Check your blood sugar level. Also talk with your healthcare professional about your blood sugar testing needs. If you don't take insulin or other diabetes medicines, you likely won't need to check your blood sugar before or during exercise. But if you take insulin or other diabetes medicines, testing is important.

Check your blood sugar before, during and after exercise. Many diabetes medicines lower blood sugar. So does exercise, and its effects can last up to a day later. The risk of low blood sugar is greater if the activity is new to you.

The risk also is greater if you start to exercise at a more intense level. Be aware of symptoms of low blood sugar.

These include feeling shaky, weak, tired, hungry, lightheaded, irritable, anxious or confused. See if you need a snack. Have a small snack before you exercise if you use insulin and your blood sugar level is low. The snack you have before exercise should contain about 15 to 30 grams of carbs.

Or you could take 10 to 20 grams of glucose products. This helps prevent a low blood sugar level. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or other fluids while exercising. Dehydration can affect blood sugar levels. Be prepared. Always have a small snack, glucose tablets or glucose gel with you during exercise.

You'll need a quick way to boost your blood sugar if it drops too low. Carry medical identification too. In case of an emergency, medical identification can show others that you have diabetes. It also can show whether you take diabetes medicine such as insulin.

Medical IDs come in forms such as cards, bracelets and necklaces. Adjust your diabetes treatment plan as needed. If you take insulin, you may need to lower your insulin dose before you exercise.

You also may need to watch your blood sugar level closely for several hours after intense activity. That's because low blood sugar can happen later on. Your healthcare professional can advise you how to correctly make changes to your medicine.

You also may need to adjust your treatment if you've increased how often or how hard you exercise. Insulin and other diabetes medicines are designed to lower blood sugar levels when diet and exercise alone don't help enough.

How well these medicines work depends on the timing and size of the dose. Medicines you take for conditions other than diabetes also can affect your blood sugar levels. Store insulin properly. Insulin that is not stored properly or is past its expiration date may not work. Keep insulin away from extreme heat or cold.

Don't store it in the freezer or in direct sunlight. Tell your healthcare professional about any medicine problems. If your diabetes medicines cause your blood sugar level to drop too low, the dosage or timing may need to be changed.

Your healthcare professional also might adjust your medicine if your blood sugar stays too high. Be cautious with new medicines. Talk with your healthcare team or pharmacist before you try new medicines. That includes medicines sold without a prescription and those prescribed for other medical conditions.

Ask how the new medicine might affect your blood sugar levels and any diabetes medicines you take. Sometimes a different medicine may be used to prevent dangerous side effects. Or a different medicine might be used to prevent your current medicine from mixing poorly with a new one.

With diabetes, it's important to be prepared for times of illness. When you're sick, your body makes stress-related hormones that help fight the illness. But those hormones also can raise your blood sugar. Changes in your appetite and usual activity also may affect your blood sugar level.

Plan ahead. Work with your healthcare team to make a plan for sick days. Include instructions on what medicines to take and how to adjust your medicines if needed. Also note how often to measure your blood sugar.

Ask your healthcare professional if you need to measure levels of acids in the urine called ketones. Your plan also should include what foods and drinks to have, and what cold or flu medicines you can take. Know when to call your healthcare professional too.

For example, it's important to call if you run a fever over degrees Fahrenheit Keep taking your diabetes medicine. But call your healthcare professional if you can't eat because of an upset stomach or vomiting. In these situations, you may need to change your insulin dose. If you take rapid-acting or short-acting insulin or other diabetes medicine, you may need to lower the dose or stop taking it for a time.

These medicines need to be carefully balanced with food to prevent low blood sugar. But if you use long-acting insulin, do not stop taking it.

During times of illness, it's also important to check your blood sugar often. Stick to your diabetes meal plan if you can. Eating as usual helps you control your blood sugar. Keep a supply of foods that are easy on your stomach.

These include gelatin, crackers, soups, instant pudding and applesauce. Drink lots of water or other fluids that don't add calories, such as tea, to make sure you stay hydrated. If you take insulin, you may need to sip sugary drinks such as juice or sports drinks.

These drinks can help keep your blood sugar from dropping too low. It's risky for some people with diabetes to drink alcohol. Alcohol can lead to low blood sugar shortly after you drink it and for hours afterward. The liver usually releases stored sugar to offset falling blood sugar levels.

But if your liver is processing alcohol, it may not give your blood sugar the needed boost. Get your healthcare professional's OK to drink alcohol.

