My gym friend, Krishna and I can’t start the day without hitting the gym together. It has been more than a decade since we began exercising, and it has become a habit. Our favourite conversations are about food, fitness and exercise. During one of those conversations, he told me that he was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago and that he is always trying to make lifestyle changes to manage his blood sugar levels.
I was concerned about his health and kept a close eye on his daily routine. We often discussed his conscious food choices, workout habits, and doctor-prescribed medications to manage common diabetes symptoms like fatigue and irregular hunger pangs. Since he loves the gym, he consulted our instructor and checked with his doctor before adjusting his routine to ensure low energy or hunger pangs didn’t interfere with his workouts.
Being a responsible caregiver
While Krishna was working on setting up a routine, I started reading more about diabetes so I could support him in his health journey. While reading a blog post on diabetes management, I came across Ensure Diabetes Care and suggested it to Manav, who then asked his doctor about it.
On his doctor’s recommendation, he started drinking Ensure Diabetes Care before his gym sessions. Ensure Diabetes Care is the #1 selling diabetes nutrition drink in the world.1 He observed that he was able to manage his blood sugar levels in 4 weeks.2 Its Triple Care System3 of high fibre, high-quality protein, and 36 nutrients helped him to manage common diabetes symptoms like frequently feeling tired and irregular hunger pangs.
Apart from adding Ensure Diabetes Care to his routine, the other lifestyle changes he followed were:
Fiber-Packed Meals:
Starting the day with a bowl of oats4 topped with seeds and berries became his habit. It’s simple but effective for stabilizing blood sugar.
High-Quality Proteins:
Including more protein-rich foods like lentils and dal in meals helped reduce post-meal sugar spikes while keeping hunger pangs at bay. My friend told me how the protein content in food helps him manage diabetes better and reduces hunger.5
Portion Control:
A small trick that ensured mindful eating was to serve smaller meal plates for himself.
Hydration Habits:
Regular hydration became his second nature whether he was at the gym or work.
Ensure Diabetes Care as my Friend’s buddy
One thing I’ve learned is that living with diabetes doesn’t mean being part of a separate group nor should it be considered as a disease. Managing diabetes is about making better choices and sticking to them, though for a longer period.
Observing him manage diabetes well with small but sustainable changes made me share his diabetes management journey with my readers. From rethinking his meals to incorporating diabetes-specific nutritional support like Ensure Diabetes Care, these efforts have made his life healthier and more fulfilling.
The most important takeaway? Don’t navigate this journey alone. Surround yourself with a support system and always consult your doctor before making changes. Living with diabetes is not a limitation. It’s a journey of better habits, shared meals, and the reassurance that you’re not alone.
I appreciate how my friend is managing his diabetes with regular exercise, medication prescribed by his doctor and Ensure Diabetes Care.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views, solely of the blogger. Always consult a nutritionist/doctor before making any changes to your diet. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Abbott Healthcare Private Limited (Nutrition Division).
Abbott ID IN-ENS-APR-2025-1743735667
References:
- Source: Euromonitor International Limited; total global retail sales in 2024 for diabetic diet enhancer drinks. Euromonitor and Abbott calculation based in part on custom research conducted between September and October 2024 and Euromonitor Passport Consumer Health 2025 based on 2024 data.
- There was significant reduction in HbA1c & FBS in the intervention group compared to control at 1st month & at the end of the study when used along with lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese adults with T2DM. Mohan V et al. J. Assoc. Phys. Ind. 2019; 67(12) 25-30
- Akhlaghi M. The role of dietary fibers in regulating appetite, an overview of mechanisms and weight. consequences. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2024;64(10):3139-3150.
- Chen, V., Zurbau, et. al. (2022). Effect of oats and oat ß-glucan on glycemic control in diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 10(5), e002784. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2022-002784
- Due to fibre, slow release carbohydrate system there is reduction in fasting, post-prandial blood glucose, glycemic variability and HbA1c levels help to reduce hunger pangs. Akhlaghi M. The role of dietary fibers in regulating appetite, an overview of mechanisms and weight consequences. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2024;64(10):3139- 3150.
Reading this made me reflect on my own friendships. You’re not just helping Krishna—you’re also inspiring others to be more supportive and health-aware.
Loved the simple but effective habit changes—especially the smaller plates and staying hydrated. It shows how everyday tweaks can really add up.
This post is a reminder that you don’t have to give up your passions, like the gym, just because of a diagnosis. Krishna is proof that you can adapt and thrive.
Managing diabetes with a positive mindset and support from loved ones is so important. This story is such a great example of that
That oats and berries breakfast idea sounds so good. I’m going to try it myself—diabetic or not, it’s such a nourishing way to start the day.
I didn’t know about Ensure Diabetes Care until now, but hearing how it fits into an active lifestyle like Krishna’s is really reassuring.
It’s inspiring how you took the initiative to learn more just to be a better support system. That’s what true friendship looks like.
Thank you for sharing Krishna’s routine. These small, practical tips like portion control and hydration are easy to follow yet make a big difference.
I love the message that diabetes doesn’t mean isolation. That line about it not being a separate group really hit home—so true and empowering.
This is such a thoughtful post. It’s heartwarming to see how deeply you care for your friend and how involved you are in his health journey.