Can Diet and Exercise Treat Diabetes?

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Meaning of Diabetes-

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood sugar, or say blood glucose levels are too high. The food you eat is the main source of blood glucose and blood glucose is the main source of energy of your body. Our pancreas releases a hormone- Insulin, that helps glucose from food to get into your cells to be used for energy. But sometimes your body doesn’t release enough insulin or no insulin at all, or may be doesn’t use insulin well. And, so the glucose stays in your blood itself and doesn’t reach the body cells. 

And, the stored sugar in your blood can cause many unwanted health problems and in unavoidable conditions, it is highly recommended to consult diabetologists online. Although one cannot cure diabetes fully as it is not a disease but a hormonal imbalance that can be managed with minor lifestyle changes and staying healthy. 

Also, when we are going through this deadly pandemic, the people suffering from diabetes possess a higher risk of getting infected with Covid-19, as diabetes and Covid-19 are enemies, and the coronavirus may thrive in an environment of high blood glucose.

Diabetes and its types?

Diabetes is a hormonal imbalance in the body and occurs when the pancreas doesn’t release enough insulin or say no insulin or the use of insulin is not proper. This leads to high blood sugar levels as the body is unable to get the sugar from the blood into the cells. A resistance to insulin or lack of insulin cause an increase in sugar in your blood which leads to many other health problems. Even if you have minor symptoms, don’t wait and go for an online diabetologist consultation at Mediflam.There are three main types of Diabetes:

  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Gestational Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes: 

This is an autoimmune condition and can be due to environmental and genetic reasons. This type of diabetes’ damage is permanent and lifestyle changes also won’t play a significant role. Your immune system attacks the beta cells in your pancreas producing insulin. 

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and starts with insulin resistance. Your body doesn’t release insulin much. This leads to high blood sugar levels. The main factors can be obesity, genetics, and not much physical activity. 

Gestational diabetes

This typically occurs only during pregnancy and is caused by producing insulin-blocking hormones during pregnancy. 

Cause and Symptoms of Diabetes

Many different causes of diabetes may be related to your eating habits, weight, day-to-day lifestyle, or also can be genetically affected. If not managed, a person can early sign and symptoms of diabetes, and if it is diagnosed at an early stage, you will be consulted on how to prevent this sugar disease. You can also see an option of consulting online diabetologists. 

Causes of Diabetes

The main causes of diabetes can be as mentioned below:

  • Insulin Resistance;
  • Family history & Genetics;
  • Overweight or obesity;
  • Lack of physical activity;
  • Genetic mutations;
  • Hormonal diseases;
  • Removal or damage of the pancreas;

Symptoms of Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes are as mentioned below:

  • Tremendous weight loss;
  • Fatigue;
  • Always feeling hungry;
  • Increased thirst;
  • Blurred vision;
  • Frequent urination;
  • Slow healing of wounds and cuts;
  • Pain in feet, hands, or numbness;

Is changing your lifestyle helps to cure Diabetes?


Consulting your doctor and taking proper care will help with the proper cure of diabetes. Mainly the below mentioned 6 lifestyle changes can help with diabetes at large:

  • Exercise: There are many benefits of exercising in diabetes as 30 minutes of physical activity makes you sweat, improves your breathing, and can help to control your diabetes by lowering your sugar levels. You can choose any exercise be it walk, run, cycling, and so on. 
  • Quit Smoking: Smoking can make it harder to exercise, so if you are a smoker consult a doctor for ways of quitting. 
  • Manage Stress: High level of stress can boost up blood sugar levels, so find ways like yoga, meditation, or any hobby to balance the stress levels.
  • Have a healthy diet, fix your mealtimes, and avoid foods that can cause higher sugar levels. You can also consult a dietician online for a proper diet plan

Diabetes Treatment: Diet and Exercise


Commitment to certain foods for diabetes or a better diet can help in managing the blood sugar levels, lowers insulin resistance, manages mood, and blood lipid control. Along with a proper diet, exercising can also help in diabetes, and it is always beneficial to consult diabetologists online or in-person to treat diabetes. Even walking regularly can help to keep a balanced weight, promotes higher energy levels, keeps blood vessels healthy, and can make you feel better.  

