Managing Type 2 Diabetes with Diet and Exercise

Dr. Balamurugan Karuppan

Internal Medicine Specialist · Iswarya Hospital

Type 2 diabetes can be managed — and even reversed in early stages — with the right combination of dietary changes and physical activity.

India has over 77 million people with Type 2 diabetes — the second-highest in the world. Lifestyle changes are the most powerful tool available.

Choose complex carbs over refined ones: brown rice, whole wheat, oats

Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables

Limit sugar-sweetened beverages

Eat smaller, more frequent meals to prevent spikes

Choose lean proteins: fish, chicken, legumes, tofu

White rice, white bread, maida products

Sugary drinks, sweets, mithai

Deep-fried foods

Processed meats

150 minutes/week of moderate aerobic exercise (brisk walking, cycling, swimming)

2–3 sessions/week of strength training

Break sitting time every 30 minutes

Home blood glucose monitoring

HbA1c every 3 months

Annual eye, kidney, and foot checks

Many people with Type 2 diabetes need medication or insulin alongside lifestyle changes. Never stop medication without consulting your doctor.

Our Internal Medicine team at Iswarya Hospital provides comprehensive diabetes care and personalised management plans.

Tags:

#diabetes#diet#exercise#lifestyle

Book an appointment with our expert team at Iswarya Hospital, OMR Chennai.