With diabetes, drinking too much alcohol sometimes can lead to health conditions such as nerve damage.

But if your diabetes is under control and your healthcare professional agrees, an occasional alcoholic drink is fine. Women should have no more than one drink a day. Men should have no more than two drinks a day.

One drink equals a ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1. Don't drink alcohol on an empty stomach. If you take insulin or other diabetes medicines, eat before you drink alcohol. This helps prevent low blood sugar. Or drink alcohol with a meal. Choose your drinks carefully.

Light beer and dry wines have fewer calories and carbohydrates than do other alcoholic drinks. If you prefer mixed drinks, sugar-free mixers won't raise your blood sugar. Some examples of sugar-free mixers are diet soda, diet tonic, club soda and seltzer. Add up calories from alcohol.

If you count calories, include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily count. Ask your healthcare professional or a registered dietitian how to make calories and carbohydrates from alcoholic drinks part of your diet plan. Check your blood sugar level before bed. Alcohol can lower blood sugar levels long after you've had your last drink.

So check your blood sugar level before you go to sleep. The snack can counter a drop in your blood sugar. Changes in hormone levels the week before and during periods can lead to swings in blood sugar levels.

Look for patterns. Keep careful track of your blood sugar readings from month to month. You may be able to predict blood sugar changes related to your menstrual cycle.

Your healthcare professional may recommend changes in your meal plan, activity level or diabetes medicines. These changes can make up for blood sugar swings. Check blood sugar more often. If you're likely nearing menopause or if you're in menopause, talk with your healthcare professional.

Ask whether you need to check your blood sugar more often. Also, be aware that menopause and low blood sugar have some symptoms in common, such as sweating and mood changes.

So whenever you can, check your blood sugar before you treat your symptoms. That way you can confirm whether your blood sugar is low. Most types of birth control are safe to use when you have diabetes. But combination birth control pills may raise blood sugar levels in some people.

A blood sugar target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. These are typical targets:. Your blood sugar targets may be different depending on your age, any additional health problems you have, and other factors.

Be sure to talk to your health care team about which targets are best for you. Low blood sugar also called hypoglycemia has many causes, including missing a meal, taking too much insulin, taking other diabetes medicines, exercising more than normal, and drinking alcohol.

Know what your individual symptoms are so you can catch low blood sugar early and treat it. Low blood sugar can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible. Driving with low blood sugar can be dangerous, so be sure to check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel. Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you.

If you feel shaky, sweaty, or very hungry or have other symptoms, check your blood sugar. Wait for 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again.

If you have problems with low blood sugar, ask your doctor if your treatment plan needs to be changed. Many things can cause high blood sugar hyperglycemia , including being sick, being stressed, eating more than planned, and not giving yourself enough insulin. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to long-term, serious health problems.

Symptoms of high blood sugar include:. If you get sick , your blood sugar can be hard to manage. You may not be able to eat or drink as much as usual, which can affect blood sugar levels.

High ketones can be an early sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately. Ketones are a kind of fuel produced when fat is broken down for energy.

When too many ketones are produced too fast, they can build up in your body and cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA is very serious and can cause a coma or even death. Common symptoms of DKA include:. If you think you may have DKA, test your urine for ketones. The human brain needs a constant supply of glucose.

Severely low glucose can have the following effects:. Less commonly, the person may experience seizures or lose consciousness. Among people with diabetes, severe hypoglycemia can be fatal. If the kidneys and liver do not work correctly, breaking down and excreting medication from the body becomes harder.

Excessive insulin production or supplementation can lead to hypoglycemia. Some tumors can cause low blood sugar , as they produce chemicals similar to insulin.

A tumor may also consume so much glucose that it does not leave enough for the rest of the body. People who undergo gastric bypass surgery might also experience hypoglycemia, as they will be able to take in less food than they were able to before surgery.

Nesidioblastosis, a rare condition involving the enlargement of beta cells, often results in an overproduction of insulin. Beta cells produce insulin in the pancreas. Glucose is another product of carbohydrate breakdown. It is a simple sugar that cells in the body can easily convert to energy.

Sugars, such as glucose, and complex carbohydrates make up the principal dietary carbohydrates. Other sugars can include fructose, lactose, and maltose, along with sucrose table sugar. Complex carbohydrates can include starches and types of dietary fiber. The sugar goes straight from the digestive system into the bloodstream after an individual consumes and digests food.

