“What life changes do I have to make once diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?”
I'm 32 and food is a huge part of how me and my family bond now. Now that I know that I have type 2 diabetes, I know I have to make significant changes like my diet. What else do I need to change about my lifestyle?
3 Answers
Great question, as of course now your diet will change. A great venue to start is with the whole30.com diet for just 30 days. Bet that afterwards, you'll feel a lot better.
After that, I like to be sure my patients don't also have to be on an anti-histamine diet, so do a challenge on day 31: fermented food. If you don't feel yucky and bloated, then go on to the diet for life (diabetes or not), the low glycemic diet.
You'll also be taking medications like metformin (which lowers blood sugar but also extends life because it is anti-inflammatory). Diet, supplements and exercise will always be more important to you.
After that, I like to be sure my patients don't also have to be on an anti-histamine diet, so do a challenge on day 31: fermented food. If you don't feel yucky and bloated, then go on to the diet for life (diabetes or not), the low glycemic diet.
You'll also be taking medications like metformin (which lowers blood sugar but also extends life because it is anti-inflammatory). Diet, supplements and exercise will always be more important to you.
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease and can lead to severe complications and increased risk for mortality. Strict glucose control can delay or prevent the progression of complications associated with diabetes, and there is also substantial evidence that leading a healthy lifestyle, including following a healthy diet, achieving modest weight loss, and performing regular physical activity can maintain healthy blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of complications of type 2 diabetes.
Long-term diabetes management involves key health behaviors such as physical activity, healthy eating, weight management, and smoking cessation. Regular physical activity can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of complications, and improve blood pressure control in people with type 2 diabetes. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reduces the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among those with type 2 diabetes, independent of their BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol level, and smoking status. Weight management and dietary modification such as adoption of a Mediterranean or low–glycemic index eating pattern have been shown to be effective in improving markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Smoking is a well-established risk factor for CVD, and people with type 2 diabetes should be advised to quit smoking.
Long-term diabetes management involves key health behaviors such as physical activity, healthy eating, weight management, and smoking cessation. Regular physical activity can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of complications, and improve blood pressure control in people with type 2 diabetes. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reduces the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among those with type 2 diabetes, independent of their BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol level, and smoking status. Weight management and dietary modification such as adoption of a Mediterranean or low–glycemic index eating pattern have been shown to be effective in improving markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Smoking is a well-established risk factor for CVD, and people with type 2 diabetes should be advised to quit smoking.
This is a good question. Yes, lifestyle changes are in order, but it's not too hard. If food is important to your family, then it is important to you. The problem with food is how much you eat, not so much what you eat. Keep the amount at a level that you can get to a normal wt. for your Ht. & keep it there. Be careful with the concentrated sweets. They can not only affect your blood sugar but also rot your teeth. The other thing you must do is exercise. To get maximal benefit from exercise, do something you like but do it consistently. So, set aside some period every day to get some good exercise & then you can eat more. A fairly normal life & life span can be attained if you follow the rules. Be sure to check your blood sugar often & get a HbA1c every 3-4 mo. & you'll do well. Good luck - it can be done with a little effort.
