Healthy habits to manage diabetes

Defeat Diabetes Month is a great reason to learn about the potential risks for Type 2 diabetes, as well as how to prevent it. One way to help prevent and manage diabetes is through habits that support a healthy lifestyle. Building healthy habits can help you improve other areas of your health, too.

Tips to help you manage diabetes

These are general tips you can trust to help improve your health and wellbeing, regardless of if you have diabetes.

Know your risk

Age, gender, family history, blood pressure, physical activity level, and race are all tied to your risk. You can take this one-minute risk test from the American Diabetes Association to find out your risk for having Type 2 diabetes.

Find connection

Whether you find connection with others through a support group, friends, family or healthcare professional, it’s important to have a network of people who you trust and can help get you through tough times. Reach out to friends and family to strengthen your relationships and branch out to make new friends and grow your community.

Prioritize your mental health

Dealing with health issues can be stressful. Plan to do things that help you to destress or take your mind off your diagnosis. Meet with a counselor, plan a game night with friends or start a new hobby. Find something you can easily fit into your schedule so that you don’t feel too stressed to make time for it.

Move regularly

Find an exercise or activity that you enjoy and fits easily into your lifestyle. Physical activity can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and make insulin more effective. Whether you do strength training or cardio exercise, any movement will help.

Make protein, vegetables and whole grains a priority

The Diabetes Plate Method recommends key building blocks for healthy meals that can help you manage your blood sugar:

• Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, carrots or leafy greens
• Fill one quarter of your plate with lean proteins, including fish, chicken, lean beef or plant-based proteins
• Fill one quarter of your plate with whole grains (Tip: Limiting your carbohydrates to one quarter of your plate can help you avoid blood sugar spikes after meals.)

Talk to your doctor

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your health related to your diabetes diagnosis or want to understand you your risk. If you don’t have a doctor, you can find one using our Find Care tool in on the member website and in the Blue Cross of Idaho member app. Make sure you’re logged in so that you see doctors in your network.

 

Published: April 26, 2023