Large-print version
 

What I need to know about 

Eating and Diabetes 

U.S. Department 

of Health and 

Human Services 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

 

What I need to know about 

Eating and Diabetes 

U.S. Department 

of Health and 

Human Services 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

Contents
 

Eating and Diabetes ......................................................... 1
 

Blood Glucose Levels....................................................... 2
 

Your Diabetes Medicines .................................................. 5
 

Your Physical Activity Plan................................................ 6
 

The Diabetes Food Pyramid............................................. 8
 

Starches ......................................................................... 13
 

Vegetables...................................................................... 17
 

Fruits............................................................................... 21
 

Milk ................................................................................. 25
 

Meat and Meat Substitutes............................................. 29
 

Fats and Sweets............................................................. 33
 

Alcoholic Drinks.............................................................. 37
 

Your Meal Plan ............................................................... 38
 

Measuring Your Food...................................................... 40
 

When You’re Sick ............................................................ 42
 

Where can I get more information? ................................ 44
 

 

 

Eating and Diabetes 

You can take good care of yourself and your diabetes 

by learning 

l	 what to eat 

l	 how much to eat 

l	 when to eat 

Making wise food choices can help you 

l	 feel good every day 

l	 lose weight if you need to 

l	 lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other 

problems caused by diabetes 

Healthful eating helps keep your blood glucose, also called 

blood sugar, in your target range. Physical activity and, 

if needed, diabetes medicines also help. The diabetes 

target range is the blood glucose level suggested by 

diabetes experts for good health. You can help prevent 

health problems by keeping your blood glucose levels on 

target. 

1 
 

 

 

 

Blood Glucose Levels
 

What should my blood glucose levels be?
 

Target Blood Glucose Levels 

for People with Diabetes 

Before meals 70 to 130 

1 to 2 hours after the 

start of a meal less than 180 

Talk with your health care provider about your blood 

glucose target levels and write them here: 

My Target Blood Glucose Levels
 

Before meals ______ to ______ 

1 to 2 hours after the 

start of a meal less than _______ 

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood 

glucose on your own. Also ask your doctor for an A1C 

test at least twice a year. Your A1C number gives your 

average blood glucose for the past 3 months. The results 

from your blood glucose checks and your A1C test will tell 

you whether your diabetes care plan is working. 

2 
 

How can I keep my blood glucose levels on 

target? 

You can keep your blood glucose levels on target by 

l making wise food choices 

l being physically active 

l taking medicines if needed 

For people taking certain diabetes medicines, following 

a schedule for meals, snacks, and physical activity is 

best. However, some diabetes medicines allow for more 

flexibility. You’ll work with your health care team to create 

a diabetes plan that’s best for you. 

Lunch 

(Morning 

snack) (Afternoon 

snack) 

Breakfast 

Dinner (Evening 

snack) 

3 
Talk with your doctor or diabetes teacher about how many 

meals and snacks to eat each day. Fill in the times for 

your meals and snacks on these clocks. 

Breakfast Morning snack
 

Lunch Afternoon snack
 

Dinner Evening snack
 

4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Diabetes Medicines 

What you eat and when you eat affect how your diabetes 

medicines work. Talk with your doctor or diabetes teacher 

about when to take your diabetes medicines. Fill in the 

names of your diabetes medicines, when to take them, 

and how much to take. Draw hands on the clocks to show 

when to take your medicines. 

Name of medicine: _______________ 

Time: ________ Meal: ____________ 

How much: _____________________ 

Name of medicine: _______________ 

Time: ________ Meal: ____________ 

How much: _____________________ 

Name of medicine: _______________ 

Time: ________ Meal: ____________ 

How much: _____________________ 

Name of medicine: _______________ 

Time: ________ Meal: ____________ 

How much: _____________________ 

5 
 

 

 

Your Physical Activity Plan 

What you eat and when also depend on how much you 

exercise. Physical activity is an important part of staying 

healthy and controlling your blood glucose. Keep these 

points in mind: 

l	 Talk with your doctor about what types of exercise are 

safe for you. 

