diabetes,” she explains. Their blog clearly favors a plant-based diet, which is incorporated into courses and programs that they sell elsewhere on their website. The American Diabetes Association says a plant-based diet is among several eating plans that can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes or help manage it, with others including low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets.

RELATED: The Best and Worst Foods to Eat in a Type 2 Diabetes Diet

2. Type2Diabetes.com

If you like watching videos to absorb advice and get tips, this site and companion YouTube channel will be right up your alley. Toby Smithson, RDN, CDCES, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has a knack for explaining complex topics in simple and cheerful ways. “Diabetes needs to be managed every day. That’s where I came up with my brand Diabetes EveryDay. My videos and website are there — at no cost — for those day-to-day questions that arise while managing diabetes,” says Smithson. She has type 1 diabetes, but offers plenty of information that is relevant for those with the type 2 condition, such as the importance of fiber in your diet or how to keep sweets in your life without spiking your blood sugar.

Watch the videos on Diabetes EveryDay if you also want to see the transcripts, or go to her YouTube channel, which has nearly 4,000 subscribers, for a streamlined experience. She recommends checking out “Looking for Hidden Sugar” and “5 Basic Must-Do’s for Managing Your Diabetes” first.

RELATED: The Best Diabetes Apps for Managing Blood Glucose, Food Intake, and More

4. Diabetes Team

If you’re strictly interested in engaging with other people who have type 2 diabetes, this online community may be for you. A good launching point is Diabetes Team’s Resources page, where you can access several articles and guides for living with the disease and staying safe in the COVID-19 era.

Then when you are ready to jump in and share your experiences, advice, and emotional support, go to their homepage and sign up for free. (Just a heads-up: The site may keep you logged in after you have registered.) There, new articles are interspersed with member posts about everyday living, concerns about health, and messages of support. You can connect with others who have interests in common by adding them to your “team.” “More than 116,000 registered members rely on the Diabetes Team web and mobile apps for meaningful connection and trusted information,” says Michelle Cox, a spokesperson for the San Francisco parent company, My Health Teams.

5. DiaTribe Learn

The Diabetic Foodie blog, which comes from the Diabetes Strong team, aims to show readers that “a diabetes diagnosis is not a dietary death sentence.” The founder, Shelby Kinnaird, another self-proclaimed foodie and person living with type 2 diabetes, created the blog to turn that mindset around. You’ll find a plethora of incredible recipes for dinners, side dishes, condiments, desserts, beverages, breads, and more.

Most of the meal recipes contain fewer than 400 calories per portion, with less than 45 grams of carbohydrates, and focus on providing lean proteins, nonstarchy vegetables, and healthy fats. There are special sections for paleo, vegan, and gluten-free eaters. Get inspired by the blog’s stunning pictures of popular dishes, such as Low-Carb Chicken Cacciatore, and tempting sweets like the gluten-free, keto-friendly brownies made with avocado.

RELATED: 7 Low-Carb Diet Mistakes to Avoid When You Have Type 2 Diabetes

8. Diabetes Self-Management

Acting as a go-to source for all things diabetes, the Diabetes Self-Management blog is more than just a place for personal stories and recipes (which it also has, by the way). Stop first at the News and Research section for timely information about the latest developments related to diabetes in the COVID-19 era. Then go to the type 2 diabetes section for relevant updates and advice. If you’re feeling peckish, check out the mouthwatering recipes, such as Greek Lemon Chicken and Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies. Finally, during these stressful times, peruse their advice for managing your mental wellness.

9. Wildly Fluctuating

Wildly Fluctuating is on a mission to raise diabetes awareness and debunk every misleading headline you’ve read online. Managed by Gretchen Becker, a health writer in Halifax, Vermont, with type 2 diabetes and the coauthor of The Four Corners Diet, Wildly Fluctuating reviews new developments such as emerging research about the newly identified fabkin hormone, which may be involved in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She also places them in context (“a lot more research needs to be done before fabkin wipes out diabetes”). What is most refreshing about the blog is her willingness to grapple openly with the daily frustrations of life with diabetes. How many times have we all thought to ourselves: “Life Is Unfair”?

RELATED: The Type 2 Diabetes Facts and Statistics You Need to Know

10. The Decadent Diabetic

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