Health Habits for Diabetes
Several evidence-based lifestyle habits focusing on the composition, timing, and sequence of meals and on pre- and postmeal exercise can improve diabetes management. Consuming low-carbohydrate, balanced meals and eating most carbohydrates early in the day are helpful habits. Eating the protein and vegetable components of a meal first and consuming the carbohydrates 30 minutes later can moderate glucose levels. Postmeal glucose surges can be blunted without precipitating hypoglycemia with moderate exercise 30–60 minutes before the anticipated peak. Short-duration, high-intensity exercise could also be effective. Premeal exercise can improve insulin sensitivity but can also cause post-exertion glucose elevations. Moreover, high-intensity premeal exercise may precipitate delayed hypoglycemia in some people. Glycemia benefits can be enhanced by eating a light, balanced breakfast after premeal exercise.
What Behaviour Changes are Required to Manage Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is categorised as a lifestyle disorder and its major risk factors include poor lifestyle habits. Consequently, changes in lifestyle are most often the primary recommendations by doctors for the prevention and management of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Diabetes-Related Changes
These are the specific changes you will need to make in your daily routine upon being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
- Taking Your Medications
When diagnosed with any health condition, being regular with your medication is the first step and also the one that most people struggle with, as it can be easy to get caught up in your daily life and forget to take your medication. However, medicines are important for improving your glycaemic control and preventing complications that can be caused by high blood sugar levels. For diabetics, taking prescribed medicines regularly will have to become a habit that must be maintained into the foreseeable future.
- Blood Glucose Monitoring
Regularly checking your blood sugar levels is also a change that must be incorporated into your daily routine. Hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia (high and low blood sugar levels respectively) are associated with numerous complications like heart disease, eye damage, kidney damage, nerve pain, fainting, coma, or death in severe cases. In order to prevent these issues, and to better tailor your treatment, your doctor may ask you to check and record your blood sugar levels several times a day or week.
- Doctors Visits and Regular Check-Ups
As a diabetic, you may need to make more time in your schedule for frequent doctors’ visits, blood tests and check-ups. To prevent the damage and complications of uncontrolled diabetes, your doctor may ask you to make frequent appointments and get your eyes, kidneys, heart function, etc. tested at least once or twice a year.