4 Daily, Healthy Habits

Managing diabetes—Type 1 or Type 2—requires you to take an active role in your care every day. Your two daily mantras should be: Plan ahead. Be prepared.

Without question, diabetes is a demanding disease to manage. Try these practical tips to make living with diabetes just a bit easier.

Eat healthier Map out a weekly plan for the snacks (apples, dried fruit, nuts, cheese sticks, etc.) and meals you’ll eat. Use your plan to create your shopping list.

Exercise Schedule a walk or resistance training into your morning routine to get it done early. Team up with your spouse, neighbor or co-worker to exercise. Commit to a specific action plan.

Check regularly Use your smart phone or an app to set daily reminders when you need to check. Restock your testing supplies at the same intervals and times each week. Carry sufficient supplies.

Lower glucose Tie in your medications to a behavior you always do, like brushing your teeth, fixing an evening snack or getting ready for bed. Set up a week of medications in a seven-day pillbox. By Hope Warshaw, Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Author, “Eat Out Eat Well: the Guide to Eating Healthy in Any Restaurant”