People with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, move more every day, and take their medicine even when they feel good. Taking care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel good today and in the future.

When your blood sugar glucose is close to normal, you are likely to:. Ask your health care team what type of diabetes you have.

Learn where you can go for support. Learn how caring for your diabetes helps you feel good today and in the future. Talk to your health care team about how to manage your A 1C, B lood pressure, and C holesterol.

This can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems. The A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. It is different from the blood sugar checks you do each day. You need to know your blood sugar levels over time.

High levels of blood sugar can harm your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes. The A1C goal for many people with diabetes is below 7.

It may be different for you. Ask what your goal should be. If your blood pressure gets too high, it makes your heart work too hard. It can cause a heart attack, stroke, and damage your kidneys and eyes. It can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Ask what your cholesterol numbers should be. Your goals may be different from other people. If you are over 40 years of age, you may need to take a statin drug for heart health.

It is common to feel overwhelmed, sad, or angry when you are living with diabetes. You may know the steps you should take to stay healthy, but have trouble sticking with your plan over time.

This section has tips on how to cope with your diabetes, eat well, and be active. See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early. If you have Medicare, check to see how your plan covers diabetes care.

Medicare covers some of the costs for:. Ask your health care team about these and other tests you may need. Ask what your results mean. Write down the date and time of your next visit. Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your diabetes care.

If you have Medicare, check your plan. Then, write down the date and results for each test or check-up you get. Take this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health care team. Talk about your goals and how you are doing.

This card has three sections. Each section tells you when to check your blood sugar: before each meal, 1 to 2 hours after each meal, and at bedtime. Each time you check your blood sugar, write down the date, time, and results.

They may be different if you have other health problems like heart disease, or your blood sugar often gets too low. The U. This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIDDK , part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public.

Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. Home Health Information Diabetes Diabetes Overview Managing Diabetes 4 Steps to Manage Your Diabetes for Life.

English English Español. Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs Step 3: Learn how to live with diabetes Step 4: Get routine care to stay healthy Things to remember My Diabetes Care Record: Page 1 My Diabetes Care Record: Page 2 Self Checks of Blood Sugar This publication has been reviewed by NDEP for plain language principles.

Actions you can take The marks in this booklet show actions you can take to manage your diabetes. Step 1: Learn about diabetes. What is diabetes? There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes — Your body does not make insulin. This is a problem because you need insulin to take the sugar glucose from the foods you eat and turn it into energy for your body.

You need to take insulin every day to live. Type 2 diabetes — Your body does not make or use insulin well. You may need to take pills or insulin to help control your diabetes.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. Gestational jest-TAY-shun-al diabetes — Some women get this kind of diabetes when they are pregnant. Most of the time, it goes away after the baby is born. But even if it goes away, these women and their children have a greater chance of getting diabetes later in life.

You are the most important member of your health care team. Some others who can help are: dentist diabetes doctor diabetes educator dietitian eye doctor foot doctor friends and family mental health counselor nurse nurse practitioner pharmacist social worker How to learn more about diabetes.

Take classes to learn more about living with diabetes. To find a class, check with your health care team, hospital, or area health clinic. You can also search online. Join a support group — in-person or online — to get peer support with managing your diabetes.

Read about diabetes online. Go to National Diabetes Education Program. Take diabetes seriously. Why take care of your diabetes? When your blood sugar glucose is close to normal, you are likely to: have more energy be less tired and thirsty need to pass urine less often heal better have fewer skin or bladder infections You will also have less chance of having health problems caused by diabetes such as: heart attack or stroke eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet, also called nerve damage kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working teeth and gum problems Actions you can take Ask your health care team what type of diabetes you have.

Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs. A for the A1C test A-one-C. What is it? Why is it important? What is the A1C goal?

B for Blood pressure. Evidence notes that yogurt can provide many other health benefits. And because eating yogurt can help people feel fuller, it may help with blood sugar management. It is best to avoid sweetened or flavored yogurts, which often contain more sugar than is desirable for a person who is looking to lower their blood sugar levels.

Greek-style yogurt and unsweetened yogurt can be healthy alternatives. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is key. Additional strategies to help lower or manage blood sugar levels include:. People with diabetes may also need to take medications and check their blood sugar levels regularly to reduce the risk of experiencing potentially dangerous symptoms and complications.

Choosing healthy proteins and fats and non-starchy vegetables can help manage hyperglycemia. Carbohydrates that are lower in sugar and contain fiber are less likely to spike blood sugar compared to refined carbs.

Lean proteins like chicken, oily fish, and non-starchy vegetables can also be good choices for hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia occurs due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance. However, a diet high in processed carbohydrates and sugars can increase the risk of blood sugar spikes.

High-sugar foods and simple, refined carbohydrate products are best to limit when managing hyperglycemia. Things to specifically limit or avoid include:.

The fastest way to lower blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin medication. Exercise can also help to bring down blood sugar levels quickly. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage overall blood sugar levels, but for immediate action, prescription medication or medical assistance may be necessary.

Eating healthy can help people with diabetes manage their symptoms and prevent complications. Learn more about which foods to eat and which to avoid.

People with prediabetes may find it difficult to find tasty meal ideas to help lower their blood sugar levels. Here are some ideas. Researchers said baricitinib, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, showed promise in a clinical trial in helping slow the progression of type 1….

A new review indicates that insulin—used to manage diabetes—can be kept at room temperature for months without losing its potency. A study in rat models of diabetes suggests that spinach extract — both water- and alcohol-based — may help promote wound healing, which occurs very…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Which foods can help to lower and control blood sugar? Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.

