Find Diabetes Specialists near you

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FAQs:

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

What is a Diabetes Specialist?

A diabetes specialist is called an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists specialize in the glands of the endocrine (hormone) system. The pancreas is the gland involved in diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin, and problems with insulin are what managing your diabetes is about. Endocrinologists often work as a team with other diabetes specialists—nurse practitioners, dieticians, pharmacists, educators, and exercise physiologists—who help address every aspect of diabetes, which can be a very complicated problem to manage.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Different factors, such as genetics and some viruses, may cause type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults. Even after a lot of research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. Treatment is directed toward managing the amount of sugar in the blood using insulin, diet, and lifestyle to prevent complications.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that happens because of a problem in the way the body regulates and uses sugar as a fuel. That sugar also is called glucose. This long-term condition results in too much sugar circulating in the blood. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous, and immune systems. In type 2 diabetes, there are primarily two problems. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into the cells. Cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar.

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, but both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can begin during childhood and adulthood. Type 2 is more common in older adults. But the increase in the number of children with obesity has led to more cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people. There's no cure for type 2 diabetes. Losing weight, eating well, and exercising can help manage the disease. If diet and exercise aren't enough to control blood sugar, diabetes medications or insulin therapy may be recommended.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can cause health problems in both mother and baby. Managing your diabetes can help protect you and your baby.

What is Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes insipidus is a rare but treatable condition in which your body produces too much urine (pee) and isn’t able to properly retain water. Diabetes insipidus can be chronic (life-long) or temporary and mild or severe depending on the cause. Diabetes insipidus is mostly caused by an issue with a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH, or vasopressin) — either your body doesn’t make enough of ADH or your kidneys don’t use it properly.

People with diabetes insipidus pee large volumes of urine several times a day and drink large amounts of water because they feel constantly thirsty. If you have diabetes insipidus and don’t drink enough fluid to replace water loss through urine, you can become dehydrated, which is dangerous to your health. Because of this, diabetes insipidus is a serious condition that requires medical treatment.

What is the Difference Between Diabetes Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus are two distinct conditions with different causes and treatments. They share the name “diabetes” because they both cause increased thirst and frequent urination. “Diabetes” comes from the Greek word “diabainein,” which means “go through” — much like the liquids that quickly go through your body in these conditions.

Diabetes mellitus, most commonly known as Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes, happens when your pancreas doesn’t make any or enough insulin or your body doesn’t use the insulin it makes properly. Your body needs insulin to transform the food you eat into energy.

If your body doesn’t have insulin to transform glucose into energy, it starts breaking down fat and muscle for energy instead, which produces a substance called ketones. Too many ketones can turn your blood acidic, so your body tries to get rid of them through your urine. Because of this, symptoms of diabetes often include extreme thirst and frequent urination.

Diabetes insipidus happens when your body doesn’t make enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or your kidneys don’t use it properly. Your body needs ADH to retain appropriate amounts of water. Without ADH, your body loses water through urine. Diabetes mellitus is much more common than diabetes insipidus.

What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

Diabetic ketoacidosis, also known as DKA, is a serious complication of diabetes that happens when your body doesn't have enough of a hormone called insulin, which usually creates energy by letting blood sugar into your cells. Instead, your body starts to break down fat for energy, causing ketones to develop in your blood. If your body makes too many ketones at once, the buildup damages your body and makes your blood too acidic, which is called ketoacidosis. If you don’t get medical help in time, DKA can be life-threatening. Symptoms of DKA often build up slowly, so it’s important to know the warning signs, as it can usually be prevented and treated if discovered early.

Is Type 1 Diabetes Genetic?

While 90 percent of people who develop type 1 diabetes have no family connection with the condition, genetic factors can predispose people to developing type 1 diabetes. Certain genes are associated with type 1 diabetes risk. However, having these genes alone is not enough to cause someone to develop type 1 diabetes. It is thought that an additional environmental trigger causes type 1 diabetes to develop.

Can Diabetes be Reversed?

There’s no cure for diabetes and no way to completely get rid of it. However, diabetes can be reversed in most people. Reversing diabetes means carefully managing blood sugars to a point where medications are no longer necessary, and staying at that manageable point through a healthy routine of diet and exercise.

What are the Signs of Diabetic Feet?

