To make sure your food servings are the right size, you can use
measuring cups
measuring spoons
a food scale
Also, the Nutrition Facts label on food packages tells you how much
of that food is in one serving.
Weigh or measure foods to make sure you eat the right amounts.
These tips will help you choose the right serving sizes.
Measure a serving size of dry cereal or hot cereal, pasta, or
rice and pour it into a bowl or plate. The next time you eat that
food, use the same bowl or plate and fill it to the same level.
For one serving of milk, measure 1 cup and pour it into a glass.
See how high it fills the glass. Always drink milk out of that size
glass.
Meat weighs more before it's cooked. For example, 4 ounces of
raw meat will weigh about 3 ounces after cooking. For meat with a
bone, like a pork chop or chicken leg, cook 5 ounces raw to get 3
ounces cooked.
One serving of meat or meat substitute is about the size and
thickness of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards.
A small fist is equal to about 1/2 cup of fruit, vegetables, or
starches like rice.
A small fist is equal to 1 small piece of fresh fruit.
A thumb is equal to about 1 ounce of meat or cheese.
The tip of a thumb is equal to about 1 teaspoon.
When You Are 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:
Check your blood glucose level every 4 hours. Write down the results.
Keep taking your diabetes medicines. You need them even if you can't keep food down.
Drink at least one cup (8 ounces) of water or other calorie-free, caffeine-free liquid every hour while you're awake.
If you can't eat your usual food, try drinking juice or eating crackers, popsicles, or soup.
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.
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
Call your health care provider right away if
your blood glucose has been above 240 for longer than a day
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use. Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication.
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
The main features of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, hypertension (high blood pressure), cholesterol abnormalities, and an increased risk for clotting. Patients are most often overweight or obese. Lifestyle modification such as the Mediterranean diet, exercise, and quitting smoking are the preferred treatment of metabolic syndrome.
Diabetes-related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include family history, ethnicity, birth weight, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Warning signs pointing to an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes include irregular menstruation, impaired fasting glucose, inflammatory markers, and other risks. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through a healthy diet (Mediterranean diet), exercise, weight control, not smoking, and medication.
Managing your diabetes is important. The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Information about exercise, diet diet, and medication will help you manage your diabetes better. Blood glucose reagent strips, blood glucose meters, urine glucose tests, tests for urinary ketones, continuous glucose sensors, and Hemoglobin A1C testing information is also provided in this article.
Taking care of a disease such as diabetes is a life-long process. Learn how to care for yourself or loved one with diabetes in situations such as illness, work, school, travel, or a natural disaster.
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