Diabetes Support
Diabetes support groups form a bridge between
formal health care and self-management. They have been
established to help people dealing with a variety of chronic
diseases such as diabetes. By gathering people with common
concerns, goals and interests, members feel less isolated.
Members gain a sense of self-esteem by listening to others.
Diabetes support groups help you find insight, new ideas and
effective forms of coping with the disease. Meetings address a
variety of topics, which are frequently suggested by the group.
Past speakers discussed medical issues or new diabetes products
that are of interest to the group.
Aspects of diabetes self-management are also discussed such as
exercise, nutrition, stress and blood glucose monitoring.
Members can gain new knowledge and understanding of diabetes in
an informal and relaxed environment. The healthcare
professionals leading the group can clarify myths and
misinformation. Groups also encourage members to seek support
from family and friends and learn how to relate more effectively
with their health care team.
Accepting information and advice from others dealing with
diabetes may be easier than accepting the same advice from a
health care professional. The common bond among members makes
expressing and dealing with emotions possible. Studies have
shown that attending a diabetes support group can reduce stress,
improve family functioning and have a positive effect on blood
sugar control.
Your diabetes healthcare team can help:
Ask your doctor about diabetes education. Your
healthcare team can answer all your questions and tell you more
about diabetes.
For example:
Your team may also include a:
-
Pharmacist
-
Social worker
-
Psychologist
-
Foot care specialist
-
Endocrinologist
-
Opthalmologist
Get the support you need:
It is not unusual to feel scared, shocked,
overwhelmed, or even angry when you first hear that you have
diabetes.
A positive and realistic attitude towards your diabetes can help
you to maintain good blood glucose levels.
Talk to others who have diabetes – ask
your Doctor how to contact your local Diabetes Association
branch about joining a peer-support group or visiting an
information session.
Healthy Eating is the key to Diabetes
Care.
Healthy eating will help you to:
-
Feel better
-
Stay healthy longer
-
Achieve the best possible management of your
blood glucose, blood fats, and blood pressure
-
Reduce the risk of complications
-
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Click
here to review a simple healthy diabetic meal plan.
Visit your dietitian
Dietitians are a very important part of your
healthcare team. Your dietitian
understands that your meal plan needs to be flexible and will
help you to develop
a personalized meal plan.
The dietitian will:
-
Determine how much and how often you should
eat, and plan for delayed meals
-
Fit your lifestyle changes into your meal
plan
-
Adapt your meal plan to fit in foods from
your culture
-
Adjust your meal plan so that you can still
eat your favorite foods
-
Having diabetes doesn’t mean that food has
to be a source of fear and guilt – you can still enjoy the
foods that you and your family usually eat!
Tips for healthy eating
Eat three regular meals a day no more than
six hours apart.
Here’s Why:
Eating at regular times helps your body control blood glucose
levels.
Limit sugars and sweets like sugar, regular pop, desserts,
candy, jam and honey.
Here’s Why: The
more sugar you eat the higher your blood glucose will be.
Limit the amount of high fat food you eat like fried foods,
chips and pastries.
Here’s Why:
High fat foods may cause weight gain. A healthy weight helps
control blood glucose levels.
Eat more high fiber foods.
Here’s Why: High
fiber foods may help you feel full and may lower blood glucose
and cholesterol levels.
Drink water if you are thirsty.
Here’s Why: Drinking
regular pop and fruit juice will raise your blood glucose.
Add physical activity to your life.
Here’s Why:
Regular physical activity will improve your blood glucose
management.
Click
here to review a simple healthy diabetic meal plan.
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