Take charge to achieve better blood sugar control through the following:

1. Eat Healthy

What you eat, how much and when, can impact your blood sugar levels. However, you do not need a special diet – the diabetic diet is simply a healthy eating plan that helps control your blood sugar. Some tips include:

• Eating a variety of diabetic-friendly food in appropriate portions. 
• Moderating carbohydrate intake and having low GI options.
• Sticking to regular mealtimes and spacing out meals and snacks throughout the day.

See a dietician for nutritional advice and obtain a diabetic meal plan that is tailored for you.

2. Manage Your Weight

If you are overweight, losing weight will help control your diabetes and reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Aim for slow, gradual weight loss (0.5-1 kg per week). Even losing a small amount of weight will help with blood sugar control and improve your overall health.

3. Stay Active

Engaging in regular physical activity is also an important part of diabetes management. It helps in weight management, improves blood sugar control and keeps the heart healthy. Do something you enjoy as you are more likely to stick to it and make it a habit. Also, try to move more as part of your daily diabetic lifestyle – so take the stairs instead of the lift.

Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program. Watch out for symptoms of low blood sugar during exercise (e.g., shakiness, chills and feeling lightheaded). Stop the activity and quickly eat or drink something sweet to raise your blood sugar level if this happens. 

4. Take medications as prescribed 

In addition to healthy eating and regular physical activity, taking medications as prescribed by your doctor can help to improve blood sugar control too. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or diabetes nurse to learn more about your medication, when to take them, and how to monitor your blood glucose levels.