Living With Diabetes: Diet and Daily Care

Understanding blood sugar and A1C

Blood sugar (glucose) is your body’s main source of energy from food. Keeping it in a healthy range is essential for managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

An A1C test shows your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months, while daily blood glucose checks show short-term changes. Together, they give a complete picture of your health.

Signs of high and low blood sugar

Knowing symptoms can help you act quickly:

• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): thirst, frequent urination, fatigue

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): shakiness, sweating, confusion

Talk to your doctor about how to manage these symptoms.

Balanced meals and carbs

Healthy eating is key to managing blood sugar levels. Aim for balanced meals with lean protein, healthy fats and vegetables. Your doctor or a dietitian can help create a meal plan that fits your lifestyle.

Carbohydrates have the biggest impact on blood sugar. Keeping track of how many carbohydrates you eat, also known as carb counting, can help keep levels steady.

Medications

Treatment may include pills that improve how your body uses insulin or lower blood sugar, or insulin injections to regulate blood sugar. Always follow your doctor’s advice and consult them before starting new medications or supplements.

Foot care

Diabetes can affect circulation and nerves, especially in the feet. Wash your feet daily with warm water and mild soap, dry them carefully and check for sores, blisters or cuts. You can use lotion to keep your skin from getting too dry, but avoid using it between your toes. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and don’t rub. You can also get orthotic shoes specifically for people with diabetes. Contact your doctor if you notice any changes.

Regular check-ups

Managing diabetes is a team effort. Your care team may include a doctor, dietitian, diabetes specialist and eye doctor. Routine visits, like physical exams, eye exams and dental check-ups, help catch issues early and keep your care on track.

Staying active

Physical activity helps lower blood sugar and improve insulin use. You can try to aim for a certain number of minutes of activity each week. Even simple activities such as taking a walk after meals, swimming or gardening can be beneficial. You can make staying active fun by dancing to your favorite music or playing games that get you moving. Aerobics, strength training or yoga can be good options for structured exercise. Talk to your doctor before adding a new activity to your routine.

Stress and mental health

It’s normal to feel stressed out or overwhelmed by living with a chronic condition like diabetes. Stress can affect blood sugar levels. Some things you can do to manage stress are doing deep breathing exercises, spending time outdoors and connecting with friends and family. Healthy habits like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and avoiding smoking also support overall well-being.

Caring for someone with diabetes

Providing care for someone with diabetes is a big job, but it can help them to relieve the stress of maintaining their condition. Some ways you can help someone with diabetes include:

• Attending appointments and taking notes

• Learning signs of high and low blood sugar, which may be specific to the person you’re taking care of

• Learning how to use a glucose monitor and helping with testing

• Helping with grocery shopping and meal prep to maintain a low-carbohydrate diet

• Doing healthy activities together

Don’t forget to take care of your own health as well. Keeping your personal health on track benefits both you and the person you’re caring for.

Final thoughts from Dr. T

Managing diabetes is a lifelong journey, but understanding your condition makes it easier. Work closely with your health care team to create a plan that fits your needs and supports your health.

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