Lifestyle management

People with diabetes can expect to live active, independent and vital lives if they make a lifelong commitment to careful diabetes management.

Key elements in lifestyle management

• Education: Diabetes education is an important first step. All people with diabetes need to be informed about their condition.
• Physical activity: Regular physical activity helps your body lower blood glucose (sugar) levels, promotes weight loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.
• Nutrition: What, when and how much you eat all play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels.
• Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important in the management of type 2 diabetes.
• Medication: Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. Type 2 diabetes is managed through physical activity and meal planning and may require medications and/or insulin to assist your body in controlling blood sugar more effectively.
• Stress management: Learning to reduce stress levels in day-to-day life can help people with diabetes better manage their condition.
• Blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to eye disease, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, so people with diabetes should try to maintain a blood pressure level below 130/80. To do this, you may need to change your eating and physical activity habits and/or take medication(s).