Learn as much as you can about diabetes.  Ask as many questions as it takes for you to feel comfortable with managing your diabetes. 

Read as much as you can to educate yourself.

Visit diabetes related websites such as those hosted by the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org/, or the National Diabetes Education Program at http://www.ndep.nih.gov/ or the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.htm.

Be your own detective!

There are two tests that are important to the overall control of diabetes; A1C and glucose testing.

A1C - is a test that indicates your overall glucose control during a 2 to 3 month period.  It should be measured when diabetes is diagnosed and at least twice a year thereafter.  If you change your care plan, start a new medicine, or have trouble meeting your goals, your healthcare provider will want to check it more often.  This test is measured as a percentage.  For people without diabetes it is usually less than 6 percent.  For those with diabetes a general goal of less than 7 percent and an individual goal to get as close to the normal range as you safely can.

Glucose Testing - checking your glucose with a monitor give you a snapshot blood glucose level at the time you check it. 

How often and when you monitor your blood glucose depends on the type of diabetes you have and the therapies you use,so follow your healthcare provider's advice.  Be sure to record your results.  This will allow you and your provider to make changes to target any patterns of high or low blood glucose that may occur. 

Follow a meal and physical activity plan.

Eating right and being physically active are two keys to controlling blood glucose even when other strategies are used. 

A dietitian can help you develop a personal meal plan that includes healthy food choices and matches the timing and size of your meals to your medicines.  In general, the best plans include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.  Spread carbohydrates through-out the day, and limit foods high is saturated and trans fat.