Physical activity also makes your body more sensitive to insulin. That means your body needs less insulin to transport sugar to your cells. Get your provider's OK to exercise.

Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or biking. What's most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most days of the week, or at least minutes of moderate physical activity a week.

Bouts of activity can be a few minutes during the day. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and build up slowly. Also avoid sitting for too long. Try to get up and move if you've been sitting for more than 30 minutes.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump, frequent blood sugar checks, and carbohydrate counting. For some people with type 1 diabetes, pancreas transplant or islet cell transplant may be an option. Treatment of type 2 diabetes mostly involves lifestyle changes, monitoring of your blood sugar, along with oral diabetes drugs, insulin or both.

Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record your blood sugar as many as four times a day or more often if you're taking insulin. Careful blood sugar testing is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range. People with type 2 diabetes who aren't taking insulin generally check their blood sugar much less often.

People who receive insulin therapy also may choose to monitor their blood sugar levels with a continuous glucose monitor. Although this technology hasn't yet completely replaced the glucose meter , it can lower the number of fingersticks necessary to check blood sugar and provide important information about trends in blood sugar levels.

Even with careful management, blood sugar levels can sometimes change unpredictably. With help from your diabetes treatment team, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to food, physical activity, medications, illness, alcohol and stress.

For women, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to changes in hormone levels. Besides daily blood sugar monitoring, your provider will likely recommend regular A1C testing to measure your average blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months.

Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing shows better how well your diabetes treatment plan is working overall.

A higher A1C level may signal the need for a change in your oral drugs, insulin regimen or meal plan. Your target A1C goal may vary depending on your age and various other factors, such as other medical conditions you may have or your ability to feel when your blood sugar is low.

Ask your provider what your A1C target is. People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin to manage blood sugar to survive. Many people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes also need insulin therapy. Many types of insulin are available, including short-acting regular insulin , rapid-acting insulin, long-acting insulin and intermediate options.

Depending on your needs, your provider may prescribe a mixture of insulin types to use during the day and night. Insulin can't be taken orally to lower blood sugar because stomach enzymes interfere with insulin's action.

Insulin is often injected using a fine needle and syringe or an insulin pen — a device that looks like a large ink pen. An insulin pump also may be an option.

The pump is a device about the size of a small cellphone worn on the outside of your body. A tube connects the reservoir of insulin to a tube catheter that's inserted under the skin of your abdomen. A continuous glucose monitor, on the left, is a device that measures your blood sugar every few minutes using a sensor inserted under the skin.

An insulin pump, attached to the pocket, is a device that's worn outside of the body with a tube that connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter inserted under the skin of the abdomen. Insulin pumps are programmed to deliver specific amounts of insulin automatically and when you eat.

A continuous glucose monitor, on the left, is a device that measures blood sugar every few minutes using a sensor inserted under the skin. Insulin pumps are programmed to deliver specific amounts of insulin continuously and with food.

A tubeless pump that works wirelessly is also now available. You program an insulin pump to dispense specific amounts of insulin. It can be adjusted to give out more or less insulin depending on meals, activity level and blood sugar level. A closed loop system is a device implanted in the body that links a continuous glucose monitor to an insulin pump.

The monitor checks blood sugar levels regularly. The device automatically delivers the right amount of insulin when the monitor shows that it's needed. The Food and Drug Administration has approved several hybrid closed loop systems for type 1 diabetes.

They are called "hybrid" because these systems require some input from the user. For example, you may have to tell the device how many carbohydrates are eaten, or confirm blood sugar levels from time to time.

A closed loop system that doesn't need any user input isn't available yet. But more of these systems currently are in clinical trials.

Sometimes your provider may prescribe other oral or injected drugs as well. Some diabetes drugs help your pancreas to release more insulin.

Others prevent the production and release of glucose from your liver, which means you need less insulin to move sugar into your cells. Still others block the action of stomach or intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates, slowing their absorption, or make your tissues more sensitive to insulin.

Metformin Glumetza, Fortamet, others is generally the first drug prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Another class of medication called SGLT2 inhibitors may be used.

They work by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing filtered sugar into the blood. Instead, the sugar is eliminated in the urine. In some people who have type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant may be an option. Islet transplants are being studied as well. With a successful pancreas transplant, you would no longer need insulin therapy.

