6 lifestyle changes to manage your diabetes

1.7 million Australians have diabetes with Type 2 diabetes accounting for 85% of all diabetes. Although we can prevent up to 60% of type 2 diabetes, rates continue to increase in Australia.

Lifestyle changes to manage your diabetes

There are some simple lifestyle changes we can make to manage, delay and even avoid this condition. We’ve collected 6 changes you can make today!

Get in a workout (or five!)

Diabetes Victoria recommends you are physically active on most days of the week to manage your diabetes.

Physical exercise not only lowers your blood sugar, but it also helps you maintain a healthy weight which is particularly important in managing your diabetes.

What does physical activity look like? You can try walking, jogging, swimming, weight bearing exercises, yoga, pilates or salsa dancing. Your imagination is the only limit to your options! Check out our ChefFit blog posts for some inspiration:

Eat wholesome and healthy food

Healthy eating is important for everyone, especially if you have diabetes. Like physical activity, a healthy diet will help you keep your blood sugar in check and also maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complex, but at Chef Good we like to make it even easier by doing all the work for you. All you have to do is pick the meals, process payment and we’ll do the rest.

All of our Chef Good meals have been created to be nutritionally balanced as well as tasty and every one has been chef prepared.

Quit smoking

There is never a wrong time to give up smoking, but being diagnosed with diabetes 2 is a particularly good time to ditch this nasty habit.

By continuing to smoke when you have diabetes, you increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and losing limbs even more.

Decrease your stress levels

Stress, whether it’s physical or mental pressure, is proven to affect your blood sugar levels. As someone with diabetes, this is particularly worrisome.

Diabetes 2 is often a wake-up call for those diagnosed, instigating positive changes including ones to decrease stress. You can try physical exercise, meditation, getting out into nature or spending designated time screen-free to try and lower your stress levels.

Monitor your health and have regular check-ups

It’s critical that if you have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis that you schedule in regular health check-ups with your GP. You will also need to monitor your own health daily. Your monitoring might include:

checking your blood sugar levels,
ensuring you include adequate physical movement,
are eating the right foods or
that your stress levels are under control.

Limit your alcohol consumption

Alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes. It’s best to limit your consumption and to not drink at all on most days of the week.

If you take insulin or medication for your diabetes, you will also need to ensure you eat while you’re drinking alcohol.

Always consult your GP if you have any questions about how your lifestyle can affect your diabetes.