Special Diabetes Program

What you know about diabetes will give you power.
Having diabetes is tough, no one wants it. It is a serious illness for which there is no cure. When people find out they are diabetic, they may feel sad or angry. They may not want to believe it, or not want to deal with it. They may fell like just ignoring it, or refuse to make changes that they know are important. These feelings are very normal and common. But understanding what it means to have diabetes, and knowing what you need to do to take care of yourself is the best way to feel well, stay healthy, reduce the risk of complications, and protect your family.

The more you know about how diabetes affects you, and about how to control your blood glucose levels, the less power the disease will have over you. If you have diabetes, or live with someone who does, education is critical. If you have diabetes, be sure to get check-ups every six months (more often if your sugars are hard to control), if you are newly diagnosed, or have other conditions that increase your health risks. Together we can set goals for controlling your blood glucose, and make sure you have the information you need to feel well and live well.

One way to help control your blood level is to learn more about FATS. Here are some facts to help you understand the basic important things:

Dietary Fats are concentrated sources of food energy. Fats have 9 calories per gram, which is a LOT, much more than what is in proteins and carbohydrates, which are the other food sources. That's why we should be careful to include only very small amounts of fats in our diet. In a day, fat intake should not be more than 30 grams. READ THE LABELS ON FOOD YOU EAT. Some times it is shocking!

Cholesterol and Triglycerides are fat-like substances that are essential to certain body functions. But they are NOT essential in our diets! The liver manufactures all we need. Higher than normal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (or blood lipids) contributes to heart disease, and to insulin resistance. Reducing the levels of these substances in your blood is important. Lower levels meal less risk of health problems, and makes blood sugar control and weight loss easier. How do you control blood fats? Reduce the amount of fat you eat. It helps to know which foods are the highest sources of problem fats - and try to eliminate them from your diet. Saturated fats should always be avoided. These are animal fats - like lard, fatty means, poultry skin, whole milk; and foods containing palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil. Try to avoid these ingredients completely. Also avoid foods containing "hydrogenated" or "partially-hydrogenated vegetable oil". Instead, choose leaner meats, trim off the fat and skin. Use canola, olive, or peanut oil instead of other shortening and oils. Try to avoid processed foods, which are often high in the worst fats.

There is a lot of information available at the clinic or visit some of the sites listed on our resource page. Remember, the more you know, the more you will be able to choose what will keep you healthy.