Great Self-Care Behaviors for Diabetes

The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is an association of healthcare professionals dedicated to helping people with diabetes become successful at self-managing their condition. Diabetes educators provide the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to achieve this goal. Diabetes education focuses on 7 self-care behaviors.

Healthy Eating Eating healthy foods, understanding portion sizes, and knowing the best times to eat are central to managing diabetes. Weight Control can also be a part of successful self-care

Being Active Regular activity is important for overall fitness, weight management and blood sugar control.

Monitoring Daily Self monitoring of blood glucose provides people with diabetes, information on how food, physical activity and medications affect their blood glucose levels.

Taking Medication Effective drug therapy in combination with healthy lifestyle choices can lower blood glucose levels and reduce risk of complications from diabetes.

Problem Solving A person with diabetes must keep his or her problem solving skills sharp. A high or low blood glucose episode or sickness will require making informed decisions about food, activity, and medications.

Healthy Coping Coping with diabetes depends on a positive frame of mind. This is achieved by learning what can be controlled, seting achievable goals, and talking about concerns and fears.

Reducing Risks Preventing complications from diabetes and maximizing overall health depend on risk-reducing behaviors, such as quitting smoking and getting regular eye, foot, and dental checkups.

If you choose to enhance your healthy eating with nutritional supplements, or if you need help losing weight, click these links for some additional resources.