Diabetes is a condition that needs to be managed every day. The central theme to live a healthy lifestyle for all diabetes patients is to control blood sugar levels. To control blood sugar levels and live a long and healthy life, Ms. Sunita Pathania – Sr. Registered Dietician and Diabetes Educator, Healthy Living Diet Clinic, Mumbai, shares some simple steps to manage diabetes…

Managing diabetes: Diet

The best way to control blood sugar level is by changing your diet. Besides, it also helps in cutting the risk of various diabetes related complications. People with type 2 diabetes should carefully monitor carbohydrate consumption, total fat and protein intake, and reduce calories. Having a good diet, certified by your dietician will help: 

 Help control weight

 Control blood glucose levels

 Control blood lipid levels

 Reduces chances for additional medications

Managing Diabetes: Exercise

A diabetic person should aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. A person with diabetes should try moderate exercises like strength training or walking. Exercise improves the body’s use of insulin, lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and also helps reduce body fat. 

Managing diabetes: Stress reduction

Stress is very bad for everyone, especially a diabetic person as it causes blood sugar to rise. Hence, keep away from stress by taking in relaxation techniques like exercise, yoga, meditation and visualization. 

Managing diabetes: Oral medication

When diabetes is unmanageable with diet and exercise, a person can add some oral medication in his list after a doctor’s approval. Some pills can help to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin or improve the effectiveness of insulin. However, these medicines do have side effects associated with weight gain. As a result, pop a pill only after a doctor’s recommendation. 

Managing diabetes: Insulin

Many doctors prescribe insulin in combination with pills. Insulin is also used in people with type 2 diabetes, because the cells in the pancreas no longer produce insulin in response to high blood pressure. Hence, insulin injection or insulin pump becomes a part of the daily routine to manage diabetes.