Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

TREATMENT MODALITIES: LIFESTYLE| 5-35

Extras

<5 g carbohydrate†

<20 (90)

Beyond the Basics Subcommittee, Canadian Diabetes Association, September 2005 (142) * This reflects the “Choose more often” foods † Less than 5 g carbohydrate considered free

• The Glycemic Index (66) • Basic Carbohydrate Counting for Diabetes Management (143)

• Eating Away from Home (144) • Cholesterol and Diabetes (145)

• Alcohol and Diabetes (146) • Sugars and Sweeteners (147) • Fibre and Diabetes (148) • High Blood Pressure and Diabetes (149)

These are some examples of tools that are currently being used, but many more are available. Tools, such as bingo or word searches, can be used to help patients understand concepts, such as the different food groups, how to plan meals, appropriate serving sizes and how the different food groups affect BG levels. Some tools can be used in an individual setting, and others lend themselves well to a group approach. With a little imagination, you can use limited resources to create useful tools for learning about nutrition. Food labels Nutrition labeling is mandatory on most food packages in Canada. Nutrition information on food labels can help people follow Canada’s Food Guide and help them make informed food choices. Information on nutrition labeling can be found on both Health Canada’s and Diabetes Canada’s websites (150,151).