Diabetes

Having diabetes increases your risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease (poor blood flow to your extremities, which may lead to amputation), erectile dysfunction, just to name a few. In addition, it can cause neuropathy (loss of sensation or pain in your feet leading to diabetic foot ulcers), kidney disease (and possibly dialysis), and retinopathy (and possibly vision loss). Keeping good control of your diabetes and doing so quickly helps to reduce your chance of developing these complications.

Although medications may be needed to bring down your sugars to a safe range, here are a few non-medication strategies to manage your blood sugars:

• Weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity

• Aerobic exercise (30-60min of moderate-intensity, most days 4-7 days per week)

• Cut out sweetened beverages, including juices, soft drinks, sweetened coffee and tea drinks

• Reduce carbohydrate, in particular, simple carbohydrate intake (e.g. pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, muffins, bagels)

• Increase consumption of vegetables and lean proteins

• Drink enough water

Speak to your health care provider or diabetes management team if you are making major dietary changes, as your blood sugars and medications may need closer monitoring and adjustments