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Instructions
To personalize the information below,
print out this document and complete the "Your Turn" portions. If
you do not have a printer, or would rather use a hard-copy booklet, please
contact the NDIC Information Clearinghouse at National Diabetes Information
Clearinghouse. Request a copy of the Nutrition Series.
Even if you don't use the forms, the following
information will help you develop a healthy diet.
Contents
- Why
Should I Keep My Blood Sugar at a Healthy Level?
- How
Can I Keep My Blood Sugar at a Healthy Level?
- Why
Should I Eat About the Same Amount Each Day?
- Why
Should I Eat at About the Same Times Each Day?
- What
Times Should I Eat My Meals and Snacks?
- What
Times Should I Take My Diabetes Medicines?
- Points
To Remember
- The
Nutrition Series
- Acknowledgments
- National
Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
Why Should I Keep My Blood Sugar at a Healthy Level?
You should keep your blood sugar (also
called blood glucose) at a healthy level to prevent or slow down diabetes
problems. Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher what a healthy blood sugar
level is for you.
Your blood sugar can go too high if you eat too much. If
your blood sugar goes too high, you can get sick.
Your blood sugar can also go too high if you do not take
the right amount of diabetes medicine.
If your blood sugar stays high too much, you can get
diabetes problems. These can be heart, eye, foot, kidney, and other problems.
You can also get sick if your blood sugar gets too low.
How Can I Keep My Blood Sugar at a Healthy Level?
- Eat
about the same amounts of food each day.
- Eat
your meals and snacks at about the same times each day.
- Do
not skip meals or snacks.
- Take
your medicines at the same times each day.
- Exercise
at about the same times each day.
Why Should I Eat About the Same Amount Each Day?
The food you eat turns into sugar and
travels to your blood. This is called blood sugar. Your blood sugar goes up
after you eat.
Keep your blood sugar at a healthy level by eating about
the same amounts of food at about the same times each day.
Your blood sugar will not stay at a healthy level if you
eat a big lunch one day and a small lunch the next day.
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Eat
about the same amounts of food each day to keep your blood sugar
at a healthy level.
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Why Should I Eat at About the Same Times Each Day?
Eating at about the same times each day
helps you keep your blood sugar from getting too high or too low.
Eating at about the same times each day also helps your
diabetes medicine keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.
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Eat
at about the same times each day.
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What Times Should I Eat My Meals and Snacks?
Talk with your doctor or diabetes teacher
about how many meals and snacks you need to eat each day. Fill in the times
you should eat your meals and snacks on these clocks.
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Meal
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Snack
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Meal
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Snack
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Meal
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Snack
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What Times Should I Take My Diabetes Medicines?
Talk with your doctor or diabetes teacher
about the best times to take your diabetes medicines. Fill in the names of
your diabetes medicines, when you should take them, and how much you should
take.
Here are some hints:
- Diabetes
pills: Take these before you eat.
- Regular,
NPH, or Lente insulin: Take this 30 minutes before you eat.
- Humalog
insulin lispro: Take this just before you eat.
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 Name of medicine:
______________
Time: _______ Meal:____________
How much: ___________________
Name of medicine:
______________
Time: _______ Meal:____________
How much: ___________________
Name of medicine:
______________
Time: _______ Meal:____________
How much: ___________________
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Points To Remember
The food you eat makes your blood sugar
go up. Diabetes medicines make your blood sugar go down. Together they help
you keep your blood sugar at the healthy level.
That's why you should
- Eat
about the same amounts of food each day.
- Eat
your meals and snacks at about the same times each day.
- Try
not to skip meals and snacks.
- Take
your diabetes medicines at about the same times each day.
- Exercise
at about the same times each day.
Keeping your blood sugar at a healthy level every day
helps you prevent diabetes problems for a long time.
The Nutrition Series
Two other booklets can help you learn
more about food and diabetes:
- I
Have Diabetes: How Much Should I Eat?
- I
Have Diabetes: When Should I Eat?
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
E-mail: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is
a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under
the U.S. Public Health Service. Established in 1978, the clearinghouse
provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes and their
families, health care professionals, and the public. NDIC answers inquiries;
develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and works closely with
professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate
resources about diabetes.
Publications produced by the clearinghouse are reviewed
carefully for scientific accuracy, content, and readability.
This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse
encourages users of this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as
desired.
NIH Publication No. 98-4242
November 1997
e-text posted: 6 April 1998
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