Managing diabetes mindfully means more than just monitoring blood sugar levels. It also means making prudent dietary choices to lower the risk of common health conditions associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Work with your physician and a dietician to create a meal plan that best suits your needs. Research has shown that several nutritional elements may be helpful in managing diabetes-related issues:

1. Eat more magnesium-rich foods such as spinach, tofu, almonds, broccoli, lentils, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
2. Increase intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as cold-water oily fish (wild salmon or halibut are two), fish oil supplements, walnuts and freshly ground flaxseed.
3. Choose foods that are lower on the glycemic index and have a low glycemic load, such as beans, lentils and sprouted grain breads.

If your goal is lower blood sugar, do not underestimate the value of regular physical activity. Make sure that your healthcare provider gives you the go ahead, and work toward a balance of weight training to challenge your muscles and cardiovascular exercise.

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