Diabetes can best be managed with the help of a multidisciplinary team. Diabetes self-management education, provided by a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, is structured around The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists’ (ADCES) seven self-care behaviors. This helps individuals with diabetes improve and manage their diabetes, while empowering them to take charge of their health.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.
Types of Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin properly. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disorder
- Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy
What is A1C?
A1C is a blood test for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. It measures your average blood glucose, or blood sugar, level over the past 3 months. Doctors may use the A1C alone or in combination with other diabetes tests to make a diagnosis. They also use the A1C to see how well you are managing your diabetes. This test is different from the blood sugar checks that people with diabetes do every day.
What Can I Eat?
Carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose, or sugar, which means these foods will cause your blood sugar to rise. People with diabetes or prediabetes need to control the amount of carbohydrates they eat at each meal. However, carbohydrates should not be completely avoided since they are the body’s preferred fuel source.
Not all carbohydrate foods affect your blood sugar levels the same way. Choosing complex carbohydrates, such as legumes, whole grains, starchy vegetables, and fruit more often than simple carbohydrates like refined grains, sweets, and soda can help you better manage your blood sugar.
An example of how your plate should look is shown below:
- 50% Nonstarchy vegetables
- 25% Protein Foods
- 25% Carb Foods
- Water or 0-Calorie Drink
Average Levels of Blood Glucose (A1C)
| Diagnosis | A1C% |
|---|---|
| Normal | Below 5.7 |
| Prediabetes | 5.7 to 6.4 |
| Diabetes | 6.5 or above |
People who already have diabetes should aim for an A1C reading <7%
ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors®
- Healthy Coping
- Monitoring
- Being Active
- Taking Medication
- Healthy Eating
- Problem Solving
- Reducing Risks
At Lone Star Circle of Care, we have a DCES who can help you navigate the ups and downs of diabetes prevention, management and risk reduction.
Schedule an in-person or virtual visit with Karissa Lucio RD, LD, DCES when you call 877-800-5722 or speak with your provider.
Interested in a live cooking class taught by Karissa herself? RSVP for the next one on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm at Lone Star Circle of Care at Collinfield! Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Blog post written by Karissa Lucio RD, LD, CDCES, Lone Star Circle of Care Registered Dietitian.
