If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels will be affected. High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and increase your chance of a heart attack or stroke. When diabetes is treated and well-managed, those risks decrease.
It is important to manage your diabetes with the support of your diabetes team. This includes your family doctor, diabetes nurse educator and registered dietitian. Some people may also see other health care providers, such as a diabetes specialist called an endocrinologist.
The table below describes the different types of diabetes.
| Types of Diabetes | Description |
| Type 1 | 10% of people with diabetes. The pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin injections are required. |
| Type 2 | 90% of people with diabetes. The pancreas cannot make enough insulin or the body does not properly use the insulin it makes, or both. Managed with diet alone or diabetes medications (pills, insulin or both). |
| Gestational | Can occur during pregnancy. Can increase risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. |
What are healthy blood sugar ranges for most people with diabetes?
- People with diabetes may have blood sugars that go too low or too high. This can cause serious health problems. Checking your blood sugar levels regularly can help.
- A member of your diabetes team will help you learn the best times to test your levels. Some people need to check often and others less often or not at all.
- Keeping track of your blood sugar levels, on your glucose meter (glucometer) or by recording them in a log book, can help you and your health care team manage your blood sugars.
Here are general blood sugar targets:
In the morning before you eat or drink (also called fasting blood sugar): 4 to 7 mmol/L
After eating (2 hours): 5 to 10 mmol/L
Hemoglobin A1C
A blood test called hemoglobin A1C (A1C for short) helps you and your health care team know how your blood sugars have been over the past 3 months. Most people should aim for Hemoglobin A1C of 7% or lower. Have your A1C tested every 3 months and see your diabetes team regularly.
How can you keep healthy blood sugar levels?
| Taking part in physical activity | Stay active with regular exercise |
| Eating healthy | Eat 3 balanced meals per day. Eat snacks as needed. Space meals no more than 4 to 6 hours apart. Eat more high fibre foods. Choose foods lower in salt, sugar and fat more often. If you are thirsty, drink water. Talk to a registered dietitian. |
| Monitoring blood sugars | Monitor as discussed with your health care team |
| Knowing the signs of low blood sugars | Signs of low blood sugar may include: rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking, hunger and headache. Know how to treat low blood sugar. Speak with your health care team to find out what works best for you. |
| Knowing the signs of high blood sugars | Signs of high blood sugar may include: increased thirst, passing more urine, weight loss, fatigue, increased appetite, blurred vision, feeling light- headed, feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting. Know how to treat high blood sugar. Speak with your health care team to find out what works best for you. |
| Reaching your targets for A1C, blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol | Work with your health care team to reach the targets recommended for you. These are generally: – A1C less than or equal to 7.0% – blood pressure of less than or equal to 130/80 – LDL cholesterol of less than or equal to 2.0 Review the Blood Pressure and Cholesterol sections for helpful tips |
| Taking medications | – Take your medications as prescribed – Continue taking them even if you feel well |
| Managing body weight | If needed, work towards a weight that is healthy for you. Review the Healthy Weight section for helpful tips. |
| Reducing stress | Find ways to manage stress that work for you, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and social support. Speak to your health care team for more support if you are having trouble coping |
| Quitting smoking | If you smoke and you cannot stop on your own, speak to your health care team Review the Being Smoke-Free section for helpful tips |
| Caring for your feet | Check your feet often on your own and consult your health care provider about any changes or concerns |
| Monitoring your vision | Visit your eye care specialist regularly |
Eating well with diabetes
Review the Nutrition section for information on general healthy eating. This section provides more information on eating well with diabetes.
- Aim for 3 balanced meals per day. Include snacks as needed.
- Space your meals no more than 4 to 6 hours apart
- Include more high fibre foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses (for example: beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds)
- Choose foods lower in salt, sugar and fat more often
- Drink water if you are thirsty
- Include moderate amounts of carbohydrate in your meal planning
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are nutrients found in many foods and drinks. Carbohydrates include sugar, starch and fibre. Sugar and starch are used for energy. Fibre helps with blood sugar control.
For people with diabetes, eating or drinking too much carbohydrate can raise blood sugar levels. Eating too little can lead to a low blood sugar.
Here are examples of foods and drinks that contain carbohydrates:
- bread, pita, roti, chapati, pasta, cereal, rice, crackers, dry beans and lentils
- corn, plantain, winter squash, parsnip, turnip, and potato
- fruit and fruit juice
- cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, kefir and yogurt
- sugar, honey, maple syrup, regular pop or soft drinks, cookies, pies, pastries, pudding, chips, pretzels, popcorn, candy and chocolate bars
Your registered dietitian can help you with your food choices to create a meal plan that will provide the right amount of carbohydrates for you.
For an example of a well-balanced meal, refer to the Nutrition – Health Eating section.
Having read the information in this section, consider the following questions
- Do I know what my blood sugar targets are?
- Do I know what the signs are if my blood sugar is too low?
- Do I know what can cause low blood sugars?
- Do I know what to do if my blood sugar level gets too low?
- Do I know what the signs are if my blood sugar is too high?
- Do I know what can cause high blood sugars?
- Do I know what to do if my blood sugar level gets too high?
- Do I know how often I should be checking my blood sugars?
- Do I know what medications I should be taking and when to take them?
- Do I know how to plan my meals to help manage my diabetes?
- If I need a glucometer kit, do I know how to use it? Do I know what my glucometer readings mean?
- Do I know who to speak with about my blood sugar levels?