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Diabetes Control for Life Questions

1. What are the benefits of weight loss?
There are many benefits of weight loss, especially for people with diabetes. The benefits may include:
  • Improved blood sugar management
  • Lower blood cholesterol levels
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduction in many risks associated with diabetes, such as cardiovascular (heart) disease
  • Lower A1C levels
  • Potential reduction in the need for diabetes medication
  • Greater ability to get around
  • Improved quality of life
2. What is the best way to get started on the program?
It is easy to get started. Just complete the online assessment; then you will receive customized assessment feedback and meal and activity plans. As with any weight loss plan, be sure to talk to your health care provider before starting the program.
3. How do I know when I am ready to start the program?
The Diabetes Management Plan is designed to help you succeed. Your readiness to join and commit to the program is important to your success, whether you want to lose or maintain your weight. After you fill out the online assessment, you will receive feedback on how ready you are. If you're not ready, you will be provided with several steps you can take to become ready.
4. I want to lose weight, but I'm not ready to commit to a program. What can I do to become ready?

There are several small steps you can start taking today to help you get ready to commit to the program. Here are some steps to get you started:

  • Begin by signing up and using the Diabetes Management Plan for weight maintenance and help with blood sugar management.
  • Gather information. Learn about your diabetes and the benefits of weight management.
  • Make a list of the pros and cons of learning and practicing new habits. If the pros to change outweigh the cons to change, you're probably getting close to being ready.
  • Think about the things you're already doing to take care of yourself.
  • Consider taking small steps, such as switching from regular soda to diet soda, or parking your car a little farther from the store than you normally would.
5. Do I have to use any specific foods or products for this program?
The Diabetes Management Plan contains meal plans that include a combination of food and Glucerna® products: Glucerna Cereals, Glucerna Shakes, Glucerna Snack Shakes, Glucerna Meal Bars, Glucerna Snack Bars, and Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars.
6. Why use meal replacement products?
You may have heard this before: "Why not just use real food instead of shakes and bars to lose weight? You have to learn to eat right sometime."

It's true that to manage your weight, you must learn to eat a nutritionally balanced, calorie-controlled diet. However, when most people start a weight loss program, they want to see results. They want to take some of the guesswork out of meal planning. That's why meal replacement products are helpful. They're easy to use, convenient, and provide a set number of calories — and a good balance of other nutrients as well — per serving. They provide structure and consistency — two ingredients that promote weight loss.

Glucerna products help fill the need for a meal or snack replacement that is easy and convenient, and provides a set number of calories. But Glucerna products also provide you with the good nutrition your body needs every day — something that's hard to get when you're limiting calorie intake — and slowly digested carbohydrates to help manage blood sugar levels. Be sure to talk with your health care professional about how you can make Glucerna products part of your meal plan.
7. Do I have to use Glucerna products to follow the program?
Meal plans offer the ability to substitute other foods. However, Glucerna products are great-tasting, convenient options that help you follow this program easily and effectively. Glucerna products help make it easy to control portion size.
8. If I follow this program, how much weight can I expect to lose and how long will it take?
Generally, weight loss results vary based on your health and activity level when you start the program, and on how closely the program is followed. It is important to note that the amount of weight each person will lose differs.

Losing weight slowly, 1/2 to 2 pounds a week, is the healthiest way to lose weight and keep it off. Frequently, the first place weight loss is noticed is in how your clothes fit, not on the scale.
9. How long is the program?
The Diabetes Management Plan is a 24-week program, although the information is intended to encourage lifelong changes to your nutrition, activity, and lifestyle. As with any weight loss plan, be sure to talk to your health care professional before starting the program.
10. If I don't have diabetes, but I need to lose weight, is it OK for me to follow this program?

Glucerna products are intended for use under medical supervision by people with diabetes. People without diabetes can use the program, but should substitute other foods for the Glucerna products recommended in the program. As with any weight management plan, we recommend talking to your health care professional before starting.

11. Can I use this program if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is important for you to eat a well-balanced diet and obtain the additional nutrition your body needs for your growing baby. This program was not developed for pregnant or breast-feeding women; therefore, we do not recommend that pregnant or breast-feeding women use this program. It is important for pregnant and breast-feeding women to discuss their diet with their health care professional.
12. Can children or adolescents follow the Control Plan for Weight Loss?
It is important for children and adolescents to eat a well-balanced diet and obtain the additional nutrition their growing bodies need. The Diabetes Management Plan was not developed specifically for children and adolescents; therefore, we do not recommend that people younger than 18 years of age use this program. It is important for children always to discuss their diet with their health care professional.
13. Can I use this program if I am a vegetarian?
Yes, you can use the Diabetes Management Plan if you are a vegetarian. Glucerna products contain dairy protein; so if you do not eat dairy products, you may not want to use Glucerna products.
14. How does the program figure out my nutrition and activity plans?
This program determines your nutrition plan based on your body mass index (BMI) and activity level, which are obtained from your online assessment. Your activity plan is determined based on your current level of activity and readiness for exercise.
15. Can I use this program if I am taking medications for diabetes and/or weight loss?
Yes, you can use the Diabetes Management Plan if you are taking medications for diabetes and/or weight loss. Just be sure to discuss your use of this program with your health care professional before starting the program, and periodically during the program for any medication changes.
16. What is the calorie distribution of the meal plans?

On average, all of the meal plans are designed with 55%-58% of calories from carbohydrates, 24%-26% of calories from fat, and 20%-23% of calories from protein.  All meal plans provide at least five or more fruit and vegetable servings per day as well.


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