l	 Make sure your shoes fit well and your socks stay 

clean and dry. Check your feet for redness or sores 

after exercising. Call your doctor if you have sores 

that do not heal. 

l	 Warm up and stretch for 5 to 10 minutes before you 

exercise. Then cool down for several minutes after 

you exercise. For example, walk slowly at first, stretch, 

and then walk faster. Finish up by walking slowly 

again. 

l Ask your doctor whether you should exercise if your 

blood glucose level is high. 

l Ask your doctor whether you should have a snack 

before you exercise. 

l	 Know the signs of low blood glucose, also called 

hypoglycemia. Always carry food or glucose tablets 

to treat low blood glucose. 

l Always wear your medical identification or other ID. 

l Find an exercise buddy. Many people find they are 

more likely to do something active if a friend joins 

them. 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia) 

Low blood glucose can make you feel shaky, weak, 

confused, irritable, hungry, or tired. You may sweat a lot 

or get a headache. If you have these symptoms, check 

your blood glucose. If it is below 70, have one of the 

following right away: 

l	 3 or 4 glucose tablets 

l	 1 serving of glucose gel—the amount equal to 


15 grams of carbohydrate
 

l	 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of any fruit juice 

l	 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of a regular (not diet) soft drink 

l	 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk 

l	 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy 

l	 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey 

After 15 minutes, check your blood glucose again. If it’s 

still too low, have another serving. Repeat these steps 

until your blood glucose level is 70 or higher. If it will be 

an hour or more before your next meal, have a snack 

as well. 

7 
 

The Diabetes Food Pyramid
 

Fats and sweets
 

Milk 

Vegetables 

Starches 

Meat and meat 

substitutes 

Fruits 

The diabetes food pyramid can help you make wise food 

choices. It divides foods into groups, based on what 

they contain. Eat more from the groups at the bottom of 

the pyramid, and less from the groups at the top. Foods 

from the starches, fruits, vegetables, and milk groups are 

highest in carbohydrate. They affect your blood glucose 

levels the most. See pages 9, 10, and 11 to find out how 

much to eat from each food group. 

8 
 

 

 

How much should I eat each day? 

Have about 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day if you are a 

l small woman who exercises 

l small or medium-sized woman who wants to lose 

weight 

l medium-sized woman who does not exercise much 

Choose this many servings from these food groups 

to have 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day: 

6 starches 2 milks 

3 vegetables 4 to 6 ounces meat and meat 

substitutes 

2 fruits up to 3 fats 

Talk with your diabetes teacher about how to make a meal 

plan that fits the way you usually eat, your daily routine, 

and your diabetes medicines. Then make your own plan. 

9 
 

 

 

Have about 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day if you are a 

l large woman who wants to lose weight 

l small man at a healthy weight 

l medium-sized man who does not exercise much 

l medium-sized or large man who wants to lose weight 

Choose this many servings from these food groups 

to have 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day: 

8 starches 2 milks 

4 vegetables 4 to 6 ounces meat and meat 

substitutes 

3 fruits up to 4 fats 

Talk with your diabetes teacher about how to make a meal 

plan that fits the way you usually eat, your daily routine, 

and your diabetes medicines. Then make your own plan. 

10 
 

 

 

Have about 2,000 to 2,400 calories a day if you are a
 

l	 medium-sized or large man who exercises a lot or has 

a physically active job 

l	 large man at a healthy weight 

l	 medium-sized or large woman who exercises a lot or 

has a physically active job 

Choose this many servings from these food groups 

to have 2,000 to 2,400 calories a day: 

10 starches 2 milks 

4 vegetables 5 to 7 ounces meat and meat 

substitutes 

4 fruits up to 5 fats 

Talk with your diabetes teacher about how to make a meal 

plan that fits the way you usually eat, your daily routine, 

and your diabetes medicines. Then make your own plan. 

11 
 

Make Your Own Diabetes Food Pyramid 

Each day, I need 

_____ servings of 

fats and sweets 

_____ servings 

of milk 

_____ servings 

of vegetables 

_____ ounces of 

meat and meat 

substitutes 

_____ servings 

of fruits 

_____ servings of starches 

On pages 38 and 39, you can make your own meal plan. 

