Tips on managing diabetes including meal choices & physical activity

In addition to taking your Levemir® as prescribed by your doctor, meal choices, regular physical activity, and monitoring your blood sugar are essential activities to managing your diabetes. Here are some suggestions to incorporate these healthy habits into your lifestyle:

• Plan ahead. Going away for a few days? Make sure you refill your prescriptions. And if you’re taking insulin in vials, check with your doctor to see if Levemir® FlexPen® is right for you. Once in use, Levemir® FlexPen® is a prefilled insulin pen that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. And it’s simple to use. Plus, it travels well day-to-day and on trips.
  
  
• Move it! Most people hate the word “exercise.” But you’d never guess what counts as exercise. Cleaning your house is one option. Or walking around the block. Even planting flowers counts. If you have ideas about ways to keep moving, be sure to check with your doctor before you start any kind of exercise plan. He or she can help you develop a physical activity plan that's right for you.
  
  
• Meal Choices. Everyone loves to eat out. But it can sometimes lead you to stray from a healthful diet. If you worry about making healthy choices when you eat out, here are some tips to help you:
  • Chew wisely. When it comes to reading a menu, there are many options to choose from. But what’s the healthiest option? Watch how much fat, salt, and calories are in the food you eat. And remember, you can never have too many nutritious leafy greens in your diet.
  • Save some for later. Take your time when you’re eating. Enjoy the table conversation. And if you can, take home your leftovers. Or ask your server if you can order a half portion. Then you won’t need to worry about overeating.
    
    
• Check often and keep track! Checking your blood sugar levels often and writing them down in a diary can help you manage your diabetes (not to mention your doctor will surely be impressed). When you track your numbers, you’ll have an idea of how well you’re doing on therapy or if any patterns develop in your blood sugar levels. It’s easy to check and keep track when you have one convenient place to keep your results, such as a blood sugar diary. You can get a free Blood Sugar Diary by clicking here to help you begin self monitoring your blood sugar.