Take Care Of DM
Taking Care of Your Diabetes Every Day
Do four things every day to take care of your diabetes:
Follow your meal plan.
- Be physically active.
- Take your diabetes medicines.
- Check your blood glucose.
Experts say most people with diabetes should try to keep their blood glucose level as close as possible to the level of someone who doesn’t have diabetes. The closer to normal your blood glucose is, the lower your chances are of developing serious health problems.
Check with your doctor about the right range for you. Your health care team will help you learn how to reach your target blood glucose range. Your team may include a doctor, a nurse, a dietitian, and others.
A diabetes educator is a health care worker who teaches people how to manage their diabetes. Your educator may also be a nurse, a dietitian, or other kind of health care worker.
A dietitian is someone who’s specially trained to help people plan their meals. For more information about these health care providers, and for help in finding them.
Follow Your Meal Plan
You should have your own meal plan. Ask your doctor to give you the name of a dietitian who can work with you to develop a meal plan. Your dietitian can help you plan meals that include foods that you and your family like to eat and that are good for you too. Ask your dietitian to include foods that are heart-healthy to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Your diabetes meal plan will include breads, cereals, rice, and grains; fruits and vegetables; meat and meat substitutes; dairy products; and fats. People with diabetes don’t need to eat special foods. The foods on your meal plan are good for everyone in your family! Making wise food choices will help you reach and stay at a weight that’s good for your body
- keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control
- prevent heart and blood vessel disease
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Action steps If You use Insulin |
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Action steps If You Don’t use Insulin |
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