Managing Type 2 Diabetes br br See more here: br br br br Managing Type 2 Diabetes br Treatment for diabetes aims to keep your blood glucose levels as normal as possible and control your symptoms to prevent health problems developing later in life. br If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your GP will be able to explain your condition in detail and help you understand your treatment. br They'll also closely monitor your condition to identify any health problems that may occur. If there are any problems, you may be referred to a hospital-based diabetes care team. br Making lifestyle changes br If you're diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you'll need to look after your health very carefully for the rest of your life. br This may seem daunting, but your diabetes care team will be able to give you support and advice about all aspects of your treatment. br After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or if you're at risk of developing the condition, the first step is to look at your diet and lifestyle and make any necessary changes. br Three major areas that you'll need to look closely at are: br • eating healthily br • losing weight if you're overweight br • exercising regularly br You may be able to keep your blood glucose at a safe and healthy level without the need for other types of treatment. br Managing Type 2 Diabetes br Diet br Increasing the amount of fibre in your diet and reducing your sugar and fat intake, particularly saturated fat, can help prevent type 2 diabetes, as well as manage the condition if you already have it. br You should: br • increase your consumption of high-fibre foods, such as wholegrain bread and cereals, beans and lentils, and fruit and vegetables br • choose foods that are low in fat – replace butter, ghee and coconut oil with low-fat spreads and vegetable oil br • choose skimmed and semi-skimmed milk, and low-fat yoghurts br • eat fish and lean meat rather than fatty or processed meat, such as sausages and burgers br • grill, bake, poach or steam food instead of frying or roasting it br • avoid high-fat foods, such as mayonnaise, chips, crisps, pasties, poppadoms and samosas br • eat fruit, unsalted nuts and low-fat yoghurts as snacks instead of cakes, biscuits, bombay mix or crisps br The Diabetes UK website has more information and advice about healthy eating. br Weight br If you're overweight or obese – you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over – you should lose weight by gradually reducing your calorie intake and becoming more physically active. br Losing 5-10 of your overall body weight over the course of a year is a realistic initial target. br You should aim to continue to lose weight until you've achieved and maintained a BMI within the healthy range, which is: br • 18.5-24.9kgm² for the general population br • 18.5-22.9kgm² for people of south Asian or Chinese origin – south Asian includes people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indian-Caribbean, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka br If you have a BMI of 30kgm² or more (27.5kgm² or more for people of south Asian or Chinese origin), you need a structured weight loss programme, which should form part of an intensive lifestyle change programme. br To help you achieve changes in your behaviour, you may be referred to a dietititian or a similar healthcare professional for a personal assessment and tailored advice about diet and physical activity. br Managing Type 2 Diabetes br Physical activity br Being physically active is very important in preventing or managing type 2 diabetes.