Like all vegetables, carrots are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are part of a healthy diet and give you the energy, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to function. All carbohydrates affect your blood sugar the same way, whether you are eating carbohydrates in bread, pasta, sugar, or vegetables. Three cups of uncooked and 1.5 cup of cooked carrots will raise your blood sugar the same as 1 slice of bread.

There really is no such thing as borderline diabetes. You either have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or no diabetes. A fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dL on more than one occasionis considered diabetes. A fasting blood sugar of 110-125 mg/dL on more than one occasion is considered pre-diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a heightened risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

We have learned recently that you can prevent diabetes at any age. In fact, losing a modest amount of weight (5-10% of your total weight), being moderately active (walking or doing other forms of exercise for 150 minutes per week) can delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

The most natural of remedies is eating a healthy diet and exercising. Medically proven information shows that both meal planning and physical activity help lower your blood sugar levels. Combining your prescribed medicines with a meal plan and physical activity is the best way to lower your levels. It is true that some herbal or other products can work against diabetes medications, raising your blood sugar. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if any of your medicines or health problems could be affected by herbal or natural remedies.

Some people who take insulin develop complications from diabetes, but the complications aren’t caused by insulin. Keeping your blood sugar near the normal range by taking a pill or using insulin, helps you live a long, healthy life. Many people believe that once you start taking insulin, you can never stop. While this used to be true, insulin on the market today is better than the past.

Some people with Type 2 diabetes are able to stop taking insulin if they lose weight, start exercising, or their physical and/or emotional stress becomes better.

Many years ago, people with diabetes were told to soak their feet every day in vinegar. We know now that soaking with vinegar and other products can make your skin dry, causing cracks in the skin where bacteria can enter.

Isn’t that “normal” for me? Not really. Your usual blood sugar isn’t the same as normal blood sugar. Just because your blood sugar is usually high or you don’t notice any symptoms, doesn’t’ necessarily mean your body isn’t affected by those levels.