What you eat has a greater impact on your blood sugar than anything else you do.

Whether you have diabetes or not, most of the food you eat is turned into sugar in order to fuel your body. That sugar moves through your bloodstream, providing energy to all of your cells—from your brain to your muscles.

Without insulin to unlock those cells and let the blood sugar in, your systems don't get the nourishment they need, and excess sugar stays in the bloodstream.

Think about it—when you eat, you're putting fuel into your body. That's why after you eat your blood sugar is higher than before. And why many people need to use insulin near mealtimes—to get the blood sugar out of the bloodstream and into the cells where it can do its job. 

Carbohydrates

Found in breads, fruits, starchy vegetables, and dairy foods, carbohydrates are our main source of energy. Whether carbohydrates come from rice, cereal, plain sugar, or any other source, they're eventually broken down into glucose, the type of sugar our bodies use as fuel.

Protein helps your body's cells grow and repair themselves. You'll find it in meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Very little protein is converted to blood sugar, but that doesn't make it a free food. Lean protein should be eaten in balance with other foods, to limit the amount of cholesterol in your diet

Fat

Fat is a necessary part of any diet, but we need only small amounts of it each day to remain healthy. While fat won't affect your blood sugar directly, too much fat gets stored as excess calories and weight. So try to limit all unnecessary fat, especially saturated and trans fats, which are especially unhealthy. 

Fiber

Fiber is a carbohydrate that isn't digested by the body. It's often found in unprocessed or "whole" grains, beans, and vegetables. Fiber is important for your heart and digestive health. It can also aid in losing weight, because it slows the digestion of certain carbohydrates, helping you feel more satisfied for longer after eating.

Vitamins and Minerals

Don't forget the important role fruits and vegetables play in providing a variety of key nutrients. These provide a long list of benefits, from strengthening our immune systems to promoting healthy eyes, skin, and more.