Living well with type 2 diabetes

Everyday ways to look after yourself with type 2 diabetes, using Diabetes Canada's ABCDEs: A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, medicines that protect your heart, healthy habits, checkups and support.

6 min read · last reviewed October 3, 2026

Living with type 2 diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint. You don't have to be perfect. What counts is what you do most days, over months and years. And the effort pays off: people who look after their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol lower their chances of heart, kidney, eye and nerve problems a great deal.

This guide uses Diabetes Canada's ABCDEs, a simple way to remember what matters most.

A is for A1C

Your A1C shows your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Many adults aim for 7.0% or lower, but your team will set the target that's right for you.

• Have your A1C checked as often as your team suggests, often every 3 months at first.
• Ask whether you need to check your blood sugar at home. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, you'll likely check regularly. If you take medicines that don't cause lows, you may not need to check often, or your team may suggest checking at certain times to learn how food and activity affect you.
• Look for patterns rather than worrying about any single number.

B is for blood pressure

High blood pressure strains your heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. For most people with diabetes, Diabetes Canada suggests a target below 130/80.

• Ask whether checking at home would help. Many pharmacies have free machines.
• Cutting back on salt, being active and taking your blood pressure medicines all help.

C is for cholesterol

Many adults with type 2 diabetes are offered a cholesterol-lowering medicine, such as a statin, to protect the heart and blood vessels. Ask whether it's right for you.

D is for drugs to protect your heart

Besides statins, some people benefit from blood pressure medicines that protect the kidneys (such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs), and from diabetes medicines with heart and kidney benefits (some SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 medicines). Ask your team, "Am I on the medicines that protect my heart and kidneys?"

Something you can do today: Take your medicine list to your pharmacist and ask, "Which of these protect my heart?"

E is for exercise and eating

• Move most days. Build up to about 150 minutes a week of activity like brisk walking, plus strength exercises 2 to 3 times a week. A short walk after meals is a great start.
• Eat in a way that works for you. There's no single diabetes diet. Fill half your plate with vegetables, choose high-fibre carbs, and swap sugary drinks for water.
• Aim for steady progress, not a perfect plan.

See Eating well with diabetes and Moving more with diabetes for more ideas.

S is for screening, smoking and self-care

Screening for complications

Regular checks find problems early, when they're easiest to treat:

• Eye exam at diagnosis, then usually every 1 to 2 years.
• Kidney tests (a blood test called eGFR and a urine albumin test) at least once a year.
• Foot exam by your team at least once a year.

Stop smoking

If you smoke or vape, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart, blood vessels, feet and kidneys. Counselling and stop-smoking medicines make it more likely to work. Ask your team or pharmacist for help.

Self-care and stress

Stress, poor sleep and low mood can push blood sugar up and make self-care harder. Diabetes distress is very common. Tell your team if you're struggling, and see Diabetes and your feelings.

Look after your feet, every day

Diabetes can reduce feeling and blood flow in your feet, so small injuries can turn into bigger problems if they aren't noticed.

• Look at your feet every day, including the soles and between your toes. Use a mirror or ask someone to help.
• Wash and dry them well, especially between the toes. Moisturize the tops and bottoms, but not between the toes.
• Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks. Avoid walking barefoot, even at home.
• Cut nails straight across, or have a foot care professional do it.
• Don't use corn removers or sharp tools on your feet.
• Call your team the same day for a cut, blister, sore, crack, redness, warmth or swelling, even if it doesn't hurt.

Something you can do today: Check your feet tonight before bed, and make it part of your routine.

Other parts of your health

• Teeth and gums: see a dentist regularly. Gum disease is more common with diabetes and can make blood sugar harder to manage.
• Sexual health: diabetes can affect erections and vaginal dryness. These problems are common and treatable. It's okay to bring them up.
• Sleep: aim for 7 or more hours. Tell your team if you snore loudly or feel very tired in the day. Sleep apnea is common in type 2 diabetes.
• Vaccines: get a flu shot every year, and ask which other vaccines you need.
• Planning a pregnancy: if you could become pregnant, talk with your team before trying. Blood sugar and some medicines need to be adjusted before pregnancy.

Family and support

Type 2 diabetes runs in families. Encourage your parents, brothers, sisters and grown-up children to ask their doctor about a diabetes test. And let the people you love help: a walking buddy, someone to cook with, or a reminder to take your medicine all make life with diabetes easier.

Something you can do this week: Invite a family member or friend to join you for a walk or to cook a healthy meal together.

Questions to ask your care team

• What are my ABCDE targets?
• Am I on the medicines that protect my heart and kidneys?
• When are my next eye, kidney and foot checks due?
• How often should I check my blood sugar at home, if at all?
• Can you help me quit smoking?
• Should my family members be tested for diabetes?

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your health care team about your own situation. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

General information, not medical advice. It does not replace your own care team. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada and the US).

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