Are diet pills safe to use if I have diabetes?

Diet pills are never safe to use. There are so many other ways to achieve weight loss success. You do not have to rely on diet pills if you commit to working out regularly. You also need to be following a healthy diabetic diet to keep your blood sugars in line. Achieving weight loss takes time. You need to develop habits that over time help you achieve your goals.

Diet pills may be an appropriate treatment option, but I would suggest that you consult your physician or endocrinologist first. You may be taking other medications that could counteract the diet pills and this could cause harm. 

If you would like to lose weight, I would suggest seeking out a registered dietitian in your area at eatright.org.

Diet pills are not recommended as a safe way to lose weight for anyone including people with diabetes. The ingredients in diet pills vary and some of the ingredients can have a negative effect on blood sugar levels. Some diet pills contain a large dose of caffeine which has been shown to raise blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The best method for losing weight is to reduce your calorie intake and increase your physical activity. Some steps to get started on a healthy weight loss regimen are as follows:

• do not skip meals-eat three meals/day;
• add more low carbohydrate containing vegetables to your meals;
• stay away from sugar sweetened beverages due to their higher calorie and lower nutrition content;
• watch your portion sizes of foods-use a 9 inch plate;
• increase your physical activity with doing things you enjoy like dancing or taking your kids or dog for a walk.