Lifestyle Tips

Recording your meals

To help you keep your weight and blood sugar under control, you may want to track your eating habits in a food diary. You can enter the times you eat, your level of hunger before and after you eat, and even what you think about while you eat. It may be helpful to learn more about why you make the food choices you make. It can also help you understand what you can do to change them, if necessary. To get more help in planning and keeping track of your meals, try the menu and recipe planner on LevemirCare™.

Minimizing unhealthy habits

Smoking and drinking alcohol can affect the health of people with diabetes. The symptoms and complications from diabetes are worse for smokers than nonsmokers. It’s also important not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. For heavy drinkers with diabetes, cutting down or quitting drinking can be very helpful for overall health. Learn more about how your drinking habits may be affecting your diabetes by talking to your doctor.

Maintain healthy teeth and gums

People with diabetes may have higher levels of glucose in their saliva. This could lead to tooth decay and gum disease. For healthy teeth and gums, it’s a good idea to brush at least twice a day and floss regularly. Visit your dentist regularly for examinations and cleanings. You can learn more about diabetes and your teeth and gums on LevemirCare™.

Sleeping well is good for you

You should get a normal amount of sleep every night for your overall health. If you still feel tired during the day, you may have sleep apnea. People with diabetes are more likely to have sleep apnea. Loud ongoing snoring with pauses, choking or gasping for air may all be symptoms of sleep apnea. If you feel that you aren’t getting enough sleep or have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor.

Pay special attention to your feet

If you feel tingling or numbness in your feet, it may be due to diabetic nerve damage, called neuropathy. It is important to wash your feet daily and wear clean, dry socks throughout the day. Wear something on your feet at all times to protect them from cuts or bruises—even inside the house. Check your feet for blisters, swelling, or other problems regularly. You can talk to your doctor or see a podiatrist about any foot problems you may have. For more about diabetes and foot problems, see information at LevemirCare™.

Check in with your diabetes care team regularly

Your diabetes care team may be more than just your doctor, because your diabetes treatment plan is more than just your blood sugar. Diabetes may also affect your diet, eyes, nerves, feet, and your teeth and gums. You should work with your primary care physician as well as a diabetes educator, an endocrinologist, a dietitian, an ophthalmologist, a podiatrist, a nephrologist and a dentist. Learn more about working with your care team on LevemirCare™.