Diabetes and Diet:

Diet & Exercise Important for Healthy Living with Diabetes

As the nation’s fifth deadliest disease, diabetes is something that should not be taken lightly. Across the country, approximately 18 million Americans are living with this disease. There is no known cure for diabetes; however by maintaining a healthy body weight and participating in regular exercise you can help postpone or even prevent the onset of this disease.

Adding lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise routine isn't exclusively for people with diabetes, but as a diabetic it is important to know that both nutrition and exercise are essential for diabetes control. By following basic health principles that allow you to maintain blood sugar levels, uphold a healthy weight, and other basic physiological needs you are well on your way to effective diabetes management.

There are many ways you can plan a lifestyle change, but you want to find what will fit you best. A good diet and exercise plan can fit with your daily schedule and eating habits.  A lifestyle change might sound like a lot of work, but your doctor and/or dietitian can help you create a meal plan that is best for you.

Dr. Alfredo Garcia, Medical Director of the Diabetes Center at Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen says, “I do my best to accommodate diets to individual patients. Depending on previous experience with weight loss programs in the past as well as what stage of diabetes they may be in, I make a plan that will best suit the individual.”

When you make a healthy lifestyle change, you will be on your way to improving your overall health and preventing future health risks such as heart disease, amputations, becoming blind and other serious complications.

“The diet as well as exercise program should go hand in hand," Dr. Garcia adds.  "Your body has the capacity to change and achieve a level of optimum health. In order to do so, you, as a diabetic, must stay committed and willing to make necessary lifestyle changes. We should always stretch before exercise and, if necessary, get a cardiac evaluation before starting an exercise program ... this will help protect you against any serious injury.”

There are a number of ways to help you follow your diabetes meal and exercise plan. Here are some healthy tips you can follow:

• Eat three meals a day at regular times. You can also benefit from eating a healthy snack. Eating at regular times helps your body control blood glucose levels.
   
• Limit sugars and sweets such as desserts, candies and sodas. Large intakes of sugar may cause higher blood glucose. Artificial sweeteners can be useful.
   
• Limit the amount of high fat food you eat such as fried foods, chips, and pastries. A healthy weight helps with blood glucose control and is healthier for your heart.
   
• If you are thirsty, drink water. Drinking regular sodas and fruit juice will raise your blood glucose.
   
• Add physical activity to your life by including 30 minutes of exercise a day, only after consulting with a physician. Regular exercise can improve your blood glucose control.

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