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of foot conditions and complications if they have diabetes-related neuropathy and/or poor circulation. Diabetes-related neuropathy happens when you experience nerve damage due to persistently high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). It most commonly affects your feet.

Diabetes-related foot complications can happen due to a snowball effect of issues:

1. A sore or blister goes unnoticed: Neuropathy causes numbness, tingling, or pain in your feet, which can make it hard to tell you have a wound.

2. The wound gets infected: People with diabetes are at an increased risk of skin infections due to a weakened immune system and inflammation.

3. The infection may not heal well: Diabetes can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow in your feet. This slows healing.

4. Slow healing can lead to severe complications: Left untreated, infections can spread to other areas of your body and/or lead to gangrene (tissue death).

Is Diabetes a Disability?

Yes. People with diabetes of all types are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act as people with disabilities. This includes access to school, public places, the workplace, and some benefits such as Social Security and disability insurance.

Top 10 Facts about Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes Awareness Month is an annual opportunity to shed light on the different aspects of diabetes and provide life-saving information about this prevalent, life-altering condition. Type 1 diabetes is often misunderstood or overshadowed by its more common counterpart, Type 2 diabetes. This article highlights ten essential facts about Type 1 diabetes that you may not know.

1. Type 1 Diabetes is an Autoimmune Disease.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to a severe deficiency of insulin, a hormone necessary for regulating blood sugar levels.

2. It Can Develop at Any Age

While Type 2 diabetes often develops in adulthood and is associated with lifestyle factors, Type 1 diabetes can strike at any age. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in children, and its onset in kids is often sudden and unpredictable.

3. Insulin Dependence: A Lifelong Commitment

Insulin dependence is a defining feature of Type 1 diabetes. Without regular insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump, individuals with Type 1 diabetes cannot regulate their blood sugar levels effectively.

4. Management is Complex

Managing Type 1 diabetes is intricate. It requires vigilant blood sugar monitoring, insulin dosage adjustments, dietary choices, and lifestyle modifications. Innovative treatments aim to simplify these daily routines.

5. Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia

Balancing blood sugar levels can be a constant challenge for individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can lead to severe complications, including seizures, unconsciousness, and, if left untreated, coma.

6. Pioneering Research and Advances

The ongoing commitment to research and development has led to groundbreaking advances in Type 1 diabetes management. Continuous glucose monitoring systems, artificial pancreas devices, and the use of telemedicine are changing the game.

7. It's Not Caused by Diet or Lifestyle

Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which can be influenced by factors like obesity and diet. Type 1 diabetes is not related to lifestyle choices and often occurs in individuals with no family history of the disease.

8. Supportive Community

Type 1 diabetes can be isolating, but there is a strong and supportive community of individuals and families who face the same challenges. Diabetes Awareness Month is a time to connect, share experiences, and encourage one another.

9. Education is Crucial

Education and awareness are critical to understanding the complexities of Type 1 diabetes. Schools, workplaces, and communities should foster environments that accommodate the unique needs of individuals with Type 1 diabetes.

10. Hope for the Future

Ongoing research into the causes of Type 1 diabetes, potential cures, and improved treatments continue to progress. Supporting organizations and research initiatives is vital in the quest for a world without Type 1 diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

There are several types of diabetes. The most common forms include:

1. Type 2 diabetes: With this type, your body doesn’t make enough insulin, and/or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin (insulin resistance). This is the most common type of diabetes. It mainly affects adults, but children can have it as well.

2. Prediabetes: This type is the stage before Type 2 diabetes. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be officially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

3. Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas for unknown reasons. Up to 10% of people who have diabetes have Type 1. It’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can develop at any age.

4. Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some people during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Other types of diabetes include:

1. Type 3c diabetes: This form of diabetes happens when your pancreas experiences damage (other than autoimmune damage), which affects its ability to produce insulin. Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and hemochromatosis can all lead to pancreas damage that causes diabetes. Having your pancreas removed (pancreatectomy) also results in Type 3c.

2. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): Like Type 1 diabetes, LADA also results from an autoimmune reaction, but it develops much more slowly than Type 1. People diagnosed with LADA are usually over the age of 30.

3. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): MODY, also called monogenic diabetes, happens due to an inherited genetic mutation that affects how your body makes and uses insulin. There are currently over 10 different types of MODY. It affects up to 5% of people with diabetes and commonly runs in families.

