This document discusses diabetes and the role of sweets. It notes that simple sugars like cookies, donuts, cakes, chips, and sweetened beverages raise blood sugar quickly and should be limited by those with diabetes. Consuming too many of these foods can lead to health problems like issues with the heart, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. The document recommends balancing one's plate with 50% non-starchy vegetables, 25% whole grains and starchy vegetables, 25% protein, and limiting sweets and sweetened beverages. It further explains that diabetes is a disease where the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels, and outlines the main types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, and gestational

1. Get the SKINNY on Diabetes and Sweets
Simple sugars like
cookies, donuts,
cakes, chips, and
sweetened bever-
ages raise blood
sugar quickly. A
person with diabe-
tes should limit
these foods. Con-
sequences of high
blood sugar in-
clude heart, nerve,
eye, and kidney
problems.
A Healthy Plate:
 Includes 50% non-
starchy vegetables
 Includes 25% whole
grains and starchy
vegetables
 Includes 25% protein
 Limits sweets/
sweetened beverages
Photo source: https://simplyvegetarian777.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/diabetes-friendly-thursdays/
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot control the
amount of sugar in the blood, resulting in high blood sugar
(hyperglycemia). Sugar in the bloodstream normally goes in-
to the body’s cells so they have energy to do work, but if a
person has diabetes, the sugar cannot get into the cells due to
insulin resistance or lack of insulin. This results in high levels
of sugar in the blood, and cells that are starved for energy.
What Causes Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Genetics are in-
volved, but no one is sure exactly what happens to cause it.
Type 2 diabetes is the result of a combination of genetics,
physical inactivity, and overweight or obesity. Contrary to
popular belief, sugar does not cause diabetes. Sugar may lead
to a person becoming overweight, which is a risk factor for
diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes and in-
creased metabolic demands. Excess weight and a family his-
tory of diabetes are linked to gestational diabetes. This type
of diabetes usually goes away on its own after the pregnancy.
By Samantha Jackson, M.S., Lamar University Dietetic Intern