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    Eat Healthy

    Having diabetes doesn't mean you will need to give up enjoyable and delicious food. With a little meal planning, you can find foods you love that will also help you control your blood sugar. If you sometimes crave foods that aren't in your eating plan, try the Craving Converter™, which will suggest healthy (and tasty) alternatives for you.

    Work with your doctor, registered dietitian, or certified diabetes educator to develop a personal meal plan. The Shopping List (PDF Format) will help make your grocery shopping easier - just print it and go!

    Guide to better fast-food choices

    Sometimes you have to eat on the go. Make smart choices and balance your meals out with healthy meals at home. Here's some food for thought next time you're out and about:

    • Eat moderate amounts while limiting fat and salt. It's easy to eat an entire day's worth of fat, salt and calories in just one fast-food meal. But it's also easy to make good choices and enjoy a fairly healthy meal.
    • When ordering from the menu, stay away from items that are "jumbo," "giant," "deluxe," or "super-sized," since these items tend to have more calories.
    • Choose grilled or broiled sandwiches with lean meats such as turkey or chicken breast. Avoid toppings such as mayonnaise, and add flavor with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
    • Ordering a salad can be a good choice, but watch out for high-fat toppings like dressings, bacon bits, cheeses, and croutons.
    • Stick to soft tacos and other non-fried items when eating Mexican fast food. Choose chicken over beef.
    • Feel free to pile on extra lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa, but go easy on cheese, sour cream, and refried beans.
    • Choose the thin-crust pizza with vegetable toppings and limit your portion to 1-2 slices.
    • Leave off the meat and extra cheese, since they add calories, fat, and sodium.

    A food plan to go

    For better options on the run, consider:

    • Grilled chicken
    • Whole wheat rolls or bread
    • Fruit or cottage cheese
    • Salad with dressing on the side or fat-free
    • Single hamburger, regular or children's size
    • Low-fat deli sandwiches on wheat or pita bread
    • Wrap or whole wheat tortilla (no dressing)
    • Fat-free/low-fat milk or water
    • Low-fat or sugar-free frozen yogurt

    And stay away from:

    • All-you-can-eat buffets
    • Fries and onion rings
    • Super-sizing

    7 ways to make better choices

    1. Trade a high-fat food for a low-fat choice every week.
    2. Make your meal look bigger by serving it on a salad or dessert plate.
    3. Package half of your restaurant meal "to go" before you start eating.
    4. Curb your appetite by drinking a glass of water 10 minutes before each meal.
    5. Still hungry right after a meal? Wait 20 minutes-it takes that long for your brain to know your stomach is full.
    6. People tend to eat more in front of the TV. Turn off the set and try listening to music during your meal.
    7. If you need extra help creating a meal plan you can stay with, visit a registered dietitian or a certified diabetes educator.



    Please see important safety information below for AVANDIA, AVANDAMET and AVANDARYL, including who should not take AVANDIA, AVANDAMET or AVANDARYL. See also link to Medication Guides for AVANDIA, AVANDAMET and AVANDARYL.

    AVANDIA (rosiglitazone maleate)

    Prescription AVANDIA, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Taking AVANDIA with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

    AVANDIA can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart) you cannot be started on AVANDIA. AVANDIA is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe.

    AVANDIA may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

    If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDIA, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

    Before taking AVANDIA, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

    • Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
    • Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
    • Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
    • Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
    • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

    Women taking AVANDIA should know that AVANDIA may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDIA. Other possible side effects of AVANDIA include anemia and hypoglycemia. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDIA and during treatment as needed.

    For more information about AVANDIA, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDIA, please see full Prescribing Information.

    AVANDAMET (rosiglitazone maleate/metformin HCl)

    Prescription AVANDAMET, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl. Taking AVANDAMET with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

    AVANDAMET can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on AVANDAMET. AVANDAMET is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling), even if these symptoms are not severe.

    Rosiglitazone, one of the medicines in AVANDAMET, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

    If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDAMET, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

    A small number of people who have taken metformin, another medicine in AVANDAMET, have developed a rare yet serious condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood) that can cause death. You have a higher chance of getting lactic acidosis if you have kidney problems; have liver problems; drink alcohol very often or excessively; get dehydrated, as when you are sick with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea; or you are going to have surgery. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems before or while taking AVANDAMET. You should not take AVANDAMET if you have kidney problems or metabolic acidosis. Tests should be used to check your kidneys and liver before and while taking AVANDAMET. If you are taking medicines for heart failure, you may be at increased risk of lactic acidosis.

    Call your doctor right away if you feel any of the following, which may be signs of lactic acidosis: very weak or tired; you have unusual (not normal) muscle pain; you have stomach pains; you have trouble breathing; you feel dizzy or lightheaded; or you have a slow or irregular heartbeat.

    Before taking AVANDAMET, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

    • Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
    • Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
    • Have kidney problems.
    • Are going to have dye injected into a vein for an X-ray, CAT scan, heart study, or other type of scanning.
    • Drink a lot of alcohol.
    • Develop a serious condition such as a heart attack, severe infection, or a stroke.
    • Are 80 years of age or older.
    • Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
    • Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
    • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

    Women taking AVANDAMET should know that AVANDAMET may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDAMET. Other possible side effects of AVANDAMET include anemia, hypoglycemia, diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDAMET and during treatment as needed.

    For more information about AVANDAMET, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDAMET, please see full Prescribing Information.

    AVANDARYL (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride)

    Prescription AVANDARYL, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. AVANDARYL is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride. Taking rosiglitazone with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended.

    AVANDARYL can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on AVANDARYL. AVANDARYL is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling), even if these symptoms are not severe.

    Rosiglitazone, one of the medicines in AVANDARYL, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

    If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDARYL, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

    AVANDARYL may cause low blood sugar. Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness or hunger may mean that your blood sugar is too low. If you have kidney problems, you may need a lower dose of AVANDARYL to reduce problems with low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor if low blood sugar is a problem for you.

    Before taking AVANDARYL, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

    • Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
    • Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
    • Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
    • Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
    • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

    Women taking AVANDARYL should know that AVANDARYL may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDARYL. Another possible side effect of AVANDARYL is anemia. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDARYL and during treatment as needed.

    For more information about AVANDARYL, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDARYL, please see full Prescribing Information.