What I need to know about Eating and Diabetes

Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, what, when, and how much you eat all affect your blood glucose. Blood glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy.

If you have diabetes (or impaired glucose tolerance), your blood glucose can go too high if you eat too much. If your blood glucose goes too high, you can get sick.

Your blood glucose can also go too high or drop too low if you don't take the right amount of diabetes medicine.

If your blood glucose stays high too much of the time, you can get heart, eye, foot, kidney, and other problems. You can also have problems if your blood glucose gets too low (hypoglycemia).

Keeping your blood glucose at a healthy level will prevent or slow down diabetes problems. Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher what a healthy blood glucose level is for you.

• How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose
• Blood Glucose Levels
• How can I keep my blood glucose at a healthy level?
• Why should I eat about the same amount at the same times each day to contol my diabetes?
• Your Diabetes Medicines
• Your Exercise Plan for Diabetes
• Hypoglycemia
• The Food Pyramid for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Starches for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Vegetables for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Fruit for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Milk and Yogurt for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Meat and Meat Substitutes for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Fats and Sweets with Diabetes
• Alcohol and Diabetes
• Your Meal Plan for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• Measuring Your Food for Healthy Eating with Diabetes
• When You Are Sick and Have Diabetes
• Points to Remember About Eating and Diabetes
• How to Find More Help with Eating and Diabetes