Write down how many servings to have at your meals 

and snacks. 

12 
 

 

Starches 

Starches are bread, grains, cereal, pasta, and starchy 

vegetables like corn and potatoes. They provide 

carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Whole grain 

starches are healthier because they have more vitamins, 

minerals, and fiber. 

Eat some starches at each meal. Eating starches is 

healthy for everyone, including people with diabetes. 

Starches 

Examples of starches are 

•  bread •  potatoes •  tortillas

•  pasta •  rice •  beans

•  corn •  crackers •  yams

•  pretzels •  cereal •  lentils

13 
How much is a serving of starch? 

Examples of 1 serving: 

OR OR OR 

1 slice of 1 small 1/2 cup cooked 1 6-inch 

bread potato cereal or 3/4 cup tortilla 

dry cereal flakes 

Examples of 2 servings: 

1 small 

potato 

1 small ear 

of corn 

+ OR 

2 slices 

of bread 

Examples of 3 servings:
 

1 small 

potato 

1/2 cup 

of peas 

+ OR 

1 cup 

of rice 

1 small 

roll 

+ 

If your plan includes more than one serving at a meal, you 

can choose different starches or have several servings of 

one starch. 

14 
 

 

 

1. How many servings of grains, cereals, pasta, and 

starchy vegetables (starches) do you now eat 

each day? 

I eat _____ starch servings each day. 

2. Go back to page 9, 10, or 11 to check how many 

servings of starches to have each day. 

I will eat _____ starch servings each day. 

3. I will eat this many servings of starches at 

Breakfast ___________ Snack __________ 

Lunch ______________ Snack __________ 

Dinner______________ Snack __________ 

A diabetes teacher can help you with your meal plan. 

15 
 

What are healthy ways to eat starches? 

l	 Buy whole grain breads and cereals. 

l	 Eat fewer fried and high-fat starches such as regular 

tortilla chips and potato chips, french fries, pastries, or 

biscuits. Try pretzels, fat-free popcorn, baked tortilla 

chips or potato chips, baked potatoes, or low-fat 

muffins. 

l	 Use low-fat or fat-free plain yogurt or fat-free sour 


cream instead of regular sour cream on a baked 


potato.
 

l	 Use mustard instead of mayonnaise on a sandwich. 

l	 Use low-fat or fat-free substitutes such as low-fat 


mayonnaise or light margarine on bread, rolls, or 


toast.
 

l	 Eat cereal with fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. 

16 
 

       

Vegetables 

Vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are 

low in carbohydrate. 

Vegetables 

Examples of vegetables are 

•  lettuce •  peppers •  celery

•  broccoli •  carrots •  chilies

•  vegetable juice •  green beans •  greens

•  spinach •  tomatoes •  cabbage

17 
How much is a serving of vegetables? 

Examples of 1 serving: 

OR OR 

Examples of 2 servings: 

1/2 cup 

vegetable 

juice 

1/2 cup 

cooked 

green beans 

+ 

1/2 cup 

broccoli 

1 cup 

tomato 

sauce 

+ 

OR
 

1/2 cup 

cooked 

carrots 

1 cup 

salad 

+ 

1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1 cup salad 

cooked carrots cooked 

green beans 

Examples of 3 servings:
 

1/2 cup 

cooked 

greens 

1/2 cup cooked 

green beans 

and 1 small 

tomato 

+ OR
 

If your plan includes more than one serving at a meal, 

you can choose several types of vegetables or have two 

or three servings of one vegetable. 

18 
 

 

 

1. How many servings of vegetables do you now eat 

each day? 

I eat _____ vegetable servings each day. 

2. Go back to page 9, 10, or 11 to check how many 

servings of vegetables to have each day. 

I will eat___________vegetable servings each day. 

3. I will eat this many servings of vegetables at 

Breakfast ___________ Snack __________ 

Lunch ______________ Snack __________ 

Dinner______________ Snack __________ 

A diabetes teacher can help you with your meal plan. 

