The ABC's of Diabetes

Below is a summary of the ABC's of diabetes that we learned in last weeks support group.
Feel free to comment or post questions or helpful tips for your fellow support group members!!


Tests                               Target                          How Often
A1C                                          Below 7%                               At least twice a year
Blood Pressure                        Below 130/80                          At every visit
Cholesterol                              Below 100                               At least once a year 

Ways to improve blood sugar:
* Eat fewer sweets such as candy or cookies
* Stop drinking sugar sweetened beverages such as soda, sweet tea and juice
* Cardiovascular exercise for 30 minutes daily (remember this is anything that gets your heart rate  up, and does not have to be done all at once, 15 minutes twice a day to equal thirty minutes is great too! )

* Take diabetes meds or insulin consistently
* Eat on schedule 


Ways to improve blood pressure 
* 30 minutes of cardio daily
* Consume less sodium ( less than 2,000 mg per day) 
* Take blood pressure medications consistently


Ways to improve cholesterol:
* Eat fish 3 times per week (see blog entry below for helpful tips!)
* Consume less saturated fat (fried food, sausage, bacon, hot dogs, cheese)
* Increase fiber by eating foods like oatmeal, whole grains, fruits and vegetables
* Cardio for 30 min daily! 


** AND REMEMBER: the only way to know your numbers is to see them! Ask your health care provider to see them every time you are in!