People's Diabetes Foundation

06/12/2026

The conversation can't stop at ci******es.

As va**ng and other ni****ne products become more common among young people, it's important to consider their impact on long-term health, not just addiction.

To***co use remains a well-established risk factor for type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of prevention and awareness from an early age.

To***co affects more than lung and heart health.
This World No To***co Day, it is also important to recognise the link between to***co use and diabetes risk and complications.

Evidence shows that:
➡️ People who smoke are 30–40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers.
➡️ Smoking can increase HbA1c levels, affecting glucose management over time.
➡️ Ni****ne can interfere with insulin action, causing insulin resistance.
➡️ Smoking is associated with inflammation and abdominal fat- both important risk factors for type 2 diabetes

As newer ni****ne products continue to be marketed to younger populations, the conversation cannot focus only on addiction. It must also consider the long-term impact on chronic conditions such as diabetes.

This matters even more as type 2 diabetes increasingly affects younger populations, reinforcing the need to address risk factors early and protect future health.

Learn more about the connection between to***co and diabetes:
🔗 Read our Diabetes Voice article https://diabetesvoice.org/en/living-with-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-and-to***co/
🔗 Download the WHO to***co knowledge summary, jointly developed by the International Diabetes Federation, World Health Organization and the University of Newcastle Australia: https://idf.org/news-and-resources/resources/to***co-and-diabetes-knowledge-summary/

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World Health Organization (WHO)
The University of Newcastle, Australia

06/09/2026

Fiber is Your Protective Shield 🛡️

Fiber acts like a natural "net" in your digestive system, slowing how quickly glucose enters your bloodstream and helping to reduce sharp rises in blood glucose after meals.

A study published in the BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care found that when people living with type 2 diabetes ate protein and vegetables before carbohydrates, their post-meal glucose excursions were 53% lower than when they ate carbohydrates first. Researchers concluded that a "carbohydrate-last" meal pattern may be an effective strategy for improving post-meal glucose control.

Small changes in how you eat can make a meaningful difference over time.

📖 Study: https://drc.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000440

Background There are limited data regarding the timing of carbohydrate ingestion during a meal and postprandial glucose regulation.Methods Sixteen subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) consumed the same meal on 3 days in random order: carbohydrate first, followed 10 min later by protein an...

06/03/2026

The "Plate Method" for Reversal

You don't have to stop eating, just rebalance your plate.

🥬 50% non-starchy vegetables
Spinach, cabbage, okra, callaloo, cucumbers, and other leafy greens.

🍗 25% protein
Fish, chicken, eggs, beans, lentils, and other protein-rich foods.

🍚 25% starches or ground foods
Rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, yam, and plantain.

Small changes, practiced consistently, can lead to big results over time.

05/26/2026

💪 Your Muscles Are “Sugar Sponges” 🧽

Every time you move your body, your muscles help remove glucose (sugar) from your blood and use it for energy. And they can do this even when your body isn’t using insulin very efficiently.

Just a 10-minute brisk walk after your largest meal can help lower blood sugar naturally by helping your muscles “squeeze the sponge” and absorb more glucose.
Small daily habits can make a big difference for people living with diabetes and for diabetes prevention.

👇 Tell us in the comments:
What’s your favorite way to move after eating?

Your idea might inspire someone else to get moving too! 💙

05/22/2026

05/19/2026

The warning signs of prediabetes can be easy to miss.

Sometimes they appear quietly:
frequent urination,
unusual thirst,
feeling hungry even after eating.

These are known as the “3 Polys”:
* Polyuria
* Polydipsia
* Polyphagia

You may also notice fatigue, blurry vision, or slow-healing cuts.

Many people feel completely fine for years.

That’s what makes prediabetes so easy to overlook, and why early screening matters.

05/16/2026

High blood pressure and diabetes often go hand in hand, making awareness, prevention, and daily management even more important for people living with diabetes.

By sharing resources, starting conversations, and supporting healthier choices, we can help reduce risks and improve long-term outcomes together.

Let’s keep the momentum going 💙

05/13/2026

A glucose test is a snapshot 📸
It shows your sugar at that exact moment.

An HbA1c test is the movie 🎥
It shows your average sugar over the last 2-3 months.

That means you can have a good reading today, but still have an A1c that shows your sugar has been running high over time.

That’s why both matter, but the A1c shows the bigger picture of how your body is handling sugar.

A1c guide:
Below 5.7% = usual range
5.7%–6.4% = prediabetes zone
6.5%+ = diabetes range

Know your numbers. Catch changes early.

05/08/2026

Mother’s Day is a time to honor all the amazing moms, grandmothers, and mother figures who fill our lives with love, strength, and care. 🌷

We especially recognize mothers supporting loved ones living with diabetes and mothers who are themselves living with diabetes. Your resilience, compassion, and dedication inspire those around you every day. 💙

Thank you for the countless ways you nurture, encourage, and uplift your families and communities.

Wishing you a beautiful day filled with love, appreciation, and joy.

Check out the full design: https://www.magnific.com/free-vector/decorative-flowers-frame-beautiful-mothers-day-card_8036066.htm

Image by harryarts via Magnific

05/06/2026

Empowered nurses make a real difference for people living with diabetes.

Across global conversations this year, there’s a strong focus on how nurses support individuals through education, advocacy, and person-centered care every day.
International Nurses Day 2026 also calls for stronger support systems for nurses, because when the nursing workforce is supported, care improves for everyone.

When nurses are empowered, people living with diabetes have the guidance and care they need to thrive.

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Learn more via the International Council of Nurses.
https://www.icn.ch/how-we-do-it/campaigns/international-nurses-day