Do You Understand Your Diabetes?

So your wife is nagging you about your diabetes. She doesn't think you take it seriously. And you don't like it when she withholds dessert and checks your breath for chocolate when you come home from work.
You know she just wants the best for you. Diabetes is now the sixth leading cause of death in this country and a major cause of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputated limbs.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Most of the complications of diabetes can be prevented by how you choose to live. And it's not just about sugar.

Quiz for Life

See how well you do on this quiz, adapted from the American Diabetes Association:

A1C is a blood test that tells your level of blood sugar (glucose) control over the past two to three, a) months; b) days; c) Thanksgivings.

If your A1C is more than 7, you need, a) less dressing and gravy; b) more exercise; c) different medicine; d) a swift kick in the pants; e) a visit with your doctor.  

If you have diabetes, your blood pressure should be, a) less than 130/80; b) checked often; c) controlled with diet, exercise and medications, if needed.

DASH is an eating plan called, a) Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension; b) Do Avoid Sodium Hikes; c) Don't Always Salt Ham.

The DASH diet includes nutrients that regulate blood pressure from, a) fruits and vegetables; b) dairy foods; c) nuts, beans and legumes, d) all of these.

Big meals cause a surge of sugar (glucose) into your blood that, a) make your wife mad at you; b) create "oxidative stress" on your blood vessels and damage your arteries; c) worsens your diabetes.

Carbohydrates are, a) the devil; b) sugars and starches in foods; c) necessary for good health; d) found in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, milk and yogurt.  

If you have diabetes, you can, a) kiss pumpkin pie goodbye; b) eat moderate amounts of carbohydrates at each meal; c) eat candy when no one is looking; d) check your blood sugar level two hours after a meal.

In terms of carbohydrates, one cup of cooked rice or pasta can be expected to raise your blood sugar levels as much as, a) three slices of bread; b) four small kiwi fruit; c) a partridge in a pear tree.

Regular exercise, a) lowers blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels; b) helps your body use its natural insulin more efficiently; c) makes you leap over tall buildings in a single bound.

If you are overweight, you can greatly improve your diabetes if you lose, a) every bit of fat on your body; b) 7 percent to 10 percent of your current weight; c) your scale.
It's your life. And you're in control. You can do it.

ANSWERS

1. B

2. A  

3. E

4. A, B, C

5. A

6. D

7. B, C

8. B, C, D

9. B, D

10. A, B

11. A, B

12. B