Dear Dietitian

Should I eat snacks between meals?

My mother has diabetes and I have recently been told I have Type 2 diabetes. My mother tells me I should be eating snacks between meals. Is this true?

Every person with diabetes should be given individual advice from a dietitian. A meal plan will be developed in discussion with you, to suit your lifestyle.

The advice given to each person will be different depending on the type of diabetes, any other medical problems, and the medication you are taking for your diabetes. The dietitian will take into account your weight and activity levels.

If you are on insulin or certain medication you may be told to have snacks inbetween meals to balance the effect of the insulin or medication. But this is not usually the case if you are managing your diabetes through healthy eating and activity.

If you have not seen a dietitian, ask your doctor to arrange this for you.

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