The Healthy Diabetic
Welcome to The healthy Diabetic Podcast, each week I talk about how to navigate the complexities of diabetes. I interview doctors, Endo's, dietitians, CDE's, technology leaders, caregivers, and of course anybody who is affected by diabetes. This show is for you if you're looking for safe, educational, and engaging conversations. I promise to brighten your day, and you'll be sure to leave educated, supported, and guided on your way to a healthier and happier life with diabetes.
Remember, your only job as a diabetic is to figure out what works for you!
See you inside!
Coach Ken.
The Healthy Diabetic
#324: Diagnosed at 7, and Told She Should Never Have Kids - Jillian Khounchanh
In this powerful and deeply human episode, I sit down with Jillian, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 7 years old in 1991 — growing up in what many now call the dark ages of diabetes care.
Jillian’s story is layered, emotional, and incredibly insightful. Raised by a mother who also lived with Type 1 diabetes, she navigated childhood, adolescence, eating disorders, evolving technology, and eventually three healthy pregnancies— all while learning what actually works for her body through Dr Richard K. Bernstein's teachings.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Growing up with T1D shapes your relationship with food, control, and self-trust.
- “Eat whatever you want and dose for it” is incomplete advice for many people.
- Protein and fat do impact blood sugars — often hours later.
- Low-carb works well for some people, but restriction is a fast path to burnout.
- Diabetes management must feel livable, not punishing.
- Pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes is absolutely possible — even multiple times.
- Hormones (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum) dramatically affect insulin needs.
- Algorithms and automation can help — but they’re tools, not solutions.
📌 Resources & Topics Mentioned in This Episode
- Low-carb & high-protein nutrition strategies
- Protein and fat delayed glucose spikes
- Extended boluses & pump features
- CGM accuracy & algorithm limitations
- Dr. Richard K. Bernstein & The Law of Small Numbers
- Pregnancy & insulin resistance
- Breastfeeding and blood sugar variability
- Diabetic retinopathy treatments
- Self-advocacy in medical settings
- Diabetes stigma around motherhood
I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with T1D cut through the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and distrust in their daily decisions, so they can feel confident and live without consistently worrying about lows, their body image, or long term complications.
🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
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