Type 2 Diabetes Handouts & Resources

Navigating this information:

  • To search this page use "ctrl" + "f" on PC or "command + f " on Mac and type your search word. 
  • To help patients find this page easily if in your office, open this QR code (click here). Have patients hold open camera app over the QR code, touch the URL and they will be taken to this page. 

For your safety, the information in these handouts and resources should be reviewed with your healthcare provider.

Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or your body does not properly use the insulin it makes. As a result, sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy. It is controlled with lifestyle measures, and often medications, including insulin, are needed.

 

Alberta covers CGM for all AB patients on basal-bolus insulin

Patients on both basal and bolus insulin are covered for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) through Blue Cross non-group [Application form: Blue Cross Non-group coverage Application]. Coverage information for Albertans is published online in the Continuous glucose monitor coverage for Albertans Fact Sheet and Coverage Maximums for Diabetes Supplies Fact Sheet. 

  • Patients must be resident of AB, have diabetes, be on basal-bolus insulin (includes patients on pump or pre-mixed insulin)
  • Dexcom and Libre covered. 
  • A prescription is required.

 

Appointment Preparation & Uploading Device Data

 

Apps and Forgotten Passwords for Glucose Data:

  • Numerous apps are available to assist those with diabetes. These include apps from companies for specific glucose meters, sensors, insulin pumps as well as third party apps. If you've set up an account and forgotten your password, please see this resource.

 

Classes in the Calgary area (type 2 diabetes):

Resources and Handouts

 

Definitions and Diagnosis

 

Safety

 

Monitoring

  • Lab/meter comparison: Testing for accuracy of home glucose monitors requires a lab glucose test (preferably fasting) and a meter glucose test (finger poke) within 5 minutes of drawing blood for the lab. Home meter results should be within 15% of the lab results. The formula: [(lab glucose reading - meter glucose reading)/lab glucose reading] X100 = percent that meter is different from lab.
  • Food, insulin and blood sugar recording sheet (AHS)
  • Checking your blood glucose in the hospital (AHS)
  • A1c Testing (AHS)
  • To learn more about glucose sensors or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)  see CGM: The Basics (AHS). Instructional videos on how to use your CGM device are listed on our Videos page. If you use CGM, your educator might recommend that you make adjustments based on trend arrows. If so, please contact your educator for details.
    • See above (Alberta covers CGM for all AB patients on basal-bolus insulin) for details on Blue Cross coverage.
  • Your blood sugar log-Fillable PDF (AHS): English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Urdu, Tigrinya, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese

 

Management

 

Nutrition

  • Healthy Eating for Diabetes
  • Diabetes: Healthy Meal Planning (for more information about carb content of foods)
  • Nutrition education materials (AHS) - click on Diabetes to find publicly available handouts
  • Glycemic Index (Diabetes Canada)
  • Matching insulin to carbohydrate (AHS) (for certain people using rapid insulin)
  • Carbohydrate Counting Resources (for certain people using rapid insulin)
    • Your diabetes team will help you decide how to match insulin to carbohydrate. This usually includes counting grams of carbohydrate. Resources:
      • Labels: Subtract the grams of fibre from the grams of carbohydrate for the portion on the label.
      • Restaurant websites: Many fast food and other restaurants have nutrient analysis posted online for their products.
      • Diabetes Canada "Beyond the Basics" Tool. Talk to your dietitian as the full tool is not available online.
      • Nutrient Analysis Apps: Visit your smart phone's app store.  Popular Apps include Calorie King and MyFitnessPal. This doesn’t imply an endorsement, or any guarantee of accuracy or ease of use. You may want to search Appcrawlr for reviews. 
      • General carbohydrate estimates. One carbohydrate choice contains 15 grams of carbohydrate (after the fibre is subtracted). Each of the following is one carbohydrate choice: 1 slice of bread or 1/2 cup (125 mL) cooked pasta/potato/other starch; 1 medium piece of fruit; 1 cup (250 mL) of milk; 1 tbsp (15 mL) of sugar, jam or honey. A general guideline for the number of carbohydrate choices to eat per meal is 2-4 for most women and 4-6 for most men. For snacks: 0-1 for women and 0-2 carb choices for men.
      • Nutrient Analysis Websites: Canadian Nutrient File (for download), Self Nutrition Data, Calorie King 
  • Alcohol and Diabetes (Diabetes Canada)

 

Physical Activity

 

Diabetes in Pregnancy

 

Insulin Pump Therapy Handouts and Pump Reps

 

Travel and Diabetes

 

Additional Resources

 

Research Studies

If you are interested in being part of any diabetes research studies please visit the University of Calgary's Clinical Trials Unit website for opportunities: https://www.ucalgary.ca/diabetes-clinical-trials.

  • If you have type 2 diabetes and BMI over 25: You may qualify for the TRANSCEND-T2D trial: patients are randomly assigned to receive 1 of 2 study medications. All study participants receive active medication.