Which Jonas Brother Has Diabetes?
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 37.3 million US adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 aren’t even aware of their condition. Lifestyle choices and dietary habits play an important role in the development of diabetes.
Both celebrities and common people can fall prey to this chronic condition. Some of the most famous celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Anne Rice, Salma Hayek, Victor Garber, and Billie Jean King, were all diagnosed with diabetes. Even one of the Jonas Brothers has been diagnosed with diabetes too.
Which Jonas Brother Has Diabetes?
The youngest Jonas Brother, Nick Jonas, has diabetes. The American singer-songwriter has Type 1 diabetes, a rarer condition than Type 2 diabetes. He has been very vocal about his condition and has talked at length about his struggle with diabetes and what it meant to be diagnosed at an early age.
When Nick Jonas’ type 1 diabetes was diagnosed, his blood sugar was over 700 — and normal blood sugar levels are from 70 to 120.
The pop sensation first opened up about his type 1 diabetes in a candid Instagram post when he was 27 years old. He shared a selfie of himself wearing a cap with the logo of his organization, Beyond Type 1.
In the caption, Nick wrote:
“My Type 1 diabetes was diagnosed 14 years ago this month. This experience has shaped and made me rethink how should I approach my health – working out, eating healthy, and always thinking about my blood sugar and insulin needs.”, he added.
When Was Nick Jonas Diagnosed With Diabetes?
Jonas learned about his diabetes in 2005, when he was only 13 years old. Now 29, he has shared his experience about finding out about the diagnosis in different interviews. He told a major publication in an interview how he was in “really bad shape” after finding out.
“I lost about 20 pounds in 2 weeks. I couldn’t drink enough water and was going to the bathroom all the time; very irritable, which is a symptom of high blood sugar,” he added. In an earlier interview, he confessed how scared he had been back then, “I was very scared — it’s a big life change.”
The revelation about the condition came when he was touring with his brothers. Nick gave us a first-hand account of how he came to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in another Instagram post in 2021.
In his post marking the 16th anniversary of his diagnosis, he continued that “ After going over his symptoms, his pediatrician informed him that he was detected with Type 1 diabetes.
Crash Course About Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, is a less common type of diabetes. According to the CDC, only 5% to 10% of people with diabetes are diagnosed with Type 1.
However, this makes Type 1 diabetes no less serious or life-threatening. Although it is more common in children, teens, and young adults, Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age whenever the pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin. It is possible that an autoimmune process is responsible for the development of Type 1 diabetes.
The autoimmune process makes the immune system of the body target its own tissues. As a result, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, making them incapable of producing enough insulin.
This condition can be genetically inherited or as a consequence of exposure to viral infections and environmental toxins. Either way, individuals diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes need to follow a strict lifestyle and dietary habits.
The most common early symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include increased thirst, increased urge to use the toilet, excessive tiredness, weight loss, irritability, and increased hunger.
Nick Jonas’ Diabetes Diet
Jonas has remained committed to leading a healthy and disciplined lifestyle despite his initial uncertainties. Fortunately, he soon discovered that it’s a very manageable disease…as long as you’re really diligent.”
Priyanka Chopra is proud of her husband’s commitment to a disciplined lifestyle as well. In an interview with The View, the 39-year-old Indian actress has talked about how Nick has been taking care of his diabetes since he was so young and how crazy he is about his discipline. She added, “He knows exactly what to do when to do it.”
Nick Jonas himself has talked at length about how particular and careful he is about his fitness and diet. In an interview with Female First magazine, he shared a snippet of his diet preferences: “I live a pretty low-carb life”. He also wishes to eat pancakes all the time. That would be so much fun! When I do, it’s whole-wheat or buckwheat.”
Indeed, his healthy dietary habits and physique are evidence enough to show how dedicated Jonas is to lead and enjoy a full and happy life. However, taking extra care controlling what he eats and when he eats was not without its challenges.
In an interview with GQ, he shared his exact calorie intake as a Type 1 diabetes patient. “My meal plan came down to about 2,500 calories, and the portions got really small,” he said, talking about how he had gained massive weight.
Jonas is quite open about his personal food preferences and problem foods as well. He shared some of his problem foods in an interview with Men’s Journal and included red meat, dairy products, nightshade vegetables, olives, pomegranate, and blueberries.
Nick Jonas’s Type 1 diabetes diet plan ideally comprises an omelette with veggies and cashew cheese, turkey meat and fruit for breakfast, lean protein, nuts and veggies for lunch and dinner, and snap peas with peanut sauce for snacks.
Now You Know Which Jonas Brother Has Diabetes
Nick Jonas’s Type 1 diabetes has not held him back. He has succeeded in overcoming many of its challenges and continues to do so with the support of his fantastic family and friends. Jonas has co-founded Beyond Type 1, a non-profit organization that seeks to unite and provide solutions to the global diabetes community.
