Diabetes is a chronic disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin which is responsible for helping glucose enter cells throughout the body. If the pancreas does not produce insulin or if the body does not use insulin as well as it should, glucose is unable to enter cells where it is used as an energy source. Instead, glucose remains in the blood stream and levels can become too high. Diabetes is serious. If it is uncontrolled, it can lead to severe consequences like heart attack and stroke, kidney disease, eye damage and vision loss and nerve damage.

Foods are converted to glucose once they are eaten, digested, and broken down in the GI tract. So, healthy eating and meal planning are central to preventing and managing diabetes. Being physically active and managing stress are important too. An overall healthy lifestyle is key to good diabetes management and prevention.

Many people with diabetes require insulin and/or oral glucose lowering medications to help control blood glucose levels. It is important for anyone with diabetes who takes medications to learn to balance food, physical activity and medications to keep blood glucose levels from going too high or too low.