Ministry of Health BC HealthFiles  


Nutrition Series
BC HealthFile #70, March 2004

Diabetes: Getting Started



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Healthy eating for diabetes

Here are some tips on healthy eating for diabetes until you talk with a registered dietitian.

Sample meal plan

Breakfast
Cereal, whole grain (1/2 cup or 125 mL)
Toast, whole grain (1 or 2 slices)
Peanut butter (1-2 Tbsp or 15-30 mL)
Fruit (1 small)
Milk (1 cup or 250 mL)
Tea, coffee or water

Lunch
Soup, if desired
Sandwich (whole grain bread or 6 inch pita with lean meat, chicken or fish)
Vegetable sticks
Yogurt (1/2 cup or 125 mL)
Margarine or butter (1 tsp or 5 mL)
Tea, coffee or water

Dinner
Lean meat, chicken or fish
Vegetables
Potato, rice or noodles
Green salad with dressing
Oil, margarine, or butter (1 tsp or 5 mL)
Milk (1 cup or 250 mL)
Tea, coffee or water
Fruit (1 small)

Between meal snacks (if needed)
Fruit (1 small) or low fat cheese with Melba toast (4) or milk (1 cup or 250 mL)

Adapted from Just the Basics © 2001 with permission from the Canadian Diabetes Association.

A Guide to Diabetes Services and Resources

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which your body cannot properly store or use glucose for energy. Glucose is a form of sugar that your body needs. Glucose comes from foods such as fruit, milk, some vegetables, starchy foods and sugar. To control your blood glucose, it is important to eat healthy foods and be active. You may also need to take pills and/or insulin.

Dial-A-Dietitian

Dial-A-Dietitian provides nutrition and special diet information, advice and referral services. You may call and speak with a registered dietitian about healthy eating for diabetes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For information, visit www.dialadietitian.org, or call:

In Greater Vancouver, call 604-732-9191
In BC, call toll-free 1-800-667-3438
Translation services are available in 130 languages

BC HealthGuide Program

This innovative, self-care program can help you and your family get health information and make better health decisions, in four easy ways:

In Greater Vancouver, call 604-215-4700
In BC, call toll free 1-866-215-4700
Deaf and hearing-impaired 1-866-889-4700
Translation services are available in 130 languages.

Diabetes Education Centres (DECs)

Your family doctor should refer you to your local DEC as soon as possible following diagnosis. DECs have courses and information to help you manage your diabetes.

Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)

The Canadian Diabetes Association is a key supporter of diabetes research, education, service and advocacy, with branches throughout British Columbia. Although the CDA community branches do not provide direct health care, they do provide information, referrals, resources, and a reference and lending library. For more information, visit www.diabetes.ca, or call:

In Greater Vancouver call 604-732-1331
In BC, call toll-free 1-800-665-6526

The Diabetes Team

In addition to your doctor, other health professionals may help you care for and manage diabetes. Your doctor will provide a referral if necessary.

The diabetes team may include:

Endorsed by:

For more BC HealthFile topics visit www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/index.stm, or visit your local public health unit.

Call the BC NurseLine to speak to a registered nurse, available 24-hours every day:
Visit BC HealthGuide OnLine - a world of health information you can trust at www.bchealthguide.org.

 

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