AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know

Games · Health & Safety

Stuff Every Diabetic Should Know

Practical, sourced stuff to know when you or someone you cook for lives with diabetes. Not medical advice.

Start Stuff Every Diabetic Should Know ⚡ Today's sprint 🚗 Drive mode

Print the first 50 cards (free)Get the whole test as a printable PDF: $3 (pre-order)

Free to start, no sign-up. 127 cards so far. One Knowledge Score and day streak across all your courses.

Try 3 cards

  1. What happens in the body to cause type 1 diabetes?
    Show the answer

    The immune system attacks insulin-making cells. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease. The immune system mistakes the pancreas's beta cells for invaders and destroys them, so the body makes little or no insulin. Scientists still don't know what triggers it.

  2. In type 2 diabetes, what does 'insulin resistance' mean?
    Show the answer

    The body doesn't use insulin properly. In type 2, cells in the muscles, fat and liver don't respond well to insulin. At first the pancreas makes extra to keep up, but over time it can't make enough to keep blood sugar normal.

  3. Can an adult be newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?
    Show the answer

    Yes, it can start at any age. Type 1 is most often diagnosed in young people, but it can develop in anyone at any age. Adults with new type 1 are sometimes first told they have type 2.

All 127 practice questions

Each one has the answer, why it's right, and the official sources. Or play them as a game and track what you've learned.