4. Neonatal diabetes: This is a rare form of diabetes that occurs within the first six months of life. It’s also a form of monogenic diabetes. About 50% of babies with neonatal diabetes have the lifelong form called permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. For the other half, the condition disappears within a few months from onset, but it can come back later in life. This is called transient neonatal diabetes mellitus.

5. Brittle diabetes: Brittle diabetes is a form of Type 1 diabetes that’s marked by frequent and severe episodes of high and low blood sugar levels. This instability often leads to hospitalization. In rare cases, a pancreas transplant may be necessary to permanently treat brittle diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:

1. Feeling more thirsty than usual.

2. Urinating often.

3. Losing weight without trying.

4. Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin.

5. Feeling tired and weak.

6. Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.

7. Having blurry vision.

8. Having slow-healing sores.

9. Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections.

Causes of Diabetes

Too much glucose circulating in your bloodstream causes diabetes, regardless of the type. However, the reason why your blood glucose levels are high differs depending on the type of diabetes. Causes of diabetes include:

1. Insulin resistance: Type 2 diabetes mainly results from insulin resistance. Insulin resistance happens when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond as they should to insulin. Several factors and conditions contribute to varying degrees of insulin resistance, including obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, hormonal imbalances, genetics, and certain medications.

2. Autoimmune disease: Type 1 diabetes and LADA happen when your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.

3. Hormonal imbalances: During pregnancy, the placenta releases hormones that cause insulin resistance. You may develop gestational diabetes if your pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome the insulin resistance. Other hormone-related conditions like acromegaly and Cushing syndrome can also cause Type 2 diabetes.

4. Pancreatic damage: Physical damage to your pancreas — from a condition, surgery, or injury — can impact its ability to make insulin, resulting in Type 3c diabetes.

5. Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations can cause MODY and neonatal diabetes.

Long-term use of certain medications can also lead to Type 2 diabetes, including HIV/AIDS medications and corticosteroids.

Complications of Diabetes

Long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually. The longer you have diabetes — and the less controlled your blood sugar — the higher the risk of complications. Eventually, diabetes complications may be disabling or even life-threatening. Prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes. Possible complications include:

1. Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Diabetes majorly increases the risk of many heart problems. These can include coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis). If you have diabetes, you're more likely to have heart disease or stroke.

2. Nerve damage from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Too much sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning, or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Damage to the nerves related to digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. For men, it may lead to erectile dysfunction.

3. Kidney damage from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). The kidneys hold millions of tiny blood vessel clusters (glomeruli) that filter waste from the blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system.

4. Eye damage from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the eye. This could lead to blindness.

5. Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of many foot complications.

6. Skin and mouth conditions. Diabetes may leave you more prone to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections.

7. Hearing impairment. Hearing problems are more common in people with diabetes.

Alzheimer's disease. Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.

8. Depression related to diabetes. Depression symptoms are common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

10 Reasons to See a Diabetes Specialist

Here are 10 reasons why you might want to see a diabetes specialist:

1) Your doctor recommends you have an evaluation with a specialist.

After you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may recommend you see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis and make sure you know your options for managing the disease.

2) Your primary care physician has not treated many diabetes patients.

If your doctor has not treated many patients with diabetes or you are unsure about their treatment, you can choose to see a specialist.

3) You are having problems communicating with your doctor.

If you feel your doctor is not listening to you or understanding your symptoms, you could see a specialist who will focus primarily on your diabetes.

4) You cannot find the right educational material to help you.

Treatment for diabetes starts with learning to manage your diabetes. If you can’t find the right information to help you manage your diabetes, you might want to see a diabetes care team to receive diabetes education.

5) You are having complications or difficulty managing your diabetes.

You should see a specialist if you have developed complications. Diabetes typically causes problems with the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. In addition, it can cause deformity and open sores on the feet. Diabetes complications only get worse with time and can cause you to miss out on quality of life. In addition, you should see a specialist if you are having frequent low blood sugars (hypoglycemia) or have ever had severe low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis.

6) Conventional treatment does not work.

Your primary care doctor may be doing the best they can, but the standard treatment options don’t always work for everyone. Endocrinologists and diabetes care teams use a wide range of treatments to help you with difficult-to-control diabetes.

7) You want to know about the latest research or treatment options.

