10 ways to Live A Healthy Life With Diabetes
Aug 20, 2025
Living with diabetes does not mean giving up on a good life; it means learning how to live well and thrive with it. In 2025, over 1.5 million Australians are living with diabetes, and that number continues to grow. But the good news is, with the right knowledge and consistent efforts, you can manage the condition and enjoy a healthy life...
If you’ve just been diagnosed or managing diabetes for years, dive into the essentials with us—smart eating, staying active, regular checkups, and simple lifestyle tweaks—all with easy, practical tips to help you thrive.
Food: The Foundation of Control
Your diet is the first and most important step towards managing diabetes. Healthy eating with diabetes isn’t about strict limitations but about making mindful choices that stabilise blood sugar levels.
Here’s what your plate should look like:
- Whole grains, like brown rice, oats or barley instead of white rice and processed carbs.
- Non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, leafy greens, zucchini and bell peppers.
- Lean proteins like tofu, cottage cheese, fish or legumes.
- Good fats from nuts, seeds, olive oil, or avocados (in moderation).
- Low GI foods like berries, apples or pears instead of mangoes or bananas.
You can also use portion control plates, meal prep containers or even smart measuring cups to help regulate quantity without stressing.
Exercise: Non-negotiable
According to Diabetes Australia, regular movement of your body is a cornerstone of managing diabetes.
- Aim for 30 minutes of any moderate activity at least five days a week- walking, swimming or cycling are great picks.
- Resistance training, such as bodyweight exercises or light dumbbells, improves insulin sensitivity.
- Use fitness trackers and wear footwear designed for diabetic people to monitor movement and avoid complications like foot ulcers, infections and injuries.
Health Impacts of Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can silently lead to long-term complications. The health issues for diabetic patients aren’t just about sugar levels - they ripple through their entire body.
High blood sugar affects:
- nerves (Diabetic neuropathy)
- Eyes (Diabetic retinopathy)
- Kidneys (Diabetic nephropathy)
- Heart
- Immunity, making infections harder to fight
Including a trace-element supplement like Fulhealth Industries Zinc Colloid Concentrate helps in strengthening immunity and managing diabetes.
Diseases You’re More Likely to Get
If diabetes isn’t managed well, here are some conditions you might be more vulnerable to:
- Heart diseases
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Eye damage or blindness
- Foot ulcers and infections like gangrene
- Gum disease
- Depression and anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnoea
- Dementia (in older adults)
Recognising the health risks of diabetes helps you stay proactive.
Plant-based supplements like Nature’s Sunshine Berberine may help reduce insulin resistance and lower the risk of complications like heart disease and high blood sugar.
10 Ways to Stay on Track with Diabetes
Whether you were diagnosed recently or years ago, these tips keep your daily life on track:
- Follow a diabetes-friendly diet plan. Consult a dietitian for assistance.
- Move daily, even if it’s just stretching or walking after meals.
- Check your blood glucose levels regularly.
- Take treatments as prescribed.
- Manage stress through breathing techniques, meditation or journaling.
- Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep and maintain a bedtime routine.
- Dehydration can spike your blood sugar, so stay hydrated!
- Avoid smoking and reduce alcohol as they can worsen complications.
- Keep a symptom diary where you can track what works and what triggers your sugar levels.
- Seek support from online forums, therapists or diabetic communities.
Essential Checkups with Diabetes
Routine health screenings are key for managing diabetes. Based on guidelines from the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) in Australia:
- HbA1c tests should be done every 3-6 months to check long-term sugar control.
- Annual eye examinations for early signs of Diabetic retinopathy.
- Urine and blood tests every year.
- Regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks. Foot checks annually or more often if you have Diabetic neuropathy.
- Dental checkups every 6-12 months to prevent gum diseases.
Adding a blend like Henry Blooms Magnesium Complex Powder helps in supporting nerve, muscle and heart health between check-ups!
Use a diabetes health logbook (if you have one) or digital tracker to schedule and record these visits.
Diabetes is a Chronic Condition
Yes, diabetes is a chronic health condition, but with modern support tools and awareness, you don’t have to feel like it controls your life. Managing it becomes easier once it becomes a part of your routine.
Supportive supplements like Blackmores Sugar Balance Chromium Formula can be a helpful addition to your daily routine.
Think of it like brushing your teeth-you don’t skip it just because you’re tired. Similarly, your diabetes care schedule should be a part of your self-love routine.
Lifestyle Changes That Make a Difference
Building a sustainable lifestyle for a diabetic person doesn’t happen overnight, but small consistent tweaks go a long way:
- Switch to whole-food-based eating habits.
- Use a standing desk if you work long hours.
- Add a stress relief routine like journaling, yoga or something small like a stress ball.
- Prioritise mental health support since diabetes and depression are often connected.
- Invest in diabetes-friendly cooking tools like air fryers or slow cookers.
A fibre supplement like Morlife Organic InulinPlus Powder can help slow carbohydrate absorption, support digestive health, and stabilise blood sugar levels.
And honestly, the goal should not be perfection but progress.
On a Final Note
Healthy living with diabetes is about showing up for yourself every day, in small ways that add up. Whether it’s making time for a walk, choosing oats over white bread, or booking that overdue eye check-up- these are all wins!
Let your diabetes diagnosis be a wake-up call, not a roadblock. You’ve got this.