Whole wheat bread Fruits Sweet potatoes and yams Oatmeal and oat bran Nuts Legumes Garlic Fatty fish Yogurt Other methods FAQs Foods with a low glycemic index GI may help people lower or manage their blood sugar levels.

Stone-ground whole wheat or pumpernickel bread. Share on Pinterest Consuming less-processed grains can help blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Most fruits.

Sweet potatoes and yams. Oatmeal and oat bran. Most nuts and seeds. Fatty fish. Other ways to lower blood sugar levels. Frequently asked questions. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause. RSV vaccine errors in babies, pregnant people: Should you be worried?

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Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R.

Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for allowing glucose in the blood to enter cells. At most meals, a person should follow portion guidelines. Eating a suitable portion size can make it easier to manage weight and control blood sugar levels.

Many factors, such as weight, body composition, and activity levels, play a role in determining the ideal portion sizes. A doctor or dietitian can offer more specific advice on appropriate portion sizes for a person. Exercise has many health benefits and can help a person manage their blood sugar levels.

Notably, exercise can help by increasing insulin sensitivity, allowing muscle cells to use the hormone more effectively to take up glucose and use it for energy. This can help lower blood sugar in the short term. Proper hydration is crucial for health, and it can help a person control their blood sugar levels.

Dehydration is the term for the body having less water than it requires. It can cause blood sugar levels to spike, as less water in the body means that there is a higher concentration of sugar in the blood.

Therefore, taking on more fluids can help lower blood sugar. However, it is important to hydrate with water, as other beverages — such as fruit juices and sodas — can cause blood glucose to increase further.

Some people may consider using herbal supplements to help control their blood sugar. Although some research suggests that they may have a positive effect, more evidence is necessary to support these claims. Additionally, some herbs can interact with other medications and result in side effects.

As such, a person should discuss any supplements with a doctor before taking them. Stress has a significant effect on blood sugar levels. The body releases stress hormones when it is under tension, such as when a person is ill or experiencing emotional stress, and these hormones can raise blood sugar levels.

Evidence notes that managing stress through exercise and allowing time for rest and relaxation can help lower blood sugar levels. Getting adequate sleep can help with diabetes management. Evidence indicates that most adults should aim for 7 or more hours of sleep per night.

Insufficient sleep can have various effects on the body, including :. Keeping blood sugars at target levels can help people with diabetes avoid experiencing hyper- and hypoglycemic episodes.

Having blood sugars outside the target range can result in sudden ill effects. If a person is frequently unable to keep their blood glucose within these ranges, damage can occur throughout the body and lead to serious consequences.

These may include :. Typically, medications such as insulin can help reduce blood sugars quickly. Different types of insulin exist, and each type has a different onset and duration — meaning how long it takes to work and how long the effects last, respectively. For example, rapid-acting insulin typically begins to work within about 15 minutes , has the strongest effect in approximately an hour, and lasts for a few hours.

Other methods, such as exercise, can help lower blood sugars for up to about 24 hours by making the body more sensitive to insulin. Generally, it is advisable to exercise 1—3 hours after eating, as this is likely when blood sugar levels will be highest.

However, it is important to check these levels before exercising and to check them regularly, particularly after any grueling activity. If a person takes insulin, their risk of experiencing hypoglycemia may be highest 6—12 hours after exercising.

Additionally, it is worth noting that health experts advise caution if exercising with high blood sugars, as physical activity may cause them to rise even higher.

Managing blood sugar levels to prevent hyperglycemia is vital to avoid serious complications from diabetes. A range of lifestyle interventions can help a person lower their blood sugar levels and keep them within the target range.

A person can work with their diabetes healthcare team to plan strategies and targets. Researchers said baricitinib, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, showed promise in a clinical trial in helping slow the progression of type 1….

A new review indicates that insulin—used to manage diabetes—can be kept at room temperature for months without losing its potency. A study in rat models of diabetes suggests that spinach extract — both water- and alcohol-based — may help promote wound healing, which occurs very….

MIT researchers developed a small implantable device that improved insulin production in mice. If the device were developed for humans, it could offer…. Compared to "early birds," a study found that "night owls" are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and a higher risk of developing type….

My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. How can you lower your blood sugar levels? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Lowering blood sugar Why manage blood sugar?

How long does it take? Summary People living with diabetes need to manage their blood sugar levels. How to lower blood sugar levels. High fiber foods include fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

Drink plenty of water Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels.

And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more. Eat moderate portions Portion control helps reduce the calories you eat, which helps you maintain a moderate weight. Controlling your weight promotes healthy blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Manage your stress Stress also affects blood sugar levels. Exercise, relaxation techniques, and meditation can help to reduce stress and blood sugar levels. Get enough sleep Poor sleeping habits can increase appetite and promote weight gain, affecting blood sugar.

Sleep deprivation increases cortisol levels — which are essential to managing blood sugar. Eat foods that are rich in chromium and magnesium High blood sugar levels are linked to deficiencies in minerals like chromium and magnesium, which regulate blood sugar.

Chromium-rich foods include meats, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Magnesium-rich foods include dark, leafy greens, squash and pumpkin seeds, tuna, whole grains, dark chocolate, bananas, and beans.

Get the Care You Need You can help to control your blood sugar levels with a few natural adjustments to your lifestyle and diet. Wellness , Men's Health , Women's Health. Women's Health , Men's Health , Wellness.