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National Diabetes Month
November 2008
There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States living with diabetes, yet some people don’t even know they have it. Diabetes exists in four forms: pre-diabetes (when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes); type 1, or insulin dependent; type 2, or non-insulin dependent; and gestational diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body uses energy in food. People who have diabetes have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels. Common symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, increased thirst and urination, infections and cuts that don’t heal, blurred vision, hunger and weight loss.
The goal for diabetes management is controlling your blood sugar levels so they stay as near to normal as possible. Your blood sugar levels are like a teeter-totter, they go up and down. Those swings can be dangerous when diet, exercise and medication such as insulin aren’t balanced properly.
No matter what type of diabetes you have, control the “teeter totter” by carefully managing what you eat, how much and when. The game plan for smart eating with diabetes follows this general strategy: Eat about the same amount of food, in the right balance, at about the same time daily; to avoid weight gain, balance your day’s food choices with regular physical activity.
Some other general guidelines about managing diabetes and preventing its symptoms include:
- Get advice from a registered dietitian, many of whom are certified diabetes educators, for an eating plan that’s right for you.
- Choose a variety of nutrient-rich foods.
- Check Nutrition Facts on the food labels.
- Be portion savvy. Use measuring spoons and cups and buy a kitchen scale.
If you have diabetes, manage how you eat, refuel with foods regularly, incorporate physical activity into your daily routine and control your weight. For many people, smart eating, weight loss and active living are enough to control their blood sugar level.
If you need help developing a plan that works for you, contact a registered dietitian. To locate an RD in your area, see the Find a Nutrition Professional page.