Paula Chinchilla, Trustee at League of Diabetes & Paediatric Diabetes Dietitian

As a parent of a child or teen living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), it’s natural to feel a mix of concern, determination, and sometimes a little overwhelm. Paula Chinchilla, a Trustee at the League of Diabetes, a Paediatric Diabetes Dietitian, and someone who lives with T1D herself, knows exactly what families are going through.

In this piece, we’ll share the League of Diabetes important work, practical tips for active children and teens, and simple snack and mealtime advice to help busy families, whether your child is newly diagnosed or has been managing T1D for years. Paula’s guidance is both real and actionable, giving you the tools to help your child or teenager thrive.

You wear several hats- League of Diabetes trustee, paediatric diabetes dietitian and someone who lives with T1D. Can you tell us about your own journey and how it’s shaped the way you support families today?

I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child in Costa Rica, and honestly, growing up with T1D shaped everything I do today. It taught me resilience, but also how important it is to have support and good diabetes education. Becoming a dietitian was my way to give back. Now, when I work with families, I understand both the science and the emotions behind it, the fear, the frustration, the hope. My own journey reminds me every day why this work matters.

My biggest motivation to give back through my career was my mum, who saw a real need for families living with Type 1 diabetes to connect with others. This led her to create a patient organisation in Costa Rica, which still supports families through camps and monthly meet-ups.

I always felt called to work in a hospital with children with T1D, and I was blessed with the opportunity to come to the UK to do exactly that, and at the same time become part of the League of Diabetes, a charity founded by my husband Gavin, who also lives with T1D.

From your experience, what difference does it make when you connect with families or young adults as a practitioner who also lives with T1D?

Connecting with families as someone who also lives with T1D makes a huge difference. People relax when they know you “get it” on a personal level. With young adults especially, they open more because they see someone living a full life with diabetes. In League of Diabetes, this connection is even stronger — we meet as equals, as people who understand the highs and lows. It creates trust very quickly.

What inspired you to become involved with the League of Diabetes, and what’s your role within the organisation?

I joined the League of Diabetes because I loved the idea of a grass root community-driven charity created by people with diabetes for people with diabetes. I really believe in peer support. My role now includes developing education, organising camps for adults with type 1 diabetes, and helping shape the vision of the charity. It’s very close to my heart.

For those who may not know, could you share a bit about the League of Diabetes, it’s mission and what it offers?

The League of Diabetes is a community charity focused on support, education and empowerment. Our mission is to create safe spaces where young people and families can connect, learn, and feel less alone. We run events, camps, educational workshops and fun activities where diabetes is part of the conversation but not the whole story. Our focus is to learn by being active through outdoor experiences and games. We have organised a camp/residential for over 18s living with T1 for 4 consecutive years which is a combination of outdoor activities, learning and peer support. The T1D festival is also a great event we have been organising for 3 years which includes music, dancing and a fashion show where people with T1D of all ages show their diabetes tech.

League of Diabetes | United Kingdom

Do you have a success story that stands out, perhaps a young person who really grew in confidence through the League’s support?

There are many, but one that always stays with me is a shy teenager who came to one of our events hardly speaking to anyone. By the end, she was helping younger children, laughing, and even sharing her own experiences. Her mum later told us it was the first time she had truly seen her daughter accept her diabetes. Moments like that remind me why we do this.

Parents often find it tricky to balance food, insulin, and activity. What is your best advice for helping children enjoy sports or physical activity while keeping glucose levels steady?

My biggest advice is to plan but don’t fear activity. Be open to learn from experimenting. Movement is so good for children. Start by looking at patterns, does your child drop fast? Do they need less insulin on sports days? Also, using temporary targets or activity modes (if your pump has them) can help a lot. And always carry simple carbs, even for short activities.

What are some of your go-to pre-sport snack ideas that help prevent hypos but don’t cause big spikes?

I like something with a bit of slow-release energy but not too heavy. For example: a small banana with a few nuts, yoghurt with berries, an oat bar, or half a peanut butter sandwich. For very active sports, a yoghurt drink or malt loaf works nicely. 