But transplants aren't always successful. And these procedures pose serious risks. You need a lifetime of immune-suppressing drugs to prevent organ rejection. These drugs can have serious side effects. Because of this, transplants are usually reserved for people whose diabetes can't be controlled or those who also need a kidney transplant.

Some people with type 2 diabetes who are obese and have a body mass index higher than 35 may be helped by some types of bariatric surgery. People who've had gastric bypass have seen major improvements in their blood sugar levels.

But this procedure's long-term risks and benefits for type 2 diabetes aren't yet known. Controlling your blood sugar level is essential to keeping your baby healthy. It can also keep you from having complications during delivery. In addition to having a healthy diet and exercising regularly, your treatment plan for gestational diabetes may include monitoring your blood sugar.

In some cases, you may also use insulin or oral drugs. Your provider will monitor your blood sugar level during labor. If your blood sugar rises, your baby may release high levels of insulin. This can lead to low blood sugar right after birth.

Treatment for prediabetes usually involves healthy lifestyle choices. These habits can help bring your blood sugar level back to normal. Or it could keep it from rising toward the levels seen in type 2 diabetes. Keeping a healthy weight through exercise and healthy eating can help.

Drugs — such as metformin, statins and high blood pressure medications — may be an option for some people with prediabetes and other conditions such as heart disease.

Many factors can affect your blood sugar. Problems may sometimes come up that need care right away. High blood sugar hyperglycemia in diabetes can occur for many reasons, including eating too much, being sick or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication.

Check your blood sugar level as directed by your provider. And watch for symptoms of high blood sugar, including:. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes.

If your cells are starved for energy, your body may begin to break down fat. This makes toxic acids known as ketones, which can build up in the blood. Watch for the following symptoms:. You can check your urine for excess ketones with a ketones test kit that you can get without a prescription.

If you have excess ketones in your urine, talk with your provider right away or seek emergency care. This condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes. This condition is seen in people with type 2 diabetes. It often happens after an illness. Call your provider or seek medical care right away if you have symptoms of this condition.

If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar diabetic hypoglycemia. If you're taking drugs that lower your blood sugar, including insulin, your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons. These include skipping a meal and getting more physical activity than normal.

Low blood sugar also occurs if you take too much insulin or too much of a glucose-lowering medication that causes the pancreas to hold insulin. Low blood sugar is best treated with carbohydrates that your body can absorb quickly, such as fruit juice or glucose tablets.

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Indeed, the CDC notes that less water in your body is linked with a higher blood sugar concentration. RELATED: Is Stress the Source of Your Blood Sugar Swings?

This is especially true for those who have diabetes. A high-protein breakfast has an edge over breakfasts that are high in carbohydrates, according to research from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

In the research, women ages 18 to 55 consumed meals with similar calories, fat , and fiber contents — but differing amounts of protein.

The best breakfasts contained 39 g of protein and led to lower post-meal glucose spikes than the meals with less protein, the researchers found. Besides, eating breakfast may help overweight people with type 2 diabetes shed extra pounds. Of the participants in the National Weight Control Registry who maintained at least a pound weight loss for at least one year, 78 percent said they eat breakfast daily.

And the effect will last through your next meal, Weisenberger says. Interestingly, resistant starch can change with heat, and some foods, like rice , are higher in resistant starch when cooked and cooled than when cooked and served warm, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Just be sure to keep carb count in mind when incorporating foods with resistant starch into your diet. Beckerman, MD , a cardiologist with Providence Heart Clinic in Portland, Oregon.

Crandall tells patients that exercise is like spring cleaning for the body. Because exercise can immediately reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, work with your healthcare team to determine the right amount of activity and timing for you.

A study published in found exercising 30 minutes after the start of a meal is usually best for maintaining blood sugar controls. RELATED: 7 Tips for Staying Motivated to Exercise When Managing Diabetes.

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See All. DailyOM Courses. About DailyOM Most Popular Courses New Releases Trending Courses See All. By Moira Lawler. Medically Reviewed. Kacy Church, MD. Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana, and Oatmeal Smoothie Unlike most smoothies, this one is as filling as a meal.

contains Soy , Peanuts. SERVES 1. CALORIES PER SERVING AUTHOR Kelly Kennedy, RDN. REVIEWED BY Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES.

