There are two main types of diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease than prevents the hormone insulin from being released from the pancreas, resulting in high blood glucose levels. This can be managed effectively through a combination of insulin, healthy eating and physical activity.

Type 2 Diabetes can be caused by obesity, unhealthy eating, smoking and physical inactivity. These factors cause raised blood glucose levels, resulting in a reduced sensitivity to insulin and consistently high blood glucose levels. Losing weight, stopping smoking and eating a healthier diet can prevent complications, reduce the need for medication and, in some cases, allow for remission.

Diabetes can also occur during pregnancy (known as gestational diabetes), so it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

There is no one type of nutritional or physical activity programme that’s right for managing any type of diabetes, but eating well and staying active is important and we’re here to support you. Click the button below to make an online self-referral.

Know your risk…

Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes? It only takes a few minutes to find out thanks to Diabetes UK’s free online Know Your Risk calculator.

Healthy eating resources

Along with physical activity, healthy eating is important when it comes to preventing or managing diabetes – but with so much information and advice out there, it’s easy to get confused.

That’s why we’ve developed a range of helpful healthy eating guides that cut through the noise and give you the facts about how what we eat and drink affects our bodies.

These resources cover a wide range of topics, from understanding carbs, protein and other nutrients, to meal planning, food labels and managing hunger.

Click below to browse our downloadable guides. You can also find physical copies at your local Wigan Borough library.