Free Diabetes Classes
St Mary's Diabetes Group classes meet every Monday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. These classes are FREE and open to everyone.
No registration is required. Each series includes eight weeks of classes and covers all aspects of taking care of your diabetes. Guests are welcome as well.
You do not need to start with Week 1 - you are welcome to start with any of the classes!
Meetings are held at:
St. Mary's Medical Center, 450 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Cardiology Cath Lab Conference Room - Level C
Questions: 415-750-5513
Week 1 - What is diabetes? And why do I have it?
- Learn about checking your blood glucose.
- What is normal anyway?
- Find out what the numbers mean.
- Make a target blood sugar range for yourself.
- Set a weekly goal and begin changing behavior.
Week 2 - What can I eat?
- Learn about the food groups.
- Learn how to make diet changes.
- Learn how to read food labels and why.
- Find out how the foods you love fit into a meal plan.
Week 3 - How can I lower my blood sugar?
- Learn what makes your blood glucose rise.
- Find ways to take charge of your diabetes.
- Learn about the dangers of low blood sugar and what to do.
- Learn about medicines to lower blood sugar.
- Find out what drinking water and doing exercise have to do with diabetes.
Week 4 - What about cooking? Shopping? Eating?
- Discuss the everyday realities of living and eating with diabetes.
- Practical ideas to help you.
- What about snacks? What about alcohol?
- What to pack for lunch or snack.
Week 5 - What should I do when...?
- I have the flu or other illness
- My blood sugar is high? Or low?
- I run out of medication or test strips?
- Talk about other resources available to you
- My meter doesn't work?
- I don't understand what my doctor tells me
Week 6 - What about my weight and cholesterol?
- Are there good foods to lower cholesterol?
- How much should I eat to lose weight?
- Is exercise really that important?
Week 7 - How can I keep healthy with diabetes?
- Why should I control my blood sugar? Is it worth the effort?
- Learn about the complications associated with diabetes.
- Learn the best ways to avoid these complications.
- Plan your eye, dental and foot exams
- What about sex?
Week 8 - How can I cope? Who can help?
- Learn to manage your stress
- Know what your insurance covers
- Learn about talking to your doctor
- Talk about other resources available to you
- What about family?