Endocrinologists and specialty centers, like the Utah Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, are the key places where research takes place. A specialist will be aware of the latest research or treatment options.

8) You want to participate in research.

If you are interested in contributing to diabetes research, you may want to contact a specialist to learn more about ongoing research studies.

9) You take three or more injections a day or use an insulin pump.

The more complex your diabetes treatments become, the harder they are to manage. Seeing a specialist will ensure you are receiving the best recommendations for managing your treatment.

10) You need a care team including diabetes nurse educators, nutritionists, and possibly other specialists.

Just receiving a diagnosis and learning about diabetes often is not enough to help you manage your disease. Seeing a specialist will connect you with an entire diabetes care team whose members—nurse practitioner, dietician, pharmacist, educator, and exercise physiologist—bring unique areas of expertise to help individualize your care according to your specific needs.

How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. But the healthy lifestyle choices that help treat prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes can also help prevent them:

1. Eat healthy foods. Choose foods lower in fat and calories and higher in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eat a variety to keep from feeling bored.

2. Get more physical activity. Try to get about 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity on most days of the week. Or aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. For example, take a brisk daily walk. If you can't fit in a long workout, break it up into smaller sessions throughout the day.

3. Lose excess pounds. If you're overweight, losing even 7% of your body weight can lower the risk of diabetes. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms), losing 14 pounds (6.4 kilograms) can lower the risk of diabetes. But don't try to lose weight during pregnancy. Talk to your provider about how much weight is healthy for you to gain during pregnancy. To keep your weight in a healthy range, work on long-term changes to your eating and exercise habits. Remember the benefits of losing weight, such as a healthier heart, more energy, and higher self-esteem.

Sometimes drugs are an option. Oral diabetes drugs such as metformin may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. But healthy lifestyle choices are important. If you have prediabetes, have your blood sugar checked at least once a year to make sure you haven't developed type 2 diabetes.

 

Best Foods for People with Diabetes

The best foods to eat regularly for blood sugar control are ones rich in fiber and protein, along with some fruit and plenty of colorful veggies. Healthy options to consider when thinking about diabetes meal planning include:

1. Leafy greens, including spinach, collard greens, spring mix and cabbage

2. Broccoli, carrots and cauliflower

3. Beans and whole grains, including chickpeas, peas, red lentils, oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice

4. Proteins such as tuna, salmon, chicken (white and dark meat), and Greek yogurt (look for brands that have less than 10 grams of added sugar)

5. Nuts and seeds, including walnuts, cashews, peanuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds

Overall, the best way to control your blood sugar is to have balanced meals. This means having a good protein source at every meal — even breakfast! — and including some type of vegetable with both lunch and dinner. It also means choosing healthy snacks between meals — of which nuts are a great choice since they're packed with nutrition and very low in carbohydrates.

13 Foods to Avoid if You Have Diabetes

Several foods can be a part of a diabetes-friendly diet, and you don’t necessarily need to follow a strict meal plan. However, certain foods should be avoided—or at least limited—when living with diabetes. To help you make healthier choices, here are 13 foods to avoid with diabetes.

1. Full-fat Dairy

Full-fat dairy products include rich cheese, cream, and whole milk. While these are okay to consume in moderation, they often have a high percentage of saturated fat. Consuming too much saturated fat can increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, further increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, some studies suggest that saturated fat may be linked to increased insulin resistance over time, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Any behaviors that negatively impact insulin resistance should be avoided to reduce the degree of medication dependency. Instead of full-fat dairy options, take the time to learn how to read your nutritional labels and choose healthier alternatives. Just make sure you don’t choose an option that has added sugar to replace the lost fat. 

2. Trans Fat

Trans fat is another food to avoid if you have diabetes. Like saturated fats, trans fats have been linked to insulin resistance and increased levels of bad cholesterol. Trans fat can also lead to weight gain, which further intensifies the seriousness of diabetes. Finally, trans fat has been shown to have an inflammatory effect, which can increase your risk of diabetes-related complications. Due to its effect on blood vessels, trans fat can contribute to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

3. White Carbohydrates

White carbohydrates, commonly called “simple” carbs, have almost no nutritional value. These refined carbs have had the fiber removed, which makes them easier to break down in the body. While this might sound promising, the fast breakdown can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels without giving your body any benefits. Carb counting can help you manage your blood glucose levels, but white carbohydrates are a food to avoid with diabetes. Instead, incorporate whole grains into your diet, which take longer to break down, provide long-lasting energy, and have a smaller impact on blood sugar. 

