Being Active with Diabetes
Diabetes Food Pyramid 
Eating & Carbohydrate Basics
Diabetes Medications
Insulin
Personal Diabetes Record
Testing Your Own Blood Sugar
More about Diabetes
Treatment Options for People at Risk
Community Programs
Tools for Clinicians
Eating Well with Diabetes
and Carbohydrate Basics
First there are three things to keep in mind to help control your blood sugars:
1. When you eat
2. What you eat
3. How much you eat
Here are some tips to get you started.
WHEN to eat
Eating at regular times will help control your blood sugars. This also helps to prevent low blood sugars (or hypoglycemia).
- Eat at least 3 meals each day including breakfast. This helps you feel satisfied. It also reduces your chances of overeating later.
- Try to eat at the same times each day.
- Try to eat a meal or a snack every 4 to 5 hours during your day. If you take insulin at dinner or bedtime, you may need a small bedtime snack.
- To prevent low blood sugars, don't skip or delay your meals and snacks.
WHAT to eat
You do not need special foods because you have diabetes. In fact, the foods that are good for you are good for everyone in your family. It is a good idea however, to try to choose more whole grain foods full of fiber. Fiber helps to keep your blood sugars in control. Each day try to eat a variety of healthy foods like:
- Grains, whole grain breads and cereals, pasta and rice, beans and peas, starchy vegetables (like corn, potatoes or yams)
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Low-fat or nonfat milk and nonfat artificially sweetened yogurt
- Fish, poultry (without skin), lean, trimmed meats, tofu, low-fat or nonfat cheeses, peanut butter
Choose heart healthy fats more often. These include olive or canola oils and some kinds of nuts such as almonds or walnuts. Limit sweets or baked goods and other foods with saturated and trans fats.