FAQ
International Diabetes Center can provide answers to diabetes-related questions, including those below. If you have a specific question, please contact your health care provider. To schedule an appointment with International Diabetes Center, call 952-993-3393 or toll-free at 888-825-6315.
Can I get diabetes if I eat too much sugar?No. Risk factors, such as being overweight, having a family history of diabetes or having high blood pressure, can affect whether someone gets type 2 diabetes, but eating too much sugar does not directly cause any type of diabetes. Read about risk factors for diabetes.
Can people with diabetes eat sweet foods?Yes. Many food plans for people with diabetes use carbohydrate counting, which allows them to have an occasional treat and still keep their blood glucose levels in target.
Do people with diabetes have to eat sugar-free or fat-free foods?No. Like all people, those with diabetes need to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet relatively low in fat. This does not require special, sugar-free or fat-free food products. A food plan for people with diabetes is focused on carbohydrate foods because carbohydrate is the main nutrient that affects blood glucose levels.
Sometimes sugar-free foods are recommended because they can be low in carbohydrates and will not raise blood glucose levels. Many people with diabetes use low-fat or fat-free products to help control their blood fat levels (cholesterol) or total calories.
Sugar-free or fat-free foods are not always low in carbohydrates. Since carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels, it is important for people with diabetes to read the nutrition label on all foods. The label provides grams of carbohydrate per serving. If the product has carbohydrates, it will raise blood glucose levels.
Can people with diabetes drink alcohol?Most people with diabetes can drink alcohol safely. If you choose to include alcoholic beverages in your meal plan, know that alcohol tends to lower blood glucose.
- Use alcohol only when your diabetes is in good control or when you are not in the process of changing your treatment plan.
- Use alcohol in moderation: one serving per day for women; one or two servings per day for men. If you are taking metformin, limit alcohol to no more than two servings per day for safety.
- Avoid alcohol if you have a high triglyceride level (greater than 500), are planning to drive, pregnant or breastfeeding.
- For mixed drinks, water or sugar-free sodas or tonic are better choices.
- Always eat before drinking alcohol.
- Monitor your blood glucose, and be alert for symptoms of low blood glucose. Carry a carbohydrate snack.
- Carry your diabetes medical ID.
Do people with diabetes have to eat snacks?Not all people with diabetes need to eat snacks. It depends on what diabetes medications a person is taking and on personal preferences. Snacks are usually recommended when there is a lot of time between meals or if they fit with a person's eating habits. Snacks are generally not recommended for people who do not like to eat between meals or who want to avoid extra calories. Read more about diabetes treatment plans and food plans.
Can avoiding carbohydrate foods make diabetes go away?Unfortunately, diabetes currently cannot be cured; it only can be treated. Eating carbohydrate foods did not cause diabetes, so eliminating them will not make diabetes go away. People with diabetes can lower their blood glucose levels, however, by decreasing their carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrate foods are essential for providing the body with energy. A healthy, well-balanced diet is the best kind for everyone.