4. Fried Foods

Fried foods are cooked in huge amounts of oil. This oil is almost entirely made up of saturated fat, which we already know is bad for diabetes management. Unfortunately, the process of deep frying anything can also reduce its nutritional value and lead to empty calories. Depending on the type of fried food you’re eating (i.e., French fries), you may also be consuming excessive amounts of sodium. While a few bites here and there aren’t going to derail your blood glucose levels, it's best to limit or avoid fried food with diabetes.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol negatively impacts diabetes. While you can still drink occasionally, you should only drink in moderation. You should also avoid having so many drinks that you can’t properly manage your diabetes, and remember that you can still have a great time without alcohol. If you struggle to control your drinking, talk to your doctor about seeking professional help. 

6. Processed Meats

Processed meats are a type of meat that has added preservatives to increase their longevity. These tend to include things like hot dogs, bacon, deli meats, and sausages. Although convenient, processed meats are generally extremely high in sodium, which can increase blood pressure. Since diabetes raises your risk of heart disease, sodium should be controlled to further reduce your risk. Processed meats are also low in nutrients yet calorically dense, making them what many people refer to as “empty calories.” They don’t offer direct health benefits, so it’s best to avoid them.

7. High-Fat Cuts of Meat

Additionally, meats with higher fat content should be avoided with diabetes. This includes pork or beef ribs, beef brisket, and different types of steak. Red meat is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer, which is already problematic for individuals with diabetes. Instead, try to eat primarily lean proteins or at least lower-fat cuts of red meat such as sirloin steak.

8. Packaged Cookies and Pastries

Foods that come in packages are highly processed and have a ton of additives in them. This is especially true for packaged cakes, cookies, and other pastries. While these foods tend to have high-fat content, they also use primarily simple carbohydrates. Unfortunately, simple carbohydrates can cause rapid, dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels. If you’re craving a cookie or pastry when living with diabetes, finding a diabetes-friendly recipe online is best. To help you satisfy your sweet tooth, check out these diabetes-friendly desserts.

9. High Sodium Foods

Sodium doesn’t directly affect blood sugar levels, but it can increase blood pressure. When living with diabetes, can increase your risk for several diabetes-related complications. Therefore, it’s best to try and avoid high-sodium foods when living with diabetes. You should also schedule regular doctor’s appointments to monitor your blood pressure and ensure that you’re doing what you can to minimize unnecessary risks.

10. Certain Breakfast Cereals

Not all breakfast cereals are created equal. Some are truly healthy and offer a ton of morning fiber, but others have nothing but sugar and refined carbs in their contents. If you look at the nutritional label for some of your favorite childhood cereals, you’ll likely find that sugar is the second or third ingredient. This is not good for diabetes management. When you begin your morning with tons of added sugar, you’ll start your day with elevated insulin levels and a spike in blood sugar. This can increase your reliance on medications and set you up for a day of highs and lows. Plus, consuming too much sugar can increase your risk of obesity, which further negatively impacts diabetes management.

11. Dried Fruits

While dried fruits might sound healthy, they should be avoided with diabetes. Dried fruit tends to have all the sugar of a full piece of fruit, but they’re in bite-size pieces. This makes it easy to quickly eat the same amount of sugar that’s in a few pieces of fruit without even thinking about it. Instead, stick to fresh fruits that help you satisfy your sweet tooth and give you plenty of fiber.

12. Foods with Added Sugar

While sugar doesn’t directly cause type 2 diabetes, it can create dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, several products have hidden sugar added to enhance flavors. Always take the time to read the nutrition labels and try to avoid foods with added sugar. This includes things like fruit juices, fat-free alternatives, and anything processed. You’d be surprised to learn how many packaged things are filled with added sugar.

13. Soda and Energy Drinks

Finally, almost all types of soda or energy drinks will have sugar in them. While some “diet” drinks may use sugar alternatives, these aren’t necessarily safer than natural sugars. It’s best to avoid these foods with diabetes and instead stick to flavored seltzer water or water infused with fresh herbs and citrus.

