The power to control diabetes is in the patient's hands By Lauren Dorman, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. Are you confused with food labels? What foods to avoid? What foods to eat? How many times a day to check your blood sugar?Why your blood sugar fluctuates? What an A1c level is? Can you drink alcohol? All of these questions and many more can be answered. If you or someone you know was just been diagnosed with diabetes, or is living with diabetes for many years, has type 1 or type 2, attending diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes is the best thing you could do for yourself. Proper nutrition is necessary and you may be surprised to hear this, but there is no such thing as a "diabetic diet." In fact, a person with diabetes can fit any food into their meal plans with guidance from a diabetes educator. Carbohydrate counting, simply put, is the key to diabetes meal planning based on the American Diabetes Association. It is crucial for patients with diabetes to understand the principles of carbohydrate counting to help control their blood sugar levels. In addition, it is important for patients to understand the disease process, necessary self-management skills, and the possible long-term complications of poorly controlled diabetes. There is not a cure for diabetes yet, but there is education,which can be the best weapon to better manage and control diabetes.The eight to 10 hours of education spent in a self management course isn't much but it will lead many patients to a better understanding of the disease, and in turn proper management. Diabetes is unpredictable and a 24-hour job each day, but if people try to do their absolute best with discipline, responsibility and motivation, they will feel better and live a healthy and happy life. Ultimately, it is up to the person with diabetes to take control and not let the disease control them.They are the most important member of their healthcare team. Lauren Dorman is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Center for Diabetes Education at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. For more information, contact Dorman at ldorman@sbhcs.com.