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Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
June 17
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How Long Does It Take for A1c To Improve With Exercise and Diet? Read Article...
A DiabetesTeam Member

An A1C of 7 is something many people work hard to achieve, so give yourself some credit for that. If you are looking to bring it down further, it might help to look for patterns in your blood sugar readings, especially after meals and overnight. Sometimes small adjustments to food choices, activity, meal timing, or medication discussions with your care team can make a difference. Curious what others with type 2 have found most helpful for getting from the low 7s into the 6s.

June 23
A DiabetesTeam Member

Good for you. Congratulations.

June 17
A DiabetesTeam Member

I’m just had my yearly checkup
Type two for something like twenty years now
HbAIC came in at 5.1
I eat minimal minimal carbs, high fat (good fats) tonnes vegetables and fruit n nuts
Greek background love to cook
Numbers been like that for years

June 17
DiabetesTeam

Getting an A1C below 7 can feel like a tough puzzle, but there are several strategies that may help. The good news is that many people with type 2 diabetes have successfully lowered their A1C through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication adjustments.

Here are some approaches worth discussing with your doctor:

Di Show Full Answer

Getting an A1C below 7 can feel like a tough puzzle, but there are several strategies that may help. The good news is that many people with type 2 diabetes have successfully lowered their A1C through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication adjustments.

Here are some approaches worth discussing with your doctor:

Diet Changes
- Mediterranean-style eating — more plants, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats
- Low-carb eating — limiting carbs to around 26–45% of daily calories
- Very low-carb — under 26% of daily calories from carbs
- Low-fat eating — keeping total fat under 30% of daily calories
- DASH eating plan — focused on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein

Other Strategies
- Regular physical activity (ask your doctor what's safest for you)
- Medication review — your doctor may adjust or add medications
- Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track trends Some DiabetesTeam members have shared encouraging results. One member shared: "My A1C was 14% at diagnosis. With diet, exercise, and antidiabetes meds, I'm at 6.7% now." Another said they brought their A1C from 6.9% down to the 5.4–5.8 range through diet and weight loss alone.

Everyone's journey is different, so working closely with your healthcare provider to build a personalized plan is really the key. Small, consistent changes can add up over time — don't get discouraged!

June 17

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