Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding DiabetesManaging Blood SugarChecking Blood SugarWorking With Your Health Care TeamCopingFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Diabetes GuideLatest Medication Options for Diabetes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Understanding Diabetes
Managing Blood Sugar
Checking Blood Sugar
Working With Your Health Care Team
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Diabetes Guide
Diabetesis a chronic health condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) is too high.
When the condition is not managed properly, blood glucose stays elevated, which can lead to kidney damage, limb amputations, and vision loss.
Although there is no cure yet for diabetes, managing diabetes through lifestyle changes and taking your medication as prescribed can help you stay within your target glucose range and prevent negative health consequences.
This article will discuss how to manage diabetes through diet, exercise, medication, and regularly checking blood sugar to help you live a long, healthy life.
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The foods we eat are broken down and converted to glucose—or sugar—and released into our bloodstream. As the levels of sugar in the blood rise, it signals your pancreas to release a hormone calledinsulin.
A person with diabetes either cannot make enough insulin, or their body cannot use the insulin it produces, leading to high levels of glucose circulating in the blood.
Over time, high glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycemia) can lead to health problems. It is important to take steps to manage diabetes and control the levels of glucose circulating in the blood to stay healthy.
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
Managing your blood sugar to maintain consistent glucose levels and control high blood sugar levels is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent or delay long-term health complications of diabetes.
Althoughmedication plays an important rolein diabetes management for some, diet and exercise are also key factors in managing blood sugar.
Healthy Diet Plan
What you choose to eat, when you eat, and the amount of food you eat all play an important role in keeping your blood sugar within your target range. While there is no “one size fits all” meal plan for a person with diabetes, eating a well-balanced diet filled with whole, natural foods is important.
Everyone’s body responds differently to different foods and diets, so it may take some time to find out what works best for you to help manage your blood sugar.
The key to managing diabetes is eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods from all food groups.
This includes:
The Diabetes Plate MethodThe Diabetes Plate Method is considered one of the easiest ways to manage your blood sugar while creating tasty, healthy meals.In short, the plate method helps you control portion sizes without counting carbohydrates or calories.
The Diabetes Plate Method
The Diabetes Plate Method is considered one of the easiest ways to manage your blood sugar while creating tasty, healthy meals.In short, the plate method helps you control portion sizes without counting carbohydrates or calories.
The Diabetes Plate Method involves taking a nine-inch plate and filling half of it with nonstarchy vegetables. Next, you’ll fill one-quarter of your plate with lean protein and the remaining quarter of your plate with carbohydrates from whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, fruit, yogurt, or milk. Pair with a zero-calorie or low-calorie beverage to complete your meal.
Counting CarbsThough it is not always necessary, some findcounting carbsor keeping up with the number of carbohydrates eaten each day helpful with managing blood glucose and keeping up with their insulin.
Counting Carbs
Though it is not always necessary, some findcounting carbsor keeping up with the number of carbohydrates eaten each day helpful with managing blood glucose and keeping up with their insulin.
The good news is, there are many different diet plans to help you manage your diabetes. The key is finding what works best for you and your lifestyle. Whether you choose vegetarian, Mediterranean, or low carbohydrate, it’s important to eat minimally processed foods and limit foods that can cause spikes in blood sugar.
Eating With Type 2 Diabetes: Creating a Meal Plan
Foods and Beverages to Limit for Glucose ControlIf you have diabetes, you may want to limit these foods:Fried foodsFoods high in saturated fat and trans fatSugary beverages and sports drinksBaked goodsFood with added sugarFoods high in salt (sodium)Alcohol
Foods and Beverages to Limit for Glucose Control
If you have diabetes, you may want to limit these foods:Fried foodsFoods high in saturated fat and trans fatSugary beverages and sports drinksBaked goodsFood with added sugarFoods high in salt (sodium)Alcohol
If you have diabetes, you may want to limit these foods:
Exercise
Moreover, exercise promotes weight loss. If you are overweight, losing about 5% of your total body weight—which is about 10 to 15 pounds in most cases—can make a huge difference in the amount of sugar circulating in your blood.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends most healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.
If you do not enjoy certain exercises, don’t force yourself. Instead, make exercise enjoyable and choose an activity you look forward to.
Examples of Moderate-intensity ExerciseExercises that are good for managing diabetes include:Brisk walkingMowing the lawnRiding a bicycleSwimmingPlaying sportsHikingRollerbladingJumping rope
Examples of Moderate-intensity Exercise
Exercises that are good for managing diabetes include:Brisk walkingMowing the lawnRiding a bicycleSwimmingPlaying sportsHikingRollerbladingJumping rope
Exercises that are good for managing diabetes include:
Be sure to check your blood glucose before exercising. If it’s below 100 milligrams per deciliter, you may need to have a snack consisting of 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates. This can help prevent your blood sugar from falling too low during exercise.
In contrast, if your blood glucose is above 240 milligrams per deciliter, check your urine forketones. If ketones are present, do not exercise as this can make your glucose levels rise even higher.
Medication
Some people may manage their diabetes with diet and lifestyle changes combined with oral medications, while others may need insulin, oral medications, or a combination of both.
With type 1 diabetes, you’ll be required to take insulin. However, for type 2 diabetes, there are a wide array of treatment options available.
The main goal of both insulin and oral medications is to lower the glucose circulating in your blood.
