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