Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Meal Planning for Active Diabetics

Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is a life-changing milestone in a person's life. It usually requires a change in lifelong habits. Exercise is recommended for anyone to stay healthy, but for diabetics, it is even more important. Exercise not only can help maintain an ideal body weight, it also helps to control blood sugar levels. However, active diabetics need to take extra care and precautions to make certain that they are getting enough fuel for their bodies so that their blood sugar does not drop dangerously low.

The amount of exercise you do is going to determine how much you are going to eat on your diabetic diet. The more physically active you are, the higher your nutritional requirements and the higher your risk is for developing low blood sugar. When you are just beginning your exercise program, it's best to monitor your blood sugars before and after working out and even during if necessary. It is important to listen to your body and stop if you are feeling light-headed or are experiencing any of the other symptoms of low glucose levels.


Before you start your workout, have a snack that will sustain you for a long period of time without spiking your blood sugar levels. A granola bar eaten with a handful of nuts is a good choice as it combines a high-fiber carbohydrate and a high-quality protein. The food that you eat before working out should have a high-fiber content. This slows down the digestive process of the carbohydrates in your system so that you will be sustained for a longer period of time.

Exercise for diabetics takes some care and planning, but it's so important that the extra trouble is worth it. Following a few simple guidelines will allow most diabetics to exercise safely: Drink plenty of water when you are working out to stay hydrated. Carry glucose tablets with you at all times or some hard candy that will quickly raise your blood sugar. Otherwise, eat balanced meals to maintain your glucose levels.

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