If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your physician probably has advised you to eat a healthy diet and exercise. But unless you've had nutritional and lifestyle counseling, you may not know exactly what that means. Fortunately, eating a healthy diet and incorporating some exercise into your daily routine shouldn't represent an insurmountable problem.
Definition
In diabetes, the body has lost all or some of its ability to utilize glucose, or sugar, and consequently, this sugar builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar, according to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Common symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes include fatigue, thirst, sudden weight loss and unusual hunger. You may also have wounds that fail to heal quickly, infections and sexual problems.
Diet Guidelines
You'll need to manage your food choices to keep your blood sugar levels in their optimum range, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. However, no one set diet is recommended for all diabetics, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center. You don't need to avoid all sugars, and you can have some sweets as part of a balanced meal plan.
Foods to Eat
Starches and whole grains should form the basis of your diabetes diet, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. You should try to eat multiple servings of starches per day, preferably grains or legumes high in fiber. Fruits and vegetables also should make up a significant portion of your diet. Consume protein in the form of very lean meats, poultry and fish, and only in moderation. Limit your fats and sweets.
Exercise Guidelines
Exercise can help manage diabetes, but you need to be careful if you've been inactive and you want to start an exercise program, according to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Make sure you see your doctor to get the green light for whatever exercise you're planning. Walking works well as exercise, or you may want to try something more vigorous such as swimming, aerobics or bicycling.
Considerations
Diabetics, especially those who are physically active, need to keep careful tabs on their blood sugar levels, according to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Hypoglycemia, which occurs when your blood sugar gets too low, occurs commonly in diabetics who exercise regularly. Make sure you test your blood sugar level before going out to exercise, and take steps to raise the level if it tests too low.
