When it comes to improving a healthy energy balance, eating less and exercising more would seem like common knowledge. But does this always apply to those with Type 2 diabetes?

When Eating Less is Good for You
When most people think of dieting or good health, they usually think of eating less. Because obesity is a major factor associated with diabetes Type 2, eating less can be almost as beneficial to the Type II diabetic, as it can be to anyone else:

• It can help you lose weight, increase energy levels, improve digestion, and lower stress.

• It may help to increase your lifespan.

• It may help to decrease acidity and constipation.

But is eating less beneficial in every case?

When Eating Less is Not So Good for You
For the Type II Diabetic, there are instances when eating less is not necessarily so good! One example would be when you eat filling food that’s healthy, low-glycemic, and high-fiber. It’s unlikely that anyone would suggest that eating fewer lettuce leaves is good for you! We can all overdo it, but generally, to eat food that is healthy – and more of it – would benefit all of us!

Some of you might say that healthy meals are not that simple. Delicious meals can be simple! Shop once a week, take your meal plan, and stock up on the staples! The simple delicious stew listed in this month’s recipe section is an example! And when you eat food that is healthy, you may be less inclined to give in to cravings (which may increase blood glucose levels), or starve yourself to make up for it (risking dangerously low sugar levels).

When Exercising More is Good for You
Because under-activity is another major factor associated with diabetes, exercising more can have almost as many benefits for the Type II diabetic as it does for the general population:

• It can lower your body fat and increase your metabolism.

• It can burn calories and help you lose weight.

• It can lower your blood pressure and insulin sensitivity.

• It can increase your muscle mass and strength.

 
When Exercising More is Not So Good for You
There are times when, as a Type II Diabetic, exercising more is not so good for you. While the right kind of exercise can lower your blood glucose levels, too much exercise, too intensely, can send a stress signal to the body to increase your blood sugar levels! This is why it is so important to speak with your doctor concerning the right amount of exercise, and to monitor your blood sugar levels when you exercise. A heart rate watch, which can measure your average, peak, and minimum heart rate, is also very helpful.

Maintaining an energy balance is important for everyone, but it’s all the more important with Type II Diabetes! Follow the guidelines above, and a healthy energy balance will be as easy as pie! (Oops – did I say that?)