Learning to live with diabetes isn’t an easy thing to do, but it certainly an essential thing. People with diabetes can and do live long and healthy lives.

There are many famous and accomplished people in all walks of life who have diabetes.

Jack Benny lived to be 80 years old. Mary Tyler Moore is 72 and going strong. Anwar Sadat lived to be only 63, but he was assassinated. Ray Kroc (the founder of McDonald’s) lived to be 82 and died of a heart problem unrelated to diabetes.

There are hundreds and hundreds of other very famous and very accomplished people who have lived long and productive lives and who also are diabetic. Your world isn’t going to end because you have diabetes.

On the other hand, life IS going to have to change if you want to be one of those diabetics who live long and productive lives. Lifestyle changes are inevitable, and the more quickly you can make the necessary changes and adapt to them, the better life is going to be.

1. Testing isn’t optional! You must test your blood sugar levels as often as your doctor recommends.

2. Diet: There are going to be some foods that are just simply off limits. Get over it. There are a great many very good foods that you CAN have.

3. Exercise isn’t optional either! You must get regular exercise in order to help control your diabetes. Follow your doctor’s suggestions.

4. You can’t skip meals.

5. You can’t overeat at a single meal.

6. Several small meals each day and at regular intervals is the best option.

Nobody is going to tell you that living with diabetes is a “piece of cake.” You probably shouldn’t have the cake anyway. But you CAN live with diabetes. You can live a very normal, very productive, and very long life if you abide by the rules.