However, glucose can only enter cells if enough insulin is also circulating in the bloodstream. Insulin is a protein that makes cells ready to receive glucose. The cells would starve without enough insulin or if they become too resistant to its effects. After people eat, blood sugar concentrations increase.

The pancreas releases insulin automatically to move glucose from the blood to the cells. The liver and muscles store excess glucose as glycogen. Glycogen plays an important role in achieving homeostasis, a balanced state in the body. It helps the body function during states of starvation.

If a person does not eat for a short period, blood glucose concentrations will fall. The pancreas releases another hormone called glucagon. Glucagon triggers the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, which pushes levels in the blood back up to normal.

People with diabetes need to maintain steady blood glucose levels. However, those without diabetes should also avoid increasing their risk of developing the condition.

The glycemic index GI can help people choose foods that will not disrupt their blood sugar levels. The index gives a value to each food. Foods that will cause blood glucose levels to spike dramatically, such as candy and sweet desserts, are high in the glycemic index. Measured against glucose, which is in the index, foods such as soft drinks, white bread, potatoes, and white rice have a high glycemic score.

Foods such as whole grain oats and some fruits and plants have a lower glycemic score. The glycemic load GL is based on the GI. It provides a picture of the total impact a serving of food will have on energy levels. It is an essential part of effective diabetes control. Many people with diabetes must check several times each day to plan for activities and meals, as well as scheduling doses of medication or insulin.

A person can test their blood glucose levels with a glucometer. They usually come with lancets, or tiny needles, as well as test strips and a logbook to record results. People with type 2 diabetes normally need to test blood sugar concentrations at least once each day.

Those who need to take insulin, which includes all people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2, have to test their blood several times a day.

Good forms of exercise include weightlifting, walking briskly, running, bicycling, dancing, hiking, and swimming. Manage your carbs You body converts carbs into sugar, then insulin helps your body to use and store sugar for energy.

You can help your body control your blood sugar by monitoring carb intake and planning meals. A low-carb diet helps prevent sugar spikes — and can have long-term benefits. That means it promotes more gradual increases in blood sugar levels.

All kinds of fiber are good for the body, but soluble fiber is best for improving blood sugar control. High fiber diets also help manage type 1 diabetes by helping the body regulate blood sugar. 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. RELATED: 7 Tips for Staying Motivated to Exercise When Managing Diabetes. Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.

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By Moira Lawler. Medically Reviewed. Kacy Church, MD. Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana, and Oatmeal Smoothie Unlike most smoothies, this one is as filling as a meal. contains Soy , Peanuts. SERVES 1. CALORIES PER SERVING AUTHOR Kelly Kennedy, RDN. REVIEWED BY Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES.

Print Download Pinterest. PREP TIME 5 min. Ingredients 1½ cups plain, unsweetened soy milk or milk of your choice. Directions 1 Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Nutrition Facts Amount per serving. calories total fat 20g.

saturated fat 3. protein 22g. carbohydrates 48g. fiber 9. sugar added sugar 0g. sodium mg. Rate recipe. Share recipe Facebook Twitter Pinterest Copy Link. Keep an Eye on Your Carb Intake. Fill Up on Fiber. RELATED: 7 Healthy Meal Tips for People With Type 2 Diabetes 4. Get More Quality Shut-Eye.

Having sleep troubles? Follow these recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation: Sleep in a cool, dark room. Avoid consuming alcohol or caffeine in the hours before bed.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on the weekends. Lose a Little Weight. Drink More Water. Get a Handle on Stress. Never Skip Eating Breakfast. Add More Resistant Starch to Your Plate. Resistant starches are also found in: Plantains and unripe bananas Beans, peas, and lentils Whole grains, including oats and barley Just be sure to keep carb count in mind when incorporating foods with resistant starch into your diet.

Ramp Up Your Movement Each Day. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Resources Prevent Diabetes Complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 3, Carb Counting. August 5, Sarker M, Rahman M. Dietary Fiber and Obesity Management — A Review [PDF]. September 19, McRae MP.

Dietary Fiber Intake and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. March Chart of High-Fiber Foods.

Mayo Clinic. January 5, Jenkins DJA, Kendall CWC, Augustin LSA. Effect of Legumes as Part of a Low Glycemic Index Diet on Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. November 26, National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.

November 30, Broussard JL, Chapotot F, Abraham V, et al. Sleep Restriction Increases Free Fatty Acids in Healthy Men. April Sleep and Disease Risk. Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. December 18, Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al. Sleep Health. Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.