Introduction

General Overview of Diabetes and Food

Food Groups and Diabetes

Eating for Target Blood Glucose Levels

Eating for Cardiovascular Health

Diabetes Medications

Resources and Recommended Websites

About the Authors

Test Your Knowledge

 

General Overview of Diabetes and Food

Treatment goals

There are certain goals set by the American Diabetes Association concerning the treatment of diabetes. They are:

1. Maintain a near-normal level of blood glucose. This can only be achieved by balancing the amount of food eaten with the amount exercise performed, and the amount of insulin available and effective. The insulin can be either what the body makes (endogenous) or be insulin injections (exogenous). Oral glucose-lowering medications and physical activity can also help maintain normal glucose levels.
2. Achieve and/or maintain optimal blood lipid levels.
3. Achieve and/or maintain optimal weight.
4. Prevent and/or treat complications of diabetes, such as retinopathy, kidney disease, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease.

Health care providers also recommend achieving normal blood pressure levels as a treatment goal.

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This document is a source of information only, and is not medical advice.