Diabetes Diet

The foods that can be considered to include in your diet for a diabetic person are:

  • Non-starchy vegetables such as carrots, beans, tomatoes, broccoli, green peas, and potatoes
  • Oatmeal
  • Dried beans & legumes
  • Papaya, watermelon, grapes, banana, and oranges
  • Fish
  • Eggs
  • Chicken without skin
  • Cheese
  • Yoghurt
  • Peanuts and nuts
  • Whole wheat grains, rice, oats, and barley

Exercise for Diabetes

Here are some simple exercises you can start to keep your blood sugar levels at par. 

  • Walking
  • Bicycling
  • Swimming
  • Running & Jogging
  • Yoga
  • Aerobic Exercises
  • Stair Climbing
  • Pilates
  • Resistance Band Exercise
  • Callisthenic Exercises

Importance of Diet and Exercise in Treating Diabetes

Diabetes is a life-long disease and can be effectively managed with little modification in the lifestyle. There is a lot of importance of diet and exercise for a diabetic person, and also helps to maintain the HbA1c values. A higher level of HbA1c values can lead to serious complications with your feet and eyes. 

Healthy eating and diabetes go in the opposite direction. Low insulin foods, green veggies, whole grains, and juicy fruits can help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of any further complications. A diabetic person should understand the importance of diet and exercise to keep you out of danger. 

And, the second most important point is to understand the benefits of exercising in diabetes as this helps the body to use insulin in a better way. Also, it will strengthen your bones and heart, increase blood circulation, and help in managing stress. It is advisable to exercise for a minimum of 30-40 minutes 5 days a week. If you are a beginner, you can start with 10-15 minutes a day and then slowly extend your time of exercising. Physical activity vitalizes the body, allows the muscle to absorb and use blood sugar to produce more energy without insulin. 

Medical Treatment for Diabetes

Once you’re diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will ask you to undertake many other tests to know the type of diabetes- type 1 or type 2, as both these conditions require different diabetes medications. The medical treatment for diabetes suggested by a health care provider may be:

  • Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose
  • Healthy Eating
  • Physical Exercise
  • Weight Loss
  • Diabetes medications or insulin therapy

Undertaking all the above steps along with online consultation of diabetologists can help to normalize blood sugar levels which can avoid or delay any further complications. 

Mediflam: Consult Top Dietitian Online

With the world going digital, it has become very easy to come in contact with doctors without wasting a single minute. Mediflam is an online health check-up provider, an initiative taken by the Flamingo group of companies. With Mediflam you can reach some of the top dietitians with just a click. 

So for any more details on online dietitian consultation, you can contact our health service provider or visit our website. We will be happy to serve you. 

How to book an appointment with Mediflam’s Dietitian for Online Consultation?

  1. Visit our website- Mediflam, to consult the best dietitians.
  2. Go to the “dietician” category to search your top dietitians (we have male/female both listed);
  3. You have the option of audio call and video call both to select from, with different time slots, book the appointment as per your preference;
  4. And, then follow the steps for the checkout procedure;

Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes

  1. What are the first symptoms of being Diabetic?

The first symptoms of being Diabetic can be: peeing a lot, feeling hungrier, feeling thirstier, itchy skin, dry mouth, or blurred vision. 

  1. What food causes diabetes?

Food that can cause diabetes is sugar-sweetened drinks, white bread, pasta, rice, fruit-flavoured yoghurt, artificial trans-fat foods such as frozen dinner, peanut butter, bakery goods, muffins, and so on. 

  1. What food a diabetic should not eat?

The following food a diabetic patient should avoid such as flavoured coffee drinks, maple syrup, honey, dried fruits, packaged snack foods, fruit juices, fruit flavoured yoghurts, white rice, pasta, white bread, trans-fat foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages. 

  1. What is the best time to exercise for diabetics?

It is suggested to exercise before 30 minutes of any meal of the day, that is an empty stomach. 

  1. How much exercise is recommended for diabetics?

The best exercises for diabetes are cycling, walking, swimming, any favourite sports, resistance exercise & training, weightlifting, and aerobic dancing. 

  1. What is the best treatment for diabetes?

There is no treatment for diabetes but people suffering from this hormonal imbalance, but patients can manage the condition by eating healthy, exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced weight, and regularly consulting diabetologists online.


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