Show all 127 questions
  1. What happens in the body to cause type 1 diabetes?
  2. In type 2 diabetes, what does 'insulin resistance' mean?
  3. Can an adult be newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?
  4. What is gestational diabetes?
  5. When are most pregnant people tested for gestational diabetes?
  6. After gestational diabetes goes away, what is true about the future?
  7. What A1C range counts as prediabetes?
  8. An A1C at or above what level is used to diagnose diabetes?
  9. What fasting blood sugar result is in the diabetes range?
  10. After one test result in the diabetes range, what usually happens before a diagnosis?
  11. Can a store-bought blood glucose meter diagnose diabetes?
  12. An A1C test shows your average blood sugar over about how long?
  13. For many adults with diabetes, what A1C goal does the ADA suggest?
  14. With a continuous glucose monitor, what target range is used for 'time in range' for most people?
  15. For many people with diabetes, a blood sugar below what number counts as low?
  16. Which of these is a common sign of low blood sugar?
  17. What does the '15-15 rule' for treating a low tell you to do?
  18. Glucagon is used for severe lows. How does it raise blood sugar?
  19. After a friend gives you glucagon for a severe low, what should they do next?
  20. Which can be a sign of low blood sugar during sleep?
  21. What is 'hypoglycemia unawareness'?
  22. Which pair are classic warning signs of diabetes?
  23. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), what builds up in the blood?
  24. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is a very high blood sugar emergency mostly seen in which type?
  25. When someone with diabetes catches a cold or flu, how often should they check blood sugar?
  26. If you have diabetes, are sick, and have trouble keeping water down, what does the ADA suggest?
  27. How often should people with diabetes check their feet?
  28. Is it okay for someone with diabetes to walk barefoot around the house?
  29. Why should someone with diabetes test the water before washing their feet?
  30. How often do most people with diabetes need a dilated eye exam?
  31. Which tests check for diabetic kidney disease?
  32. Diabetes raises the risk of which mouth problem?
  33. After more exercise than usual, how long can blood sugar stay lower than normal?
  34. For an adult with diabetes who takes insulin, how can drinking alcohol affect blood sugar?
  35. If you feel low while driving, what does the ADA say to do?
  36. Why do many people with diabetes wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace?
  37. Where should unopened insulin normally be stored?
  38. Per FDA general guidance, insulin in a maker's vial or cartridge can stay unrefrigerated up to about how long?
  39. Your insulin accidentally froze. What does the FDA say?
  40. Which is a bad place to leave insulin?
  41. When should a home sharps disposal container be sealed up and disposed of?
  42. Can used needles or lancets go in the recycling bin?
  43. Compared with adults without diabetes, how likely are adults with diabetes to have heart disease or stroke?
  44. Myth or fact: eating sugar by itself causes diabetes.
  45. Someone calls type 2 'just a touch of sugar,' a mild kind of diabetes. Is that right?
  46. If someone with type 2 diabetes starts insulin, does that mean they failed?
  47. On the Diabetes Plate, what fills half the plate?
  48. How wide is the plate used for the Diabetes Plate Method?
  49. Which drink does the Diabetes Plate Method call the best choice with a meal?
  50. Using the Diabetes Plate, how can pizza night still fit?
  51. In carb counting, one 'carb choice' has about how many grams of carbohydrate?
  52. When reading a Nutrition Facts label, what should you check first?
  53. A bag of chips has 2 servings, 11 grams of carbs each. You eat the whole bag. How many carbs?
  54. On a Nutrition Facts label, what does 'Total Carbohydrate' include?
  55. Counting carbs, should you add the 'Added Sugars' grams on top of Total Carbohydrate?
  56. Which sugar does NOT count toward 'Added Sugars' on the label?
  57. On a Nutrition Facts label, what % Daily Value counts as HIGH for a nutrient?
  58. A package brags about 'net carbs.' What does ADA recommend using instead?
  59. Compared with regular sugar, how many calories do sugar alcohols have?
  60. Does 'no sugar added' on a package mean the food is low in carbohydrate?
  61. Which of these sweeteners has FDA approved as a food additive?
  62. Monk fruit sweetener comes from a plant native to which region?
  63. A food labeled 'high fiber' has at least how much fiber per serving?
  64. Sugar, starch or fiber: which type of carbohydrate does NOT raise blood sugar?
  65. What should you look for on a bread's ingredient list to find a whole grain?
  66. A whole grain kernel has three parts. Which list is right?
  67. On the glycemic index scale, what number or lower counts as 'low'?
  68. Compared with a greener banana, a very ripe banana usually has what glycemic index?
  69. About how many grams of carbs are in a small piece of whole fruit?
  70. How much dried fruit, like raisins, has about 15 grams of carbs?
  71. Which raises blood sugar faster: fruit juice or the whole fruit?
  72. Why do sugary drinks like soda and sweet tea hit blood glucose so quickly?
  73. At the drive-thru, ADA suggests a half-and-half mix of unsweetened iced tea and what?
  74. Per ADA, how do the carbs in a small fruit cup compare with a small fry?
  75. How can a meal high in protein and fat change the way carbs affect blood sugar?
  76. A baked potato has very little sugar. Does it still raise blood glucose?
  77. Green peas or sugar snap peas: which one is the starchy vegetable?
  78. A half cup of beans gives about as much protein as how much meat?
  79. A quarter cup of nuts is about the size of what everyday object?
  80. Using your hand as a guide, one serving of meat or poultry is about the size of what?
  81. A half-cup serving of ice cream is about the size of what?
  82. About how many cups of air-popped or light popcorn have 15 grams of carbs?
  83. Which snack does ADA suggest for a combo of protein, healthy fat and fiber?
  84. Myth or fact: people with diabetes can never eat sugar or sweets.
  85. Is the goal for people with diabetes to cut carbs down to zero?
  86. Myth or fact: fruit is off-limits if you have diabetes.
  87. Why can fun-size Halloween candy be tricky for carb counting?
  88. When cooking, what does ADA suggest using instead of butter?
  89. What's a MedlinePlus swap to lighten up sour cream in a dip?
  90. In diabetes meal planning, a cup of milk counts as what?
  91. Swapping white sugar for honey in a recipe: does honey count as an added sugar?
  92. How do type 2 diabetes symptoms usually develop?
  93. Does gestational diabetes usually cause noticeable symptoms?
  94. Which hormone disorder raises the risk of gestational diabetes?
  95. For people with overweight, the ADA suggests aiming for at least how much weight loss?
  96. If someone isn't meeting their glucose goals, how often does the ADA suggest checking glycemic status?
  97. For many adults using a CGM, what share of time in range does the ADA set as a goal?
  98. For many adults on a CGM, how much time below 70 mg/dL does the ADA accept as a goal?
  99. On a CGM, what is ADA's goal for time spent below 54 mg/dL?
  100. Which glucose range defines Level 2 hypoglycemia in ADA's system?
  101. What makes a low blood sugar 'Level 3' in ADA's system?
  102. For a conscious person with a low, what does the ADA say is the preferred treatment?
  103. Who does the ADA say should have glucagon prescribed?
  104. What do the ADA's 2026 Standards say first-aid kits should include?
  105. How often should people at risk be screened for hypoglycemia unawareness?
  106. Who should help make your written diabetes plan for illness or fasting?
  107. Can diabetic ketoacidosis happen in type 2 diabetes?
  108. Which pair includes common triggers for DKA?
  109. Which professional does ADA recommend for individualized medical nutrition therapy?
  110. What fiber benchmark does ADA give per 1,000 calories?
  111. How does ADA describe using nonnutritive sweeteners instead of sugary products?
  112. What daily sodium limit does ADA list for people with diabetes?
  113. Which eating pattern does ADA list as an option for diabetes?
  114. Which protein sources does ADA encourage adding to a varied eating pattern?
  115. Does ADA recommend vitamins, minerals, herbs, or spices for blood sugar benefits?
  116. What should happen before a person with diabetes begins a religious fast?
  117. What weekly aerobic activity goal does ADA give most adults with diabetes?
  118. How often does ADA suggest resistance exercise for adults with diabetes?
  119. How often does ADA say prolonged sitting should be interrupted?
  120. What daily activity goal does ADA give children and teens with diabetes?
  121. What training does ADA suggest two to three times weekly for most older adults?
  122. What does ADA recommend about tobacco and vaping for people with diabetes?
  123. What sleep topic does ADA say diabetes care should screen for?
  124. What is diabetes distress?
  125. How often does ADA recommend anxiety screening for people with diabetes?
  126. When is diabetes self-management education and support especially important?
  127. What fasting blood sugar result is in the prediabetes range?

Only you see which courses you take. Nothing here is medical advice; ask your doctor about your own care.