Eating is a celebration of life for everyone, including people with diabetes. Some people with diabetes shy away from certain foods because they do not know how the foods will affect their blood sugar levels. Take heart, because there is a way to enjoy healthy portions of your favorite foods. Checking your blood sugar levels at regular intervals throughout the day gives you valuable information to help you fit a wider variety of foods into your meal plan.

To understand how foods affect you, check your blood sugar levels regularly — at least as often as your health care provider recommends. Checking often shows you how specific foods affect your levels.

• Choose a smaller serving size.
• Combine foods optimally. Some foods tend to raise blood sugar levels more quickly than others. For example, orange juice (and other juices) raises blood sugar levels relatively quickly, while nuts do not. Combining a 4-ounce portion of orange juice with 1 or 2 tablespoons of almonds will help slow the rise of blood sugar.
• Change the timing of the meal so your diabetes medications work better to control blood sugar levels.

Recording your blood sugar levels and the foods you eat in a diabetes logbook will help you understand how food affects your blood sugar levels. As you learn how to manage your food so that blood sugar levels are under control, eating becomes more enjoyable (and your taste buds will thank you).

Of course, always check with your health care professional before making changes to your diet or medication. Certified diabetes educators — registered dietitians and nurses who specialize in diabetes — are an invaluable resource.

To find a certified diabetes educator near you, contact:
American Association of Diabetes Educators
200 W. Madison St., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 338-3633
aade@aadenet.org
www.diabeteseducator.org