Healthiest Fruits for Diabetics

All fruits have vitamins, phytochemicals, and other things that make them good for you. But some are more likely to lower your chances of chronic disease:

1. Blackberries. One cup of raw berries has 62 calories, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 7.6 grams of fiber.

2. Strawberries. One cup of whole strawberries has 46 calories, 11 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.

3. Tomatoes. One cup of sliced or chopped tomatoes has 32 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of fiber.

4. Oranges. One medium orange has 69 calories, 17 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.

Low-GI Fruits

The fiber in fresh fruit helps keep most of them low on the GI scale (55 or under). Examples include:

- Apples

- Oranges

- Bananas

- Mangoes

- Dates

- Pears

High-GI Fruits

A few fruits are on the higher end of the GI scale (70 or higher). These include:

- Pineapple

- Watermelon

8 Types of Fruit to Avoid If You Have Diabetes

Fruit is dietitian-approved for people with diabetes. The secret to enjoying it without blood sugar spikes is to avoid extra-sugary "fruit" impostors.

1. Sweetened Dried Fruit

While they may seem innocent, some dried fruits can be deceptively sweet. That’s because food manufacturers add white sugar after the drying process to counteract any bitterness. One-quarter cup of dried cranberries, for example, has 28 grams more sugar—the equivalent of a whopping seven teaspoons—compared to the same amount of fresh cranberries. Check the ingredients on packaged dried fruit. Skip it when sugar is listed.

2. Fruit Cocktail

It’s not the peaches, pears, grapes, pineapple, and cherries you need to be wary of—it’s the corn syrup and sugar that’s added to most versions of canned fruit salad. This added ingredient can up the sugar by 33%! To avoid the extra rush, look for those that say “No sugar added” on the label or make your high-fiber fruit salad instead.

3. Fruit Snacks

Popular with kids, these candy-like gummies come in deceivingly cute fruit shapes. Yes, they contain some real fruit in the form of puree, but it comes alongside an added glucose-spiking trio of fruit juice, corn syrup, and sugar. Another reason to avoid them: the sticky, waxy consistency makes the sugar difficult to remove from the crevices of teeth, leaving you more prone to cavities.

4. Fruit Juice

Indeed, fruit juices are often packed with good-for-you nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. But that doesn’t mean they’re a great option for people with diabetes. The reason? Fruit juice—even the “100% real juice” and “no sugar added” kinds—is missing fiber, a slow-to-digest carbohydrate that helps dull rises in blood sugar. For a truly hydrating option, try fruit-infused water instead.

5. Fruit Smoothies

Unlike real fruit, these drinks usually contain zero blood-sugar-balancing fiber. That’s because most are made with water and natural sugar pulled from fruit, not the fibrous roughage. Bottled, premade versions can be even worse because manufacturers often add extra sugar, too. To enjoy the benefits of the glucose spikes, blend a healthier smoothie at home using whole frozen or fresh fruit and sweetening with one-half of a banana (instead of juice or straight sugar).

6. Canned Pineapple

If you opt for versions packed in syrup, you’ll get a whopping 27 grams of added sugar. People with diabetes have good reason to steer clear of pineapple canned in its juice, too. The reason? Fresh pineapple has almost 10 grams less sugar and nearly five times more vitamin C, which is linked to increased insulin sensitivity.

7. Yogurt Covered Fruit

It’s surprising because yogurt is packed with good-for-you nutrients and so is fruit; however, when these two foods are put together into snack food, manufacturers add corn syrup, sugar, and palm oil. Unlike a bowl of fresh yogurt and fruit, these uber-sweet treats can cause unnecessary rises in blood glucose, plus be a source of saturated fat which is linked to increases in cardiovascular disease.

8. Frozen Fruit

Plucking bags of perfectly ripened fruit from the freezer aisle to make frozen fruit recipes can be a great idea. Unlike fresh fruit, it’s harvested at peak season and flash frozen, which means it maintains maximum nutrients. However, some manufacturers add extra sugar to the mix before freezing, so double-check the label. Then choose a brand where fruit is the only ingredient.

How Diabetes is Diagnosed

Tests for type 1 and type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are:

1. A1C test. This blood test, which doesn't require not eating for some time (fasting), shows your average blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months. It measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. It's also called a glycated hemoglobin test. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests means that you have diabetes. An A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% means that you have prediabetes. Below 5.7% is considered normal.

2. Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. No matter when you last ate, a blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) — or higher suggests diabetes.

3. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after you haven't eaten anything the night before (fast). A fasting blood sugar level of less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.

4. Glucose tolerance test. For this test, you fast overnight. Then, the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then you drink a sugary liquid, and blood sugar levels are tested regularly for the next two hours. A blood sugar level of less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours means you have diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) means you have prediabetes.

If your provider thinks you may have type 1 diabetes, they may test your urine to look for the presence of ketones. Ketones are a byproduct produced when muscle and fat are used for energy. Your provider will also probably run a test to see if you have the destructive immune system cells associated with type 1 diabetes called autoantibodies.

Your provider will likely see if you're at high risk for gestational diabetes early in your pregnancy. If you're at high risk, your provider may test for diabetes at your first prenatal visit. If you're at average risk, you'll probably be screened sometime during your second trimester.

10 Tips for Finding an Endocrinologist Near Me

Whether you were just diagnosed with diabetes, recently moved, or are ready for a change, selecting an endocrinologist for diabetes is important to keeping your diabetes management on track. The relationship you have with them can make a big difference in not just your quarterly visits but also your day-to-day diabetes management and long-term health. 

So how do you find an endocrinologist for diabetes? Not just anyone — but one who gets you, can help you achieve your goals, and live well with diabetes? Check out this list for some tips.

1. Ask for recommendations

Ask family, friends, your community, or one of your other physicians for a recommendation. Be sure to ask why they like this particular endocrinologist. This will help you understand why they would be a good fit for you. You can also reach out to your local JDRF or ADA chapter to see if they offer a list of highly recommended endocrinologists for diabetes in your area.

2. Visit the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) Website

On the AACE’s Find an Endocrinologist website, you can search for an endocrinologist in your area by location, area of interest, or both.

3. Determine which doctors are in-network

Most health insurance plans have negotiated contracts with doctors and hospitals in your area, so going to them means you’ll pay less out of pocket. You can find a list of your in-network doctors by calling the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Once you know which doctors are in your network, you can select from that list to find an endocrinologist for diabetes.

4. Do your research

Once you have some names, do some research online to learn more about their expertise, affiliations, and practice. While online patient reviews can be helpful, keep in mind everyone has different needs and personalities. An endocrinologist who’s a good fit for one patient may not be a good fit for another.

5. Check their credentials

Find out where your ideal endocrinologist candidate went to medical school and completed their fellowship program, if they’re board-certified, and their specialization. Make sure the endocrinologist has a particular interest in diabetes.

6. Visit the endocrinologist for diabetes

How friendly, helpful, and informative were the endocrinologist and their staff? You should feel comfortable in their office and feel like you can trust them. The ability for the two of you to communicate well is important for establishing a productive, long-term relationship.

7. Ask questions and observe

Write down questions ahead of time to ask prospective physicians. For example, what is their philosophy on weight management, glucose control, and diabetes technology? If you use or are interested in using an insulin pump and CGM, are they familiar with these tools? What about diabetes management apps? A good endocrinologist for diabetes will have answers to these questions.  Also feel free to ask about appointment occurrence/scheduling, refill policy, and doctor/patient communication in between office visits. Observe the office staff's behavior regarding answering phones, wait times, and manners.

8. Bring the right information to appointments

Prepare for your appointments so your doctor can better help you meet your goals. Bring your recent log books, reports, diet and activity history, pertinent medical information, or any information on a new type of therapy you’re interested in learning more about.

9. Think about logistics

Do you want a physician close to home or your office? What are their office hours and will you need to take time off work for a doctor’s appointment? How important is it that you find someone who can easily fit into your schedule? After all, it’s no use finding your ideal endocrinologist for diabetes if your schedules don’t match up and you can’t see them.

10. Don’t be afraid to switch

 Remember, this is your diabetes and no one else’s. If for any reason — and at any time — you’re not comfortable with the endocrinologist, practice, staff, or the way they manage your health, you have every right to switch.

Sources:

WHO

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

NIH

JDRF

Medschool UCLA

ADA

WebMD

Houston Methodist

Taste of Home

Byram Healthcare

Advent Health

Medtronic Diabetes

Utah Healthcare