Better Understanding Diabetes Support -BUDS

07/09/2026

When I was younger I was taught about the Glycemic Index!

This thing helped me nail down what foods helped me in certain situations!

Later on Carb counting so I can bolus accordingly!

Well I've gone and combined this information for your convenience!

🍏Low GI - slow release carbs perfect for sitting down and keeping you fuller for longer. My go to for most meals.

🍊Medium GI - inbetween great for a day on the go or when you feel like you need a boost to avoid dropping later.

🩸High GI - food that will spike you bgl quickly and could save your life in a pinch when sugars drop low! Perfect for athletes to boost mid activity or post workout if heading low.

Learn your Glycemic Index of your favourite foods to get ahead with your BGL 💪💙

06/09/2026

Celebrating the wins 💪💙

95% target range 😳

7days

I gotta say it feels pretty good!

No brain fog, energy levels up, mood up, life feels amazing 🌈.

I don't know if what I'm doing will work for everyone but I'm more than happy to try!

If you want some support with you BGL comment win!

06/09/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the type 1 Dad's and to the Dads supporting type 1s showing up everyday!

Remember support the person first. Diabetes comes afterwards 🫣

💙

05/09/2026

Paddy McCartin

AFL star, type 1 and absolute legend!

Long story short Ro did a test run on my type 1 super heroes resource. He chose the sky captain based on a real super footy player and hero to Ro, Paddy McCartin.

We sent Paddy a message with Ro and his picture and he replied and even sent a message of support through to Ro.

Take a look at the impact a type 1 hero can make to a young kid who wants to play sport at the highest level 💙

Thanks again Paddy Mccartin for being so generous with your time and showing how great the type 1 diabetes community can be!

I may not be Paddy but you are welcome to send me a message and I will do what I can to help support you with your type 1 currently sitting around 95% time in range this week.

If anyone wants a copy of my diabetes super hero colouring ins follow along and send me a message on BUDS

04/09/2026

The reality for a lot of type 1 diabetics especially newly diagnosed is we crave to fit in.

We don't want to seem different or make a big deal.

New routines, events, holidays, change can be really challenging for a type 1.

These are the moments that out of control blood glucose levels can occur and are particularly dangerous for people pleasing type 1s who don't often speak out.

If you are a parent or teacher of a type 1 at a school be mindful that events are busy, they involve risks as students can be missed and routines change.

If your school needs support in this space please reach out!

01/09/2026

If someone told me I would be sitting at 99-100% time in range for 3days straight I would have laughed at the start of this year 😂

Now look at me go!

Simple formula
-Pre bolus 10-15min before
-water
-20-30min of exercise cardio and strength
-eat mostly healthy (low GI) but plan for a treat.
-dont sweat the small stuff
-keep an eye on the trend arrow

And of course

🤞and 🙏

Here to help so reach out if you need support 💙

01/09/2026

💙 DIABETES VICTORIA IMPACT AWARDS – I’D LOVE YOUR SUPPORT! 💙

I wanted to share something pretty exciting with the BUDS community.

The Diabetes Victoria Impact Awards recognise people who are making a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by diabetes.

One of the categories is the Outstanding Contribution – Lived Experience Award, which recognises an individual living with diabetes who has made a meaningful contribution over time to support others in the diabetes community.

I’m putting my hand up for this one. 💙

Since starting BUDS – Better Understanding Diabetes Support, I’ve been working to turn my own lived experience of Type 1 diabetes into something that can help others.

From supporting schools and families, to creating resources for young people, building community connections and helping improve understanding of what life with Type 1 is really like — BUDS is all about making sure people living with T1D feel supported, understood and less alone.

So I’m asking for your help. 💙

If you’ve seen the work I’ve been doing through BUDS and believe it deserves recognition, I’d love you to nominate me for the Outstanding Contribution – Lived Experience Award.

Your nomination would mean a lot to me personally, but I also see this as an opportunity to help BUDS reach more people.

Because the more people who know about BUDS, the more people we can potentially support.

More kids.
More families.
More schools.
More people living with Type 1.

More understanding. More connection. More support. 💙

So if you think the work we’re doing is worthy of recognition, please consider putting my name forward.

👇 NOMINATE HERE:

https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/diabetes-victoria-impact-awards/

https://form.jotform.com/252148587348064

And while you’re there, have a look at the other award categories too. There are some incredible people in our diabetes community who deserve to have their stories and contributions recognised. 💙🤞

Let’s keep building BUDS and supporting our T1 community together.

Please click the link to complete this form.

31/08/2026

I was chatting to one of my BUDS about what it took to get 100percent time in range!

It was like being obsessed focusing on every decision like my life depended on it and I mean it kinda does some times 😂.

Today I barely looked down at my pump.

Just ate healthy, planned my bolus, drank water, kept an eye on my arrow and felt my way through.

This feeling that people who don't live type 1 take for granted is like reaching the top of the mountain for a type 1.

Today I celebrate a little win and enjoy the sunshine ☀️

If you want to learn more comment or send me a message and I'll try my best to help 💙

Aiming for 100 but hoping for above 80 🤞

31/08/2026

💙 WELCOME TO BUDS — BETTER UNDERSTANDING DIABETES SUPPORT 💙

Hey everyone, I’m Todd, the founder of BUDS.

Before you dive into the content on this page, I wanted to take a moment to explain what BUDS is — and what it isn’t.

I’ve lived with Type 1 Diabetes for more than 25 years. Over that time, I’ve navigated school, sport, travel, camping, teaching, coaching, family life, training and plenty of the ups and downs that come with managing diabetes every single day.

BUDS was created from that personal lived experience.

The things I share here come from the lessons I’ve learned along the way — the things that have worked for me, the things that haven’t, the mistakes I’ve made, and the strategies and perspectives that have helped me live an active and fulfilling life with Type 1.

But there’s something really important I want to make clear:

⚠️ I am not a doctor, endocrinologist, diabetes educator, dietitian or healthcare professional.

The information shared through BUDS is not medical advice and should never replace individual advice from your healthcare team.

Instead, my hope is that BUDS can help you:

💙 Learn from real-life experiences
💙 Feel less alone in the challenges of diabetes
💙 Discover ideas and perspectives you can discuss with your healthcare team
💙 Ask better questions
💙 Build confidence in managing life with Type 1
💙 See that diabetes doesn't have to stop you from doing the things you love

Everyone's diabetes is different. What works for me may not work for you. That's why I encourage you to use the information here as a starting point for conversations with your own healthcare professionals.

My goal isn't to tell people how they should manage their diabetes.

It's to share my experiences and hopefully help people feel a little more understood, supported and confident.

BUDS is about learning, questioning, growing and thriving while living with diabetes. 💙

Thanks for being part of the BUDS community.

— Todd
Founder, BUDS | Better Understand

30/08/2026

Another lovely BUDS Cuppa at Lake View Cafe Colac. 💙

Heaps of good conversation and discussion about type 1 and lovely people in general.

The sugar free hot chocolates were tasty and whilst some could barely tell others still love the real thing 😂🫣.

Keep coming along and getting curious as we all try to Better Understand Diabetes through Supporting each other 😎💙