In this Article

• Eating and Diabetes
• Diabetes and Blood Glucose Levels
• Your Diabetes Medicines
• Diabetes and Exercise
• Diabetes and Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
• Diabetes and the Food Pyramid
• How much should I eat each day?
• Starches
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Milk
• Meat and Meat Substitutes
• Fats and Sweets
• Diabetes and Your Meal Plan
• Diabetes and Measuring Your Food
• Diabetes - When You Are Sick
• How to Find More Help - Living with Diabetes
• Diabetic Diet Index

Diabetes and Exercise

What you eat and when also depend on how much you exercise. Physical activity is an important part of staying healthy and controlling your blood glucose. Keep these points in mind:

• Talk with your doctor about what types of exercise are safe for you.
  
  
• Make sure your shoes fit well and your socks stay clean and dry. Check your feet for redness or sores after exercising. Call your doctor if you have sores that do not heal.
  
  
• Warm up and stretch for 5 to 10 minutes before you exercise. Then cool down for several minutes after you exercise. For example, walk slowly at first, stretch, and then walk faster. Finish up by walking slowly again.
  
  
• Ask your doctor whether you should exercise if your blood glucose level is high.
  
  
• Know the signs of low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia. Always carry food or glucose tablets to treat low blood glucose.
  
  
• Always wear your medical identification or other ID.
  
  
• Find an exercise buddy. Many people find they are more likely to do something active if a friend joins them.

Diabetes and Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Low blood glucose can make you feel shaky, weak, confused, irritable, hungry, or tired. You may sweat a lot or get a headache. If you have these symptoms, check your blood glucose. If it is below 70, have one of the following right away:

• 3 or 3 glucose tablets
  
  
• 1 serving of glucose gel-the amount equal to 15 grams of carbohydrate
  
  
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of a regular (not diet) soft drink
  
  
• 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk
  
  
• 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy
  
  
• 1 teaspoons of sugar or honey

After 15 minutes, check your blood glucose again. If it's still too low, have another serving. Repeat these steps until your blood glucose level is 70 or higher. If it will be an hour or more before your next meal, have a snack as well.