Diet and Exercise in the Management of Diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) individuals can benefit from using current nutritional concepts to control their intake of carbohydrates, protein, fats, and other nutrients to aid in the control of blood glucose and lipid levels by building consistency of meal times and injections of insulin into their overall program. The NIDDM patient, on the other hand, will need a diet that offers appropriate calories to sustain daily activities, but also promote weight loss. Exercise has important physiological and psychological benefits for all individuals including diabetics. Exercise programs need to be designed for the individual's ability and used as adjunctive therapy to improve glucose control and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.