What to do when you

have type 2 diabetes

Produced by Warwickshire Dietetic Service.

©2009-2014 Warwickshire Dietetic Service (SWFT) & Speech & Language Therapy Services (CWPT)

Accessible information for people with Learning

Disabilities

There are two types of Diabetes:

Type 1 and Type 2

Your Doctor has said you have Type 2

Diabetes.

Type 2 usually starts in people who

are overweight.

2

What is diabetes?

You need insulin to change the sugar

into energy.

People with diabetes have too much

sugar in their blood. The sugar

comes from the food they eat.

If your body does not make enough

insulin the level of sugar rises in

the blood.

This is called diabetes.

3

When your blood sugar is high

You may feel thirsty.

You may go to the toilet a lot.

You may feel more tired than usual.

You may lose weight.

4

See a doctor

Your doctor will give you

a check up.

Go to a doctor.

Blood tests.

Blood pressure.

5

See a nurse

The nurse will explain to

you what diabetes is.

Check your feet.

Explain how to take

your medicine or insulin.

6

See a dietitian

Talk to the dietitian at the

clinic who knows about food

and health.

They will help you to choose

the right foods to eat.

Help you lose weight if you

are overweight.

7

If you do not follow your treatment

plan you may have

health problems as you get older.

Diabetes can cause…

Heart attacks and strokes.

Eyesight problems.

Affect the feeling in your

feet.

Cause more problems with infections.

8

To help you feel better and

reduce your blood sugar you

should…

Eat a healthy diet.

Lose weight if overweight.

Exercise.

Take any prescribed medication which

may be tablets or insulin injections.

Attend your appointments with the

Doctor, Nurse, Dietitian.

Test your urine or blood if asked.

9

Eat regular meals

Eat 3 small meals per day.

Have a supper if told you need one.

Eat wholegrain starchy foods at each

meal.

Wholegrain bread or cereal

Potato, pasta or rice

Cut down on fatty and sugary foods.

Eat 5 portions of fruit, vegetables

and salad every day.

Cut down on your salt.

10

If you eat lots of these foods you will put on weight

If you eat lots of these foods you will stay slim and

healthy

11

Foods that are good for you

fruit

apples and pears

oranges

grilled chicken

carrots

carrots

low fat milk

bananas

baked potato

wholegrain bread

grilled fish

fish

broccoli

salad

12

Foods that are bad for you

fish and chips

cake

crisps

biscuits

sweets doughnuts

sausage roll ice cream pork pie

butter popcorn

samosa

sugar

13

14

Eat 5 of these every day

Choose Healthy Foods

fried breakfast

egg on toast

egg on toast

fish and chips

fish and chips

fruit pie and

custard

baked fish and

boiled potatoes

fruit salad

You will not feel

well if you eat

lots of these

foods

You will feel

well if you eat

more of these

foods

15

Portion Sizes for Meals

16

Walk

Do housework

Swim

Dance

Ride a bike

Exercise

every day

You can…

17

Drinks

Water is good for you

Try to drink water 6 – 8 times

every day

You can also drink tea, coffee, water,

sugar-free squash or low-fat milk

Do not add sugar to drinks

18

If you don’t drink enough you will

feel

Thirsty

Constipated

Dizzy

Confused

19

Shopping List

wholegrain bread and potatoes

low fat milk, yoghurt,

cheese

meat and fish

fruit & vegetables

20

Author Registered Dietitian

Department Dietetics

Contact No. 02476 865098/01926 495321 X4258

Published April 2015

Review Date April 2018

Version 2

SWH No 01198

21

Contact your local dietetic department

if you require more information

Dietetic Department Dietetic Department

George Eliot Hospital Warwick Hospital

Nuneaton CV10 7DJ Warwick CV34 5BW

Tel: 024 7686 5098 Tel: 01926 495321 Ext 4258

Contact PALS if you have a question

or concern about your healthcare

Tel: 01926 600054