Diet and Exercise for Diabetes?>

If you're diabetic, diet and exercise for diabetes management is a great way to stay as healthy as possible. In some cases, these measures can even reduce your need for medication. Read on to learn more about the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet for diabetes symptom management.

Why Should I Exercise with Diabetes?

At first glance, the benefits of exercise may seem to have nothing to do with diabetes symptoms. However, this is quite far from the truth; exercise can help manage diabetes in many cases. Some of the benefits of exercise for diabetes patients include:

• Improving the circulation in your arms and legs, where many diabetics experience problems
• Lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels and your risk of heart disease
• Lowering blood sugar by helping your body respond to insulin and move glucose from the bloodstream to your body's cells
• Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight, which is essential for diabetics
• Reducing stress levels, which is important because stress can cause your blood sugar to rise.

Some type 2 diabetics are able to reduce the amount of medication they need, or can completely manage their diabetes, with the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet alone.

What if I've Never Exercised?

If you're not an "exerciser," don't worry. Exercise for diabetes management doesn't have to be super-strenuous, and it can turn out to be a lot of fun. Your doctor can help you come up with a safe, enjoyable plan for you to reap the benefits of exercise. Even something as simple and easy as walking counts as exercise. Here are some tips for those who need to exercise with diabetes:

• Always wear a bracelet or tag that identifies you as a diabetic when you are out exercising.
• Avoid heavy weightlifting, as it can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure.
• Low impact activities such as biking, swimming and walking are great for most people new to exercise.
• Start slowly and build your exercise time up safely and gradually.
• When walking or jogging, be sure your shoes are well fitted and comfortable. Check your feet for blisters after these activities.

A Diabetic Diet Plan

If you just found out you have diabetes, this doesn't mean your diet has to be complicated, or that you can only eat special foods. A diet for diabetes usually means that you'll be eating a variety of healthy foods at regular mealtimes, and keeping your portion sizes moderate.

Meeting with a registered dietician to come up with a diabetic diet plan can take the stress out of planning your meals, and increase your knowledge of nutrition and diabetes. Here are some basics on a diet for diabetes:

• You can still travel and eat out. Your dietician will explain how to make wise food choices that will fit into your new diabetic diet plan.
• You'll eat the about same amount of calories and carbohydrates every day with a diet for diabetes. Your means, however, will have plenty of variety.
• Your dietician may recommend the exchange diabetic diet plan, which involves grouping foods into basic categories such as fats, fruits, meats/meat substitutes and starches. For example, if you are allowed "one starch exchange" at a meal or snack, you could select one-third cup of cooked pasta or one small apple.

Resources

Lifeclinic International. (2010). Exercise and fitness tips for diabetes patients. Retrieved April 1, 2010, from http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/diabetes/exercise.asp.

Mayo Clinic. (2007). Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan. Retrieved April 1, 2010, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00027.