What’s The Best Way To Manage Diabetes?

Over 40 million Americans are said to have diabetes in the US. Diabetes can impact not just how a person’s body processes sugar, but also controls insulin and blood glucose levels. For best results, people are urged to take a proactive approach which usually includes a management plan that incorporates a balance of medical and lifestyle changes that can keep diabetes well-managed. Here are 3 essential tips to help people who are newly diagnosed with diabetes or are just now taking the condition more seriously.

1. Don’t skip doctor’s visits

So often, people don’t realize that diabetes isn’t just about controlling blood sugar or insulin levels. Sometimes, depending on how far the disease has progressed, individuals diagnosed with the condition need a full diabetic care team. These health professionals include the primary care provider (PCP), but can also mean meeting with an endocrinologist, registered dietician, pharmacist, eye doctor, dentist, podiatrist, and even mental health providers. Each person focuses on a specific need to provide holistic care that helps diabetics manage the condition.

2. Dietary choices matter

Just as important as maintaining regular PCP visits is being mindful about the foods and drinks consumed. Diabetes is directly impacted by food choices. Eating items rich in sugar or salt can create blood sugar spikes, and left untreated can lead to dangerous health outcomes. Worse still, sugars can hide in foods that people don’t associate as being sweet. For example, starchy foods like pasta, rice, and even bread are hidden sources of glucose which can create sugar spikes. For this reason, newly diagnosed patients, or even individuals with poorly managed diabetes, are encouraged to work with dietitians. An expert can help develop healthy yet flavorful meal plans that limit harmful ingredients but are still filling and enjoyable. In general, diabetics are encouraged to build meal plans centered on non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins or plant-based sources, and healthy carbs from vegetables, fruits, low-fat milk, and whole grains.

3. Get active and control weight

Being overweight or obese is a primary contributing factor that increases a person’s likelihood of developing diabetes, especially belly fat. Specifically, carrying extra weight can trigger insulin resistance, which means the body can’t effectively manage blood sugar levels. Likewise, being obese is can be linked with type 2 diabetes. Individuals who are overweight are urged to work to get to a healthier body mass index (BMI) which can improve disease management as well. Experts note that losing even just 5-7% of body weight can be enough to help control disease onset. Likewise, even for people that do have diabetes, getting at least 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week can help with managing blood sugar levels.

Putting everything together

Managing diabetes is a process, not an instant quick fix program. While taking medications as prescribed and seeing physicians as needed is essential, diabetics have a lot of power to control disease progression. Making better food choices, getting and staying active, and even being patient about how much time is required to see measurable changes can all be instrumental in improving health outcomes.