Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial, but try to spend at least 30 minutes a day engaged in some physical activity. This is especially important if you are overweight or have a history of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetic neuropathy. You may need special footwear to protect your feet.
In general the beat time to exercise is one to three hours after eating, when your blood sugar is likely to be higher. If you use insulin, it’s important to test your blood sugar before exercising. If the level before is below 100 mg/d, eating a piece of fruit or having a small snack will boost it and help you avoid hypoglycemia. If you take insulin, your risk of developing hypoglycemia may be highest 6-12 hours after exercising.
Because of the dangers associated with diabetes, always wear a medical alert bracelet indicating that you have diabetes and whether you take insulin. Also keep hard candy or glucose tablets with you while exercising in case your blood sugar drops precipitously.
Properly fitting footwear is necessary for anyone who exercises regularly, but it’s even more important for people with diabetes, who are more likely to have nerve damage that can affect the feet.
Source: Everyday Health, March 07, 2009
