Taking Action

Good nutrition and adequate exercise, along with appropriate diabetes medications, are important for good diabetes control. While people with diabetes have the same nutritional needs as anyone else, they have to take extra care to make sure that their food is balanced with insulin and/or oral medications, as well as exercise to help manage their blood sugar levels.

A healthy meal plan is one of the most important things you can do to help control your diabetes. Healthy eating means choosing and preparing the right kinds of foods. When you make healthy food choices, it may improve your diabetes control and might even prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and eye disease.

Exercise, along with a healthy diet and medication, can help you control your diabetes in many ways. If you don't already have an exercise program, now is the time to start! Be sure to consult with your healthcare team before starting or changing an exercise program.