What is affecting my blood sugar right now, and is insulin resistance part of the picture?
Health Conditions
Pre-Diabetes & Type 2 Diabetes
Improve blood sugar and metabolic health
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are closely connected to how your body processes glucose, including insulin resistance. Lifestyle medicine can work alongside your medical care to improve blood sugar control and metabolic health and, for some people, help prevent progression or support type 2 diabetes remission.
Proactive care
A lifestyle medicine approach for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes may include:
- Nutrition changes: Choosing more whole, nutrient-dense foods to support blood sugar and metabolic health
- Physical activity: Using movement and strength-building activity to improve how your body uses glucose
- Restorative sleep: Improving the quality and consistency of sleep
- Stress management: Finding healthy ways to manage stress and its effects on your health
- Care team support: Getting ongoing guidance, feedback, and help adjusting your plan
- Medication when needed: Using medication as part of a comprehensive, personalized care plan
This isn’t a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all approach. Lifestyle medicine care is personalized and adjusted over time, with your clinician or care team helping you make changes safely and sustainably.
Questions to ask your care team
Which lifestyle changes could make the biggest difference for my blood sugar and overall health?
What should we track, such as my A1C or fasting blood sugar, to know whether my plan is working?
How do my medications fit into this plan, and how will we know if they need to be adjusted?
What additional support could help me, such as a dietitian, health coach, care team, or group program?
Lifestyle Pillars for Preventing and Treating Type 2 Diabetes
An overview of how evidence-based lifestyle habits can help prevent, manage, and potentially improve type 2 diabetes.
Best for: People with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who want to understand how daily habits can support better health.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which lifestyle changes could have the greatest impact on my blood sugar?” to your next visit.
Important: Lifestyle changes may affect blood sugar levels and medication needs. Monitor your blood sugar as directed and work with your clinician before changing medications.
Type 2 Diabetes and Plant-Based Nutrition
An overview of how a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern may support blood sugar management and overall health.
Best for: People with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who want to explore plant-based nutrition.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “How can I safely add more whole plant foods while managing my blood sugar and medications?” to your next visit.
Important: Nutrition changes may affect blood sugar and medication needs. Make significant changes in partnership with your healthcare team.
Why Lifestyle Matters for Managing Type 2 Diabetes
An introduction to how evidence-based lifestyle changes can support better blood sugar and help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.
Best for: People with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who want to take an active role in managing their health through lifestyle changes.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which lifestyle changes could make the biggest difference for me, and how should I track to know these changes are working?” to your next visit.
Important: You do not need to change everything at once. Small, consistent lifestyle changes can be an important part of diabetes care. Before making major changes to your lifestyle, talk with your clinician about what is safe and appropriate for you.