Smart Food Now: Diabetes is the condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies.

There are a number of lifestyle considerations people living with diabetes need to consider in order to maintain or control their blood glucose levels. One of the main, crucial parts is healthy eating. Eating three times a day at regular times and having a healthy snack if needed. Choosinghigh fibre foods. High fibre foods will help control blood glucose levels, help with cholesterol, and make us feel full.

Drinking plenty of water during the day and choosing water over juice and soft drinks. Limiting the amount of sweets and sugar we eat in the day, and also limiting the amount of fatty foods. This will also help control body weight. Weight loss can help control blood glucose levels and actually even lower blood glucose levels. So when following a healthy meal plan, physical exercise, physical activity, is important in managing diabetes and for our overall health. Local Endocrinologist 

The recommendations for people living with diabetes are trying to aim for 150 minutes a week of aerobic exercise. Also aiming for three times a week resistance exercise, meaning using elastic bands or weights. If you’re new to exercise, just starting, or trying a new program, make sure to speak to your physician first for your safety.

Managing diabetes can sometimes be overwhelming. The research shows that stress can cause our blood glucose levels to rise, so a healthy part of managing diabetes is learning techniques to also manage stress. First of all, ask for help. When we’re feeling overwhelmed, we need to ask for help. Looking at other techniques for relaxation, something that works for you, whether it’s meditation, or breathing. Local Nutritionist 

Being prepared, so for example having sugar packets on you in case of hypoglycemia. And be positive. We need to remain positive. If things didn’t work out that day or something didn’t happen, focus more on the positives. 

Often seeing a local family physician for a referral to a Psychiatrist, psychologist or a councilor    in conjunction with a registered dietitian  is a great option to take control of this condition. Smart Food Now and exercise is also optominal for overall health.    

Remember, in keeping your A1C within target, this can help prevent long-term complication of diabetes. In following a healthy meal plan, doing regular exercise and managing stress, are all key components in staying healthy. Local Registered Dietician  If you have more questions on how to live with diabetes, please feel free to reach out to your physician, nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or other health care professional.

Presenter: Ms. Sarah Blunden, Registered Dietitian, Ville Saint-Laurent, QC

Now Health Network Local Practitioners: Registered Dietitian

So in the treatment of type 2 diabetes it’s important to address your lifestyle, to address your weight, and to address the other factors that cause heart disease and the complications of diabetes. So you generally need to have the assistance with your physician, your personal physician that may also include being referred to an internal medicine specialist or an endocrinologist.

You’ll need to have the services of a nurse and dietitian, generally those individuals who have extra training as diabetes educators, you may find it helpful to have a pharmacist who’s experienced with the treatment of diabetes and what products are available and what products sometimes you shouldn’t take on the over-the-counter market, and again, in today's world, many pharmacists are getting trained as diabetes educators and are a very good resource. There’s other specialties depending on your particular situation, whether it’s podiatrist or a special dentist, and it has to be individualized to your particular situation.

So, it’s important to use these services as you may need to do and to interact with your primary care physician to get referred to these specialists. Because of the multiple practitioners that are helpful in the treatment of diabetes, in many communities this has been organized into a diabetes clinic, which is convenient and very helpful for a patient as a resource.
There will generally be a dietitian, a nurse and a physician working there, but there may be other specialties as well, such as an exercise specialist. So, it’s necessary to enlist the help of these individuals from, again, your physician, dietitian, nurse, ophthalmologist, pharmacist to help you deal with your diabetes to the best of your ability. Presenter: Dr. Richard Bebb, Endocrinologist, Victoria, BC

Local Practitioners: Endocrinologist