Print Download Pinterest. PREP TIME 5 min. Ingredients 1½ cups plain, unsweetened soy milk or milk of your choice. Directions 1 Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Nutrition Facts Amount per serving. calories total fat 20g.

saturated fat 3. protein 22g. carbohydrates 48g. fiber 9. sugar added sugar 0g. sodium mg. Rate recipe. Share recipe Facebook Twitter Pinterest Copy Link. Keep an Eye on Your Carb Intake. Fill Up on Fiber. RELATED: 7 Healthy Meal Tips for People With Type 2 Diabetes 4.

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is associated with diabetes and prediabetes. Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

Your body usually manages your blood sugar levels by producing insulin, a hormone that allows your cells to use the circulating sugar in your blood. As such, insulin is the most important regulator of blood sugar levels 1.

The latter is known as insulin resistance 1. External factors include dietary choices, certain medications, a sedentary lifestyle, and stress 1 , 2.

adults live with diabetes and that another adults have diabetes or prediabetes 3. Blood sugar management is especially important for people with diabetes, as chronically high blood sugar levels can lead to limb and life threatening complications 1.

Regular exercise can help you reach and maintain a moderate weight and increase insulin sensitivity 4. Increased insulin sensitivity means your cells can more effectively use the available sugar in your bloodstream.

Exercise also helps your muscles use blood sugar for energy and muscle contraction 4. If you have problems with blood sugar management, consider routinely checking your levels before and after exercising.

This will help you learn how you respond to different activities and keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high or low 5. Exercise snacks simply mean that you break up your sitting time every 30 minutes for just a few minutes throughout the day.

Some of the recommended exercises include light walking or simple resistance exercises like squats or leg raises. Other useful forms of exercise include weightlifting, brisk walking, running, biking, dancing, hiking, swimming, and more. In fact, any activity that regularly gets you up and moving — regardless of the intensity — beats a sedentary lifestyle.

Plus, know that if you have trouble dedicating longer periods to exercise throughout the week, you can still gain many benefits by doing shorter sessions. For example, try aiming for minute exercise sessions 3 times a day for 5 days, with the goal of minutes per week.

Exercise increases insulin sensitivity and helps your muscles use blood sugar for movement. This can lead to reduced blood sugar levels. Your carb intake strongly influences your blood sugar levels 7. Your body breaks carbs down into sugars, mainly glucose.

Then, insulin helps your body use and store it for energy. When you eat too many carbs or have insulin-function problems, this process fails, and blood glucose levels can rise. Some studies find that this can help you plan your meals appropriately, further improving blood sugar management 9 , Many studies also show that eating a low carb diet helps reduce blood sugar levels and prevent blood sugar spikes 11 , 12 , You can still eat some carbs when monitoring your blood sugar.

However, prioritizing whole grains over processed ones and refined carbs provides greater nutritional value while helping decrease your blood sugar levels Your body breaks down the carbs you eat into glucose, which then raises your blood sugar levels.

As such, reducing your carb intake can aid blood sugar regulation. Fiber slows carb digestion and sugar absorption, thereby promoting a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels There are two types of fiber — insoluble and soluble.

This could help you better manage type 1 diabetes The recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25 grams for women and 35 grams for men. Eating plenty of fiber can aid blood sugar management.

Soluble dietary fiber appears to be more effective than insoluble fiber for this purpose. In addition to preventing dehydration, it helps your kidneys flush out any excess sugar through urine. One review of observational studies showed that those who drank more water had a lower risk of developing high blood sugar levels Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk 20 , Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.

Avoid sugar-sweetened options, as these can raise blood glucose, drive weight gain, and increase diabetes risk 22 , Staying hydrated can reduce blood sugar levels and diabetes risk. Choose water and zero-calorie drinks and avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.

Portion control can help you regulate your calorie intake and maintain a moderate weight 24 , Consequently, weight management promotes healthy blood sugar levels and has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes 1 , 26 , Monitoring your serving sizes also helps prevent blood sugar spikes 2.

The glycemic index GI measures how quickly carbs break down during digestion and how rapidly your body absorbs them. This affects how quickly your blood sugar levels rise The GI divides foods into low, medium, and high GI and ranks them on a scale of 0— Low GI foods have a ranking of 55 or less 15 , Both the amount and type of carbs you eat determine how a food affects your blood sugar levels.

Specifically, eating low GI foods has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes 15 , Furthermore, adding protein or healthy fats helps minimize blood sugar spikes after a meal Stress can affect your blood sugar levels When stressed, your body secretes hormones called glucagon and cortisol, which cause blood sugar levels to rise 29 ,