The key is: familiar foods, not too big, and tested on non-sport days first. 

It is very important to work with your pump algorithm if you have one as hybrid closed loop systems work best if you tell them when you are eating, even small snacks. If you tend to have big snacks before activity without insulin, the pump will spot the rise and act accordingly by delivering extra insulin which you don't want before activity. Small snacks depending on glucose levels and type of activity is the go-to and of course, to work with your diabetes team to find the best strategy.

For younger children (ages 0-7), what are some mealtime habits that can help them to start learning about their diabetes in a positive, empowering way?

Make mealtimes relaxed and consistent. Let them help choose or serve a part of the meal, even something small. You can also introduce gentle language like “this food gives us energy” or “we count carbs to help our body feel good”. No pressure, just curiosity. Kids learn so quickly when things are calm.

For preteens and teenagers, how can parents encourage independence around food choices and carb counting without it feeling like pressure or a “chore”?

I always say: give independence in small steps. Maybe they start by checking carbs for one snack a day or choosing their own breakfast. Avoid making it feel like homework. Celebrate effort, not perfection. Teens respond well when they feel trusted.

Mornings can be hectic, what are some good breakfast ideas before school that provide steady energy and help amid mid-morning highs?

I love: porridge with fruit, wholegrain toast with eggs, Greek yoghurt with oats, smoothies with milk and oats, or overnight oats. These give slow energy and help avoid the big spike-and-crash before lunch. Think about adding “barriers” to the carbs to be absorber slower by the body. Barriers can be sources of protein like eggs or cheese, sources of fibre like vegetables and fruit or healthy fats like nut butters or avocado. 

Hormones, stress and growth spurts can all impact glucose levels, what practical tips do you have for navigating these teenage ups and downs?

Hormones can create insulin resistance, especially in the mornings and evenings. My advice: look at patterns over several days, not just one. Adjust insulin settings with your team if needed and keep communication open. For teens, remind them these changes are not their fault, their body is growing fast.

Many families worry about being too strict with food. How can parents help children see food as freedom, not fear, while still being mindful of blood sugars?

I like using “everyday foods” and “sometimes foods” when we are trying to classify foods instead of good and bad foods. The language we use to describe food is going to impact the relationship that children will have with food later in life. 

All foods can fit, and diabetes should not feel like a punishment. The focus can be on balance, on enjoying meals together, and on planning ahead so they don’t feel restricted. When children see their parents relaxed around food, they learn to be relaxed too.

What are some ways to help children and teens feel “normal” and confident, not different, while managing their diabetes around friends?

Peer support is amazing for this like meeting others their age with T1D can change everything. Also, letting them choose how much they want to announce or keep private. Practising simple phrases for friends or teachers can boost confidence. And showing them role models with T1D helps a lot.

What’s one small, everyday habit you can recommend that can make diabetes management feel a little easier for the whole family?

One small habit I love is focusing on small wins. At the end of the day, instead of only checking numbers, start by celebrating what went well, even tiny things like “you treated that hypo so calmly” or “you remembered to bring your snacks.” This helps children feel proud rather than judged. And then, after that little diabetes check-in, move on quickly to talking about their day outside of diabetes. It keeps things positive and reminds them that diabetes is just one part of who they are.

For parents who are newly navigating a T1D diagnosis and feeling overwhelmed , what would you like them to know?

Please know you are not alone. The first weeks feel like a storm, but it does get easier. You will learn, your child will learn, and together you will find your rhythm. Reach out to people who understand, support makes a huge difference. 

Look for the opportunities and small positive things that a diabetes diagnosis has brought to your life, even though it might sound impossible, I bet you will find the answer.

Finally, as someone who’s both lived with T1D and dedicated your career to supporting others, what gives you the most hope for the next generation of children and teenagers growing up with diabetes?

What gives me the most hope is seeing how strong, resilient and capable children with diabetes are today. The technology is improving, communities are growing, and young people are becoming their own advocates. The next generation will grow up with more confidence, more support, and more opportunities to live freely with diabetes. That fills me with hope every day.