19 
What are healthy ways to eat vegetables? 

l Eat raw and cooked vegetables with little or no fat, 

sauces, or dressings. 

l	 Try low-fat or fat-free salad dressing on raw 


vegetables or salads.
 

l	 Steam vegetables using water or low-fat broth. 

l	 Mix in some chopped onion or garlic. 

l	 Use a little vinegar or some lemon or lime juice. 

l	 Add a small piece of lean ham or smoked turkey 

instead of fat to vegetables when cooking. 

l	 Sprinkle with herbs and spices. 

l	 If you do use a small amount of fat, use canola oil, 

olive oil, or soft margarines (liquid or tub types) 

instead of fat from meat, butter, or shortening. 

20 
   

   

Fruits
 

Fruits provide carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
 

Fruits 

Examples of fruits include 

•  apples •  bananas •  mango

•  fruit juice •  raisins •  guava

•  strawberries •  oranges •  papaya

•  dried fruit •  watermelon •  berries

•  grapefruit •  peaches •  canned fruit

21 
How much is a serving of fruit? 

Examples of 1 serving: 

OR OR 

1 small 1/2 cup juice 1/2 grapefruit 

apple 

Examples of 2 servings: 

OR 

1 banana 1/2 cup 

orange juice 

11⁄

4 cups whole 

strawberries 

+ 

If your plan includes more than one serving at a meal, you 

can choose different types of fruit or have several servings 

of one fruit. 

22 
 

 

 

1. How many servings of fruit do you now eat each 

day? 

I eat _____ fruit servings each day. 

2. Go back to page 9, 10, or 11 to check how many 

servings of fruit to have each day. 

I will eat _____ fruit servings each day. 

3. I will eat this many servings of fruit at 

Breakfast ___________ Snack___________ 

Lunch ______________ Snack___________ 

Dinner______________ Snack___________ 

A diabetes teacher can help you with your meal plan. 

23 
 

What are healthy ways to eat fruits? 

l	 Eat fruits raw or cooked, as juice with no sugar added, 

canned in their own juice, or dried. 

l	 Buy smaller pieces of fruit. 

l	 Choose pieces of fruit more often than fruit juice.
 

Whole fruit is more filling and has more fiber.
 

l	 Save high-sugar and high-fat fruit desserts such as 

peach cobbler or cherry pie for special occasions. 

24 
Milk
 

Milk provides carbohydrate, protein, calcium, vitamins, and 

minerals. 

Milk 

25 
How much is a serving of milk? 

Examples of 1 serving: 

OR
 

1 cup fat-free or 1 cup fat-free (skim) or 

low-fat yogurt low-fat (1%) milk 

Note: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have four to 

five servings of milk each day. 

26 
 

 

 

1. How many servings of milk do you now have each 

day? 

I have _____ milk servings each day. 

2. Go back to page 9, 10, or 11 to check how many 

servings of milk to have each day. 

I will have ___________ milk servings each day. 

3. I will have this many servings of milk at 

Breakfast ___________ Snack __________ 

Lunch ______________ Snack __________ 

Dinner______________ Snack __________ 

A diabetes teacher can help you with your meal plan. 

27 
 

 

What are healthy ways to have milk? 

l	 Drink fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. 

l	 Eat low-fat or fat-free fruit yogurt sweetened with a 

low-calorie sweetener. 

l	 Use low-fat plain yogurt as a substitute for 


sour cream.
 

28 
   

            

Meat and Meat Substitutes
 

The meat and meat substitutes group includes meat, 

poultry, eggs, cheese, fish, and tofu. Eat small amounts of 

some of these foods each day. 

Meat and meat substitutes provide protein, vitamins, and 

minerals. 

Meat and Meat

Substitutes 

Examples of meat and meat substitutes include
 

•  chicken •  eggs •  cheese

•  beef •  peanut butter •  pork

•  fish •  tofu •  lamb

•  canned tuna or

other fish 

•  cottage cheese •  turkey

29 
How much is a serving of meat and meat 

substitutes? 

Meat and meat substitutes are measured in ounces. Here 

are examples. 

