When you have diabetes, balancing the food you eat with your physical activity and medicines can help keep your blood sugars on target. This can help you feel your best, day to day.

Food gives you the energy you need to do the things you enjoy and to take care of yourself. After a meal, most foods are broken down into glucose (sugar), which passes into the bloodstream and then enters the cells where it is used for energy.

After we eat, the pancreas responds to the rise in blood sugars by producing the right amount of insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into our cells. For glucose to get into the cells, insulin must be present. When there is not enough insulin, glucose stays in the blood, causing high blood sugar levels.

Either eating too much or not enough food upsets the balance, causing high or low blood sugar levels. High blood sugars increase your chances of long-term health problems.

Get Carb Smart. Learn the Basics About Carbs and Diabetes Visit healthsimple.com for more healthful tips.
Diabetes and Your Weight: What’s the Connection? American Diabetes Association
Diabetes Advisor, Vol. 19, Practical Tips for Healthful Eating American Diabetes Association
Diabetes Advisor, Vol. 11, Eating for Health American Diabetes Association
Additional Free Information From the SPLENDA® Brand Live Sweet. Stay Healthy. Helpful Hints and Tasty Treats for People With Diabetes 1-2-3 Sensible Steps to Help You Manage Your Weight These documents are provided in Portable Document Format (PDF). To view and print these documents, you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader®. If you do not have it, click the link below to download the free reader.   Link to Adobe Acrobat Reader Download page