Diabetes and exercise
If you have diabetes, it’s important to exercise. Exercise lowers your blood sugar, helps control your weight and keeps your heart healthy. Try to exercise 30 minutes or more at least five times a week. Start slowly if you need to.
If you take insulin or pills (or both) that lowers your sugar, you should:
- Test your blood sugar before your exercise
- Eat a snack with carbohydrates and protein if your blood sugar is less than 120
- Eat another snack if you have exercised for more than 45 minutes
- Carry a sugar snack
- Check your blood sugar again after you exercise
You can control your blood sugar better if you plan ahead and know how your body will respond to exercise.
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