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While there are many lifestyle habits that can aid in managing Type 2 diabetes, focusing on these five basics is a great place to start.
There is no set diet for people with diabetes, but there are some tips that may help you on the path to healthy food choices.
Exercise, or physical activity, is one of the most important ways to lower your blood sugar and manage diabetes. Physical activity affects your body in many ways; it not only lowers your blood glucose and helps you manage weight, but also can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk for heart disease and stroke. Exercise can give you more energy, lift your mood, and even help relieve stress. It can include walking, swimming, hiking, playing sports, doing yoga, gardening, and even housework to get you moving. Find what you enjoy doing the most and go for it!
Although any physical activity is healthful, be sure to check with your doctor to see what kind of physical activity is best for you (and any restrictions you may have). Gradually increase your active minutes each day with activities such as brisk walking and strength training to reach a recommended 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. Start any new activity slowly and increase intensity gradually.
Maintaining a healthy weight not only helps to lower blood sugar, but also may help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol just as exercise does. It is important to have ongoing support to achieve or maintain your individual weight goals. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian to help you identify an approach that meets your specific needs.
For people with diabetes, there are risks associated with drinking alcohol. Alcohol can lower blood sugar which can cause hypoglycemia. It can also interact with some medications, including diabetes medications. These risks can be prevented by avoiding alcohol altogether. However, if you do choose to drink alcohol, discuss with your healthcare team how and when it may be consumed to minimize these risks. The current recommendation is for no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.
If you are a smoker with diabetes, you are at a high risk for having a heart attack or stroke. Quitting smoking has major benefits to your health and is the number one preventable cause of death. If you smoke and would like to quit, talk to your Wegmans pharmacist or your doctor about different options we have to help.