It’s the little things that matter in life. This statement is also appropriate when managing your diabetes. Making small changes can net big results towards managing your diabetes and overall health. Consider these five small changes with big results to help you live a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Make a commitment to exercise 10 minutes every day, or as recommended by members of your diabetes management team. You can manage to work 10 minutes or more into your day for your daily walk or other recommended exercise.

Eat healthily at each meal. You can even choose what healthy items to put on your plate. Check your blood sugar and you may be able to adjust what you eat for a meal. Eating healthily becomes a habit which helps you to control your blood sugar.

Skip the fast-food drive-through. This is one habit that you probably will not miss once you have a routine in place. Drive-through food is often unhealthy, even for those who do not have diabetes.

Learn to cook your favorite foods from scratch. Food that you cook at home tastes better than take-out or drive-through foods. Cooking from scratch allows you to eat healthily by avoiding convenience foods.

Eat mindfully. When you think about what you eat, you are less likely to continue eating once you are full, and to eat things that are unhealthy for you.