Giving your body more insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. However, diet and exercise are also important parts of treatment. The goal is for you to keep your blood sugar level in a normal range. You need to check your blood sugar at home several times a day to see how well you are controlling your blood sugar. Because illness can have a big effect on your blood sugar, you will develop a sick-day plan with your provider.

• You will start having insulin shots as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. Insulin is available in different forms: for example, short-acting (regular), intermediate-acting (NPH, lente), and long-acting (ultralente). At first you may use short-acting insulin several times a day until your blood sugar is under good control. It is common to combine short-acting and some longer acting forms in 1 dose (in 1 syringe). Two new forms of insulin are rapid-acting or once-a-day. They are usually for people who have achieved good control of their blood sugars and have a special need for these types of insulin. You will learn how to measure your insulin dose, clean your skin, and give yourself shots. The insulin pump is another way to give the body insulin. The pump is worn at the waist like a pager. Your doctor will ask about your diet, changes in your lifestyle, other medicines you are taking, and how you use and store your insulin. You will also be checked for other medical problems, such as an infection.
• The main goal of your diet plan is to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Your healthcare provider will give you guidelines about which foods you should eat and how many calories you should eat each day. The number of calories recommended for your daily diet is based on your weight and whether you need to maintain, lose, or gain weight. You will also learn how to space your meals so you avoid going too long without food. Your provider may refer you to a dietitian for help with diet planning and meal management. A dietitian can help you design a meal plan that fits your lifestyle. Your prescribed diet will include a lot of lean protein, complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grain pasta, breads, and cereals), and foods with high fiber. Your diet should not include sugar-rich food such as soft drinks, candy, and desserts.
• Exercise is very important. A good activity plan can help control your blood sugar level. Talk to your healthcare provider about making an activity plan for you.
• Because you are using insulin to lower your blood sugar, you must carefully follow your healthcare provider's directions for checking your blood sugar. This will not only help you achieve good blood sugar control to prevent the complications of diabetes, but it will also help you prevent possibly life-threatening low levels of blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You will learn how to check your blood sugar at home. You will need a glucose meter, a small machine that tests your blood sugar. You will need some lancets (little blades or needles to prick your finger) and some test strips to put a drop of blood on. Your provider will tell you when and how often you need to check your blood sugar. When you have just been diagnosed with diabetes you will need to check your blood sugar more often. After you have your diabetes under control, your provider will tell you how you can decrease your sugar checks.
• Diabetes is harder to control when you are sick. Blood sugar can get very high during an illness and become a medical emergency. Be prepared for illness with a sick-day plan. Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop a plan designed specially for you.

Keep a log of your blood sugar measurements. Your provider will check the log at your appointments to see how well your treatment is working. A blood test called hemoglobin A1c can show your average blood sugar control over the last 2 or 3 months. Your provider may do this test every 2 or 3 months to check your overall control of your blood sugar level. This is the best way to see if you are keeping your diabetes under control. However, it does not replace daily blood sugar measurements. They show whether your treatment is working throughout the day.