You can eat foods that are low in fat, salt, and sugar and high in fiber, such as beans, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Eating right 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
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.
