First off it's a huge fallacy that consumption of sugar will give one diabetes.
People generally develop type II diabetes (that's the kind where the cells in the body have grown insensitive to the insulin hormone produced in the pancreas) simply due to a genetic predisposition to do so. It's why type II diabetes tends to run in families, and the reason that certain ethnic groups (Native Americans and blacks, for example) tend to have very high incidents of the disease. It also tends to go hand in hand with developing high-blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, in what some doctors call "metabolic syndrome". If you tend to put on weight mainly about your waist giving you what is usually called a "beer gut", then you have a greater likelihood of developing it. The best way to prevent developing it if it is present in your family is to watch your weight and to maintain an active life-style.
By the way, the other type of diabetes (Type I) seems to be the result of an auto-immune response where for some not yet well understood reason the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are attacked by the body's own immunity defenses resulting in their destruction. Once those insulin producing cells are gone a Type I diabetic must go on insulin replacement therapy to control their blood sugar levels. That's the reason why all Type I diabetics must take insulin, but in general a Type II diabetic does not.
Goober - I would suggest, if your doctor hasn't already, that you attend a diabetes education program, where you can learn all about how to best manage the condition. Most hospitals usually have one, but if you can't find one, check with your doctor or heath care provider to see if they can refer you to one.
As has been pointed out in a few of the posts the consequences of being a diabetic can be quite serious if you don't get control of the thing. But take it from someone who was first diagnosed as a Type II almost 30 some years ago - it is possible to live a good long life with diabetes causing very few problems as long as one manages to keep their blood sugar under good control. The meter your doctor gave you is your first tool in doing that. The other is making a few changes in your lifestyle to bring down your weight if you are carrying more than you should. In some respect being a diabetic is a blessing since it forces you to do the things that you should be doing to live a healthy life. Good luck in getting your life in control.