Healthy eating and physical activity are a very important part of managing blood sugar levels and maintaining your health while managing diabetes. These resources can help you manage your diabetes and feel your best.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes, your body is not making enough insulin and/or your body cannot use insulin properly. This can lead to high blood glucose (sugar) levels and can be harmful to your health. Learn more about how you can help manage diabetes through healthy eating and lifestyle choices.

Healthy Eating for Diabetes

• Diabetes Canada: Just the Basics
• Diabetes Canada: Just the Basics South Asian
• Diabetes Canada: Just the Basics Aboriginal
• Diabetes: Coping With Your Feelings About Your Diet
• Healthy Eating for Diabetes - Adapted for Punjabi Diet
• Eating Out When You Have Diabetes
• Quick Tips: Smart Snacking When You Have Diabetes
• Quick-Sugar Foods
• Reading Food Labels When You Have Diabetes

Meal Planning

• Diabetes Canada: 7 day healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: 7 day vegetarian healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: 7 day vegan healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: 7 day low-carbohydrate healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: 7 day gluten-free healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: 7 day dairy-free healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: 7 day Chinese healthy meal plan
• Diabetes Canada: Recipes

Glycemic Index

• Diabetes Canada: Glycemic Index Food Guide
• Diabetes: Eating Low-Glycemic Foods

Carbohydrates

• Diabetes: Counting Carbs if You Don't Use Insulin
• Diabetes Canada: Basic carbohydrate counting for diabetes management
• Healthy Carbohydrates for Diabetes - Adapted for South Asian Diets

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)

Low blood glucose (sugar) can happen when diabetes medicine, food, and exercise are out of balance. Symptoms can include trembling, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, confusion, or even a loss of consciousness. Learn more about low blood glucose and tips to help keep your blood glucose levels steady.

• Diabetes Canada: Hypoglycemia low blood sugar in adults
• Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Reactive Hypoglycemia
• Sample Menu for Reactive Hypoglycemia

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes can happen during pregnancy as hormone levels in your body change. These changes affect how your body manages glucose (sugar). Learn more about healthy eating and gestational diabetes.

• Gestational Diabetes: Counting Carbs
• Healthy Eating Guidelines for Women with Gestational Diabetes
• Diabetes Canada: Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes in Children

Caring for your child with diabetes can be a balancing act. It requires careful planning of meals and ensuring they participate in safe physical activities. Learn more tips:

• Diabetes in Children: Food issues at School
• Diabetes in Children: Counting Carbs
• Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Safe Exercise

Physical Activity and Diabetes

Physical activity is an important tool in helping to prevent and manage diabetes. Learn more:

• Diabetic Neuropathy: Exercising Safely
• Prediabetes: Exercise Tips
• Tips for Exercising Safely When You Have Diabetes

Others’ Stories

Learn from others’ personal stories in this section.

• Gloria's Story: Adding Activity to Help Control Blood Sugar
• Linda's Story: Getting Active When You Have Diabetes

Useful Websites

Diabetes Canada

The Diabetes Canada website includes fact sheets, videos and other resources on nutrition physical activity, medications, diabetes research, and more. The website includes resources adapted for different cultures as well as translated resources.

To assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, take the two minute CANRISK screening test. Learn about prediabetes and diabetes prevention here. Also see Managing Weight and Diabetes.

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)

The FNHA is the health and wellness partner to over 200 diverse First Nations communities and citizens across BC.​ Visit the Healthy Living page for a list of wellness resources about healthy eating, physical activity and self care. To learn more about the services provided through FNHA, visit the eHealth and Virtual Health page.

Fraser Health Authority

Fraser Health Authority has various diabetes resources that are translated in different languages, such as Chinese, Punjabi, and Farsi.

Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)

PHSA offers the Food Skills for Families program. Program participants learn how to make healthy meals while gaining confidence in the kitchen. The program is customized to meet the needs of specific groups including indigenous peoples, seniors, newcomers to Canada and others. Learn more here.

Self-Management British Columbia

Self-Management BC offers no cost health programs for adults of all ages living with one or multiple ongoing health conditions. Some programs are available in Chinese and Punjabi. To learn more about the virtual self-management program for people with diabetes, visit selfmanagementbc.ca.