Dee had already lived with diabetes for twenty years when her physician sent her to see a diabetes educator. Despite all of her efforts to follow a meal plan, lose weight, and exercise, her latest HgbA1c had climbed to above 10%, reflecting an average blood glucose reading of over 250 mg/dL. She left the doctor’s office feeling frustrated and defeated, certain that there would not be much, if anything, more she could do to bring her blood glucose levels into acceptable control. Nonetheless, despite her misgivings, she decided to keep her appointment with the diabetes educator.

At her first appointment, Dee brought with her the dietary instructions she received at diagnosis, guidelines she had faithfully followed for two decades. She handed the worn brown paper bag to the educator. “This is what I was told to do,” she said.

The educator eyed the words scribbled on the bag, three foods that Dee was to avoid.

“I haven’t eaten a shred of pasta, potato, or white bread in twenty years,” Dee said. “I don’t understand why my blood sugar is so high.”

Imagine Dee’s surprise when the educator explained carbohydrates. “All carbohydrates will be sugar in your body,” the educator began. What followed was a series of sessions talking about the many foods that will raise blood sugar. The goal was never avoidance but management. Dee needed a balance between carbohydrate and insulin. Using her blood glucose monitor as a tool, Dee was able to evaluate her progress, and her HgbA1c came down to below 7%.

This was years ago, but there are still people with diabetes who look for sugar-free products, not understanding that sugar-free cookies are still carbohydrate. Sugar is sugar, whether it is added or naturally occurring. Others, like Dee, avoid certain foods without knowing that all kinds of milk, vegetables, grains, and fruits contain carbohydrate and will impact blood sugar to varying degrees. Even protein sources, such as meat, can impact glucose, although typically to a much lesser degree. And…there are other factors that impact blood glucose that time and space in a blog post cannot even begin to address.

Managing diabetes requires thorough education. But, diabetes is just one example. Many chronic diseases are impacted by nutritional choices, and it is up to you to advocate for your health. If you suffer from a chronic disease, ask to see a dietitian, if possible. Learn how to evaluate research and look for reputable information. Don’t settle for opinions; settle for facts. Then, make your health a priority. You are worth the effort.