Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Controlling blood glucose, or blood sugar, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol is the best defense against the serious complications of diabetes.
People with type 1 diabetes control their blood sugar with insulin -- either with shots or an insulin pump. People with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar with oral medications or insulin, and some people may need to take both for a while. Sometimes a person with type 2 diabetes can control blood glucose levels with diet and exercise alone.
Good control of blood glucose requires
- following a meal plan that is right for you
- getting regular physical activity
- taking diabetes medicine every day
- checking blood glucose as recommended
- knowing and managing your diabetes ABCs.
Follow a meal plan to help keep blood glucose under control
Making healthy food choices is very important to help keep your blood glucose
level under control. People with diabetes should have their own meal
plan. Ask your doctor to give you the name of a dietitian or a diabetes
educator who can work with you to develop a meal plan.
In designing a meal plan for you, a dietitian will consider several things, including your weight and daily physical activity, blood glucose levels, and medications. If you are overweight, a plan to help you achieve a weight that is right for you will help control your blood glucose. Your dietitian can help you plan meals to include foods that you and your family like to eat and that are good for you.
People with diabetes don't need to eat special foods. The foods that
are on your meal plan are good for everyone in your family. Try to eat foods
that are low in fat, salt, and sugar and high in fiber, such as beans, fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains. Making healthy food choices will help you reach
and stay at a weight that's good for your body, keep your blood glucose in a
desirable range, and prevent heart and blood vessel disease.
Get regular physical activity to help regulate blood sugar
Regular physical activity is important for people with diabetes. Taking part in a regular fitness program has been shown to improve blood glucose levels in older people whose levels are high.
Exercise is especially good for people with diabetes because
- exercise helps keep weight down
- exercise helps insulin work better to lower blood glucose
- exercise is good for your heart and lungs
- exercise gives you more energy.
Before you begin exercising, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may check your
heart and your feet to be sure you have no special problems. If you have high
blood pressure or eye problems, some exercises like weightlifting may not be
safe. Your health care team can help you find safe exercises.
Walking, swimming, dancing, riding a bicycle, playing baseball, and bowling are all good ways to exercise. You can even get exercise when you clean house or work in your garden.
Try to exercise almost every day for a total of about 30 minutes. If you haven't exercised lately, begin slowly. Start with 5 to 10 minutes, and then add more time. Or exercise for 10 minutes, three times a day.
NIH SeniorHealth
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Last updated: March 2008
