Tips On…Diabetes, Type 2

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects the way your body uses food and insulin. People with diabetes cannot make energy from the food they eat. Sugar stays in the blood instead of mixing in the body's cells. In the past, type 2 diabetes was called non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The most common type of diabetes, it affects about 15 million Americans. It usually occurs in people over 40 who are overweight. About seven million Americans have been diagnosed, and another eight million remain undiagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Health Tips

• Follow your meal plan, eat healthy
• Eat meals at the proper time and on a regular schedule
• Use a scale to weigh portions of food
• Learn how to make healthy choices when you eat out
• Eat food and drinks with carbohydrates and fat in moderation
• Drink water or other calorie-free drinks (diet soda) when you have the urge to eat between meals
• Avoid eating large quantities at meals or snacks
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Choose a diet with plenty of vegetables and grains
• Eat only at a table
• Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
• Learn how to do proper skin care
• Learn how to care for your feet
• Ask your health care provider for a list of signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (dizziness, nausea, sweating, hunger, shakiness)
• Carry a sugared snack with you at all times to treat a low blood sugar attack
• Always carry identification that says you have diabetes, in case of an emergency.