Dietary Improvement Combined with Exercise

Medications are added to diet and exercise therapy when blood-sugar levels exceed your recommended goals.

Although some patients can control their blood sugar and avoid taking medication by following their meal plans and getting regular exercise, most eventually require the help of medications as well.

Typically, a single medication is added to diet and exercise, using the smallest dose that will help you achieve the desired blood-sugar range.

All medications (including insulin) work best when you follow dietary guidelines designed by a registered dietitian (RD). By following your meal plan, you may be able to control your diabetes with low doses of a single medication.

It is worthwhile to keep your medication plan as simple as you can for as long as possible.