Home / Blogs / 4 Essential Lifestyle Changes Every Diabetic Should Make
Diabetes is very restrictive – living with the disease does not imply that you stop enjoying life. By making certain changes to your lifestyle, you can still live life to the fullest. For better management of your disease, here are some changes that can help improve your blood sugar levels and keep your condition under control.
Here are a few tips for better managing your diabetes:
The first lifestyle change you can make is to increase your level of physical activity. This can help you burn extra calories, thereby keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Spending 30 minutes a day exercising is ideal.
If you’re not fond of exercising or don’t have the time for it, even performing simple activities like walking, vacuuming, or doing your laundry can help lower glucose levels while burning calories.
Try to lose those extra kilos that may be increasing your sugar levels. You don’t have to lose all the weight in one go; you can do so little by little. To lose weight gradually and achieve a healthy BMI, focus on eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugary items and processed foods, while also exercising regularly.
When it comes to food, consume whole grain foods instead of refined carbohydrate alternatives. Make every meal balanced, with the right amounts of starches, fats, and proteins. Avoid beverages high in sucrose or fructose, as they add calories without much nutritional value.
Apart from knowing the right foods to eat and the balance between different types, it is also important to understand portion sizes and carbohydrate counts. Carbohydrates play a major role in influencing your blood glucose levels. Tracking the amount of carbohydrates you’ve consumed will help you determine the right insulin dosage.
In addition to monitoring carbohydrate consumption, understanding the correct portion sizes for different types of food is crucial for better managing your condition.