Frequently asked questions

There are many factors which can affect your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Finding out your risk only takes a few minutes. It could be the most important thing you do today.

Before you start, grab a tape measure and scales, click on the link below:

https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start

Attending Diabetes and You gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the specialist team in diabetes.  You are also given information and a handbook on how to manage diabetes.  It is delivered by a Diabetes Nurses, Dietitian and Podiatrist.

A hypo [hypoglycaemia] is a low blood glucose [sugar] level.  Not everyone is at risk of hypos, it depends on you type of Diabetes and you medication.  Ask at the Diabetes and You session or your health professional to find out if you are at risk!

Get booked onto the ‘Diabetes and You’ sessions and find out everything you need to know!

Diabetes is a serious life-long health condition that occurs when the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly. If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can cause serious health complications.

Not everyone is at risk of hypos, it depends on you type of Diabetes and you medication.  Ask at the Diabetes and You session or your health professional to find out.

There's no need to throw away your favourite recipes and cookbooks just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes – following a healthy eating plan need not involve mastering a whole new collection of recipes.

Find out about more cooking and diabetes, or browse our recipe database for some tasty ideas.

Carbohydrates are still safe to have, and we do not recommend cutting them out. The most important thing about diabetes is having them in the recommended portion sizes, and picking high fibre versions when you can. Carbohydrates are only an issue when we over-eat them.

Having diabetes does not mean you need to eat a sugar-free diet. Sugar can be used in foods and in baking as part of a healthy diet. However, use sugar-free, no added sugar or diet squashes and fizzy drinks, as sugary drinks cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly.

Find out more about sugar, sweeteners and diabetes.

There is no need to give up alcohol just because you have diabetes. Guidelines ( in line with the rest of the population) are a daily recommendation of one unit for women and two units for men.

Find out more about alcohol and diabetes.

Fruit is a healthy choice because it is full of vitamins or minerals, however it also has natural sugar (called fructose). You are still allowed to have it in moderation; we advise roughly three portions a day at most)

All sweeteners sold in the U.K. have gone under intense safety testing by the European Union and are deemed safe to use. They are sugar free and a great lower calorie alternative to table sugar.

Of course you can eat out when you have diabetes, we just recommend that you try to make healthier options when you can, for example, pick a dish with extra vegetables and order a jacket potato to an alternative to chips.

Any activity or movement is beneficial for diabetes control, regardless if it is in a gym or not. Walking, housework, dancing and all other movement counts as activity.

You can still have higher sugar foods if you have diabetes, however we advise everyone to pick lower sugar options where possible. You can still have treats now and then, it’s just important to watch how much you are having and how often. You can use food labels to pick a lower sugar alternative. Remember it’s the “total carbohydrate” content that is most important, not just the sugar content.

Yes, if you are diagnosed with diabetes you are entitled to free prescriptions, you will need to complete a FP92A form which you can get from your GP who will then sign and send it off for you.

People with diabetes are entitled to free NHS sight tests.