Examples of a 1-ounce serving: 

OR
 

1 egg 

2 tablespoons of 

peanut butter 

Example of a 2-ounce serving: 

1 slice (1 ounce) of turkey 


+
 

1 slice (1 ounce) of low-fat cheese
 

Example of a 3-ounce serving:
 

3 ounces of cooked lean 


meat, chicken, or fish*
 

*Three ounces of meat (after cooking) is about the size of 

a deck of cards. 

30 
 

 

 

1. How many ounces of meat and meat substitutes do 

you now eat each day? 

I eat _____ ounces of meat and meat substitutes 

each day. 

2. Go back to page 9, 10, or 11 to check how many 

ounces of meat and meat substitutes to have 

each day. 

I will eat _____ ounces of meat and meat 

substitutes each day. 

3. I will eat this many ounces of meat and meat 

substitutes at 

Breakfast ___________ Snack___________ 

Lunch ______________ Snack___________ 

Dinner______________ Snack___________ 

A diabetes teacher can help you with your meal plan. 

31 
 

 

What are healthy ways to eat meat and meat 

substitutes? 

l	 Buy cuts of beef, pork, ham, and lamb that have only 

a little fat on them. Trim off the extra fat. 

l	 Eat chicken or turkey without the skin. 

l	 Cook meat and meat substitutes in low-fat ways: 

• broil

• grill

• stir-fry

• roast

• steam

• microwave

l	 To add more flavor, use vinegars, lemon juice, soy 

sauce, salsa, ketchup, barbecue sauce, herbs, and 

spices. 

l	 Cook eggs using cooking spray or a non-stick pan. 

l	 Limit the amount of nuts, peanut butter, and fried 


foods you eat. They are high in fat.
 

l	 Check food labels. Choose low-fat or fat-free cheese. 

32 
 

   

   

   

Fats and Sweets
 

Limit the amount of fats and sweets you eat. Fats and 

sweets are not as nutritious as other foods. Fats have a lot 

of calories. Sweets can be high in carbohydrate and fat. 

Some contain saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol 

that increase your risk of heart disease. Limiting these 

foods will help you lose weight and keep your blood 

glucose and blood fats under control. 

Fats and Sweets 

Examples of fats include 

•  salad dressing •  butter •  avocado

•  oil •  margarine •  olives

•  cream cheese •  mayonnaise •  bacon

Examples of sweets include 

•  cake •  pie •  cookies

•  ice cream •  syrup •  doughnuts

33 
How much is a serving of sweets? 

Examples of 1 serving: 

OR OR 

1 3-inch 1 plain cake 1 tablespoon 


cookie doughnut maple syrup
 

34 
How much is a serving of fat? 

Examples of 1 serving: 

OR 

1 strip of bacon 1 teaspoon oil 

Examples of 2 servings: 

OR 

1 tablespoon 

regular salad 

dressing 

2 tablespoons 

reduced-fat 

salad dressing 

1 tablespoon 

reduced-fat 

mayonnaise 

+ 

35 
 

How can I satisfy my sweet tooth? 

Try having sugar-free popsicles, diet soda, fat-free 

ice cream or frozen yogurt, or sugar-free hot cocoa mix. 

Other tips: 

l	 Share desserts in restaurants. 

l	 Order small or child-size servings of ice cream or 


frozen yogurt.
 

l	 Divide homemade desserts into small servings and 

wrap each individually. Freeze extra servings. 

Remember, fat-free and low-sugar foods still have calories. 

Talk with your diabetes teacher about how to fit sweets into 

your meal plan. 

36 
Alcoholic Drinks
 

Alcoholic drinks have calories but no nutrients. If you have 

alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach, they can make your 

blood glucose level go too low. Alcoholic drinks also can 

raise your blood fats. If you want to have alcoholic drinks, 

talk with your doctor or diabetes teacher about how much 

to have. 

37 
 

Your Meal Plan
 

Plan your meals and snacks for one day. Work with your 

diabetes teacher if you need help. Breakfast

Food Group 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food Group 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food Group 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

How Much 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

Snack

How Much 

_____________ 

_____________ 

_____________ 

Food 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

How Much 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Lunch 

38 
Food Group 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food Group 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food Group 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Snack Dinner Snack 

Food 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

How Much 

_____________ 

_____________ 

_____________ 

Food 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

How Much 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

Food 

____________ 

____________ 

____________ 

How Much 

_____________ 

_____________ 

_____________ 

39 
   

   

             

Measuring Your Food 

To make sure your food servings are the right size, you 

can use 

l measuring cups 

l measuring spoons 

l a food scale 

Or you can use the guide below. Also, the Nutrition Facts 

label on food packages tells you how much of that food is 

in one serving. 