If you consider adding a natural supplement to help manage your diabetes, it’s essential to speak with your healthcare provider beforehand. This will ensure there are no interactions with your current regimen.
Can Oral Diabetes Medications Help Me?For people with type 2 diabetes, diabetes pills can help manage their condition. However, for oral medications to effectively lower blood sugar, they should be combined with diet and exercise.
Can Oral Diabetes Medications Help Me?
For people with type 2 diabetes, diabetes pills can help manage their condition. However, for oral medications to effectively lower blood sugar, they should be combined with diet and exercise.
How Do Different Types of Insulin Work?
It’s vital to keep your blood sugar within your target ranges or as close as possible to improve your overall health, boost energy levels, and improve mood.
Checking your blood sugar is the best way to know if your levels are within your target range.
If your blood sugar is too low, it can cause:
If your blood sugar is too high, it can lead to frequent urination, excessive thirst, and the development of other health conditions.
It’s also important to keep a log of your blood sugar. This allows you to keep up with your response to your medications and meal intake. You can also take it with you to your healthcare provider’s appointments to help them understand how your current regimen is working.
Recommended Blood Sugar Target
What to Know About Blood Glucose Levels
For people with diabetes, working closely with your healthcare team is vital. Since you are the one who lives with the condition daily, it’s essential to be open and honest with your healthcare team to help develop a plan that is doable for you.
Consider writing down any questions or concerns that may arise between visits to address at your appointments.
Managing diabetes can cause you to feel overwhelmed. After all, you are continuously having to monitor your blood sugar, watch the foods you eat, be physically active, remember to take medications, and make other decisions about your health throughout the day.
It’s important to have a good support system to help you cope. For some, having friends and family to talk to might be enough. However, others may benefit from talking to other people with diabetes or speaking with other healthcare providers about any negative feelings that persist.
Finding SupportTo connect with others who have diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association’sonline support community.
Finding Support
To connect with others who have diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association’sonline support community.
Summary
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is common in the United States. It’s important to keep glucose within target ranges to prevent health complications associated with consistently elevated glucose levels.
Type 1 diabetes requires insulin, but type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed through diet and exercise alone. For some, however, medication may be required even if you make the recommended lifestyle changes.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of diabetes can be scary. It can be challenging to make exercise and dietary changes to help control your diabetes. It’s important to give yourself grace throughout the process and take small, gradual steps to achieve a long-term solution without depriving yourself.
Over time, your diabetes management plan may change. Your healthcare provider may add or adjust medications to help you feel better. Although this may feel frustrating, at the end of the day it will help you feel your best.
If you’re interested in controlling type 2 diabetes without medication, it’s important to closely monitor your blood sugar levels, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight. Always speak with your healthcare provider before making any medication changes.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is diabetes?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is diabetes?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Insulin resistance and diabetes.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Food and blood glucose.American Diabetes Association.The diabetes plate.Michigan Medicine of University of Michigan Health.Diabetes: counting carbs if you don’t use insulin.Kirwan JP, Sacks J, Nieuwoudt S.The essential role of exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes.Cleve Clin J Med. 2017;84(7 Suppl 1):S15-S21. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84.s1.03American Diabetes Association.Extra weight, extra risk.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much physical activity do adults need?UpToDate.Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes (beyond the basics).American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia.American Diabetes Association.Medication & treatments.American Diabetes Association.The big picture: checking your blood sugar.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is diabetes?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is diabetes?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Insulin resistance and diabetes.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Food and blood glucose.American Diabetes Association.The diabetes plate.Michigan Medicine of University of Michigan Health.Diabetes: counting carbs if you don’t use insulin.Kirwan JP, Sacks J, Nieuwoudt S.The essential role of exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes.Cleve Clin J Med. 2017;84(7 Suppl 1):S15-S21. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84.s1.03American Diabetes Association.Extra weight, extra risk.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much physical activity do adults need?UpToDate.Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes (beyond the basics).American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia.American Diabetes Association.Medication & treatments.American Diabetes Association.The big picture: checking your blood sugar.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is diabetes?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is diabetes?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Insulin resistance and diabetes.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Food and blood glucose.American Diabetes Association.The diabetes plate.Michigan Medicine of University of Michigan Health.Diabetes: counting carbs if you don’t use insulin.Kirwan JP, Sacks J, Nieuwoudt S.The essential role of exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes.Cleve Clin J Med. 2017;84(7 Suppl 1):S15-S21. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84.s1.03American Diabetes Association.Extra weight, extra risk.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much physical activity do adults need?UpToDate.Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes (beyond the basics).American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia.American Diabetes Association.Medication & treatments.American Diabetes Association.The big picture: checking your blood sugar.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is diabetes?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is diabetes?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Insulin resistance and diabetes.
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Food and blood glucose.
American Diabetes Association.The diabetes plate.
Michigan Medicine of University of Michigan Health.Diabetes: counting carbs if you don’t use insulin.
Kirwan JP, Sacks J, Nieuwoudt S.The essential role of exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes.Cleve Clin J Med. 2017;84(7 Suppl 1):S15-S21. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84.s1.03
American Diabetes Association.Extra weight, extra risk.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much physical activity do adults need?
UpToDate.Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes (beyond the basics).
American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia.
American Diabetes Association.Medication & treatments.
American Diabetes Association.The big picture: checking your blood sugar.
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