Guide to Sensible Serving Sizes

This much is the same as 

3 ounces 

1 serving of meat, chicken, 

turkey, or fish 

1 cup 

1 serving of 

• cooked vegetables

• salads

• casseroles or stews, such as
 

chili with beans 

• milk

40 
       

         

           

     

   

     

   

   

     

 This much is the same as 

1⁄2 cup 

1 serving of 

• fruit or fruit juice

• starchy vegetables, such as
 

potatoes or corn 

• pinto beans and other dried
 

beans 

• rice or noodles

• cereal

1 ounce 

1 serving of 

• snack food

• cheese (1 slice)

1 tablespoon 

1 serving of 

• salad dressing

• cream cheese

1 teaspoon 

1 serving of 

• margarine or butter
 

• oil
 

• mayonnaise

41
 

 

 

When You’re Sick 

Take care of yourself when you’re sick. Being sick can 

make your blood glucose go too high. Tips on what to do 

include the following: 

l	 Check your blood glucose level every 4 hours. Write 

down the results. 

l	 Keep taking your diabetes medicines. You need them 

even if you can’t keep food down. 

l	 Drink at least one cup (8 ounces) of water or other 

calorie-free, caffeine-free liquid every hour while 

you’re awake. 

l	 If you can’t eat your usual food, try drinking juice or 

eating crackers, popsicles, or soup. 

l	 If you can’t eat at all, drink clear liquids such as ginger 

ale. Eat or drink something with sugar in it if you have 

trouble keeping food down, because you still need 

calories. If you can’t eat enough, you increase your 

risk of low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia. 

42 
 

             

               

                   

       

           

         

         

             

                 

l	 In people with type 1 diabetes, when blood glucose is 

high, the body produces ketones. Ketones can make 

you sick. Test your urine or blood for ketones if 

• your blood glucose is above 240

• you can’t keep food or liquids down

l	 Call your health care provider right away if 

• your blood glucose has been above 240 for longer
 

than a day 

• you have ketones

• you feel sleepier than usual

• you have trouble breathing

• you can’t think clearly

• you throw up more than once

• you’ve had diarrhea for more than 6 hours

43 
 

Where can I get more information? 

Diabetes Teachers (nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and 

other health professionals) 

To find a diabetes teacher near you, call the 


American Association of Diabetes Educators 


toll-free at 1–800–TEAMUP4 (832–6874) or see 


www.diabeteseducator.org and click on “Find an 


Educator.”
 

Recognized Diabetes Education Programs (teaching 

programs approved by the American Diabetes Association) 

To find a program near you, call the American Diabetes 

Association toll-free at 1–800–DIABETES (342–2383) 

or see www.diabetes.org/education/edustate2.asp on the 

Internet. 

Dietitians 

To find a dietitian near you, contact the American Dietetic 

Association at www.eatright.org and click on “Find a 

Nutrition Professional.” 

44 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Diabetes 

Information Clearinghouse 

1 Information Way
 

Bethesda, MD 20892–3560
 

Phone: 1–800–860–8747
 

TTY: 1–866–569–1162
 

Fax: 703–738–4929
 

Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov
 

Internet: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
 

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service 

of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

(NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1978, the 

Clearinghouse provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes 

and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDIC 

answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely 

with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to 

coordinate resources about diabetes. 

Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both 

NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This booklet was originally reviewed 

by Marion J. Franz, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.D.E., Minneapolis, and Carolyn 

Leontos, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., University of Nevada. 

This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users 

of this booklet to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired. 

This booklet is also available at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov. 

This publication may contain information about medications. When 

prepared, this publication included the most current information available. 

For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food 

and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (463–6332) or visit 

www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information. 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

NIH Publication No. 08–5043L 

October 2007