Healthy Diet

• According to the Mayo Clinic, triglyceride levels should be below 150. Diabetics tend to have higher blood sugar levels in their systems and because blood sugar levels directly affect triglyceride levels, diet is key for diabetics in reducing their triglycerides. One way to help get your triglyceride levels down if you are diabetic is by eating more raw fruits and vegetables. Raw fruits and vegetables are known to help lower blood sugar levels as well as triglycerides.
  
  Eat a diet high in fiber and bran. These will naturally reduce your triglyceride levels. Drink plenty of water, at least six to eight glasses each day, and stay away from alcohol. Alcohol is known to raise triglycerides as well as sodas and coffee.
  
  

Exercise

• Exercise is very important if you live with diabetes. It will keep your blood sugar down and will reduce your triglyceride levels as well. At the minimum, exercise three times a week. Walk for 30 minutes, do yoga or aerobics, swim, weight-train, jog, bike -- anything that raises your heart rate.
  
  Exercise uses triglycerides for energy during workouts, especially during a long-duration workout. It also uses stored fat. Exercise will not only lower triglycerides, but it will help raise your HDL, your good cholesterol.
  
  Your body goes through metabolic changes when exercising. Exercising gives you better utilization of energy by the tissues in your body, which will help reduce blood triglyceride levels.
  
  

Avoid Fats

• If you are diabetic, fat should be eaten only in moderate amounts. Avoid saturated fats in animal products. High-fat meats are high in triglycerides. The skin on poultry is very high in triglycerides, as are many types of sauces. Avoid skin on chicken and turkey. Eat lean cuts of meat, such as lean red meats, pork, sirloin, and tenderloin.
  
  Eat more fish, foods that do not have hydrogenated or trans fats, and lower-fat food items. Other foods lower in triglycerides are fat-free cheese; low-fat or fat-free dairy products, olive oil, canola oil, walnut oil, and flaxseed oil. Stay away from butter, shortening and lard.
  
  Fast-food restaurants usually always have very high-fat and caloric foods. Avoid them. Instead, choose grilled or baked items from fast-food menus. Also avoid fats in such foods as lunchmeats, hot dogs, and fatty snack foods. Do not substitute foods high in sugar for high-fat foods. They can have high triglycerides as well.
  
  If you are diabetic and tracking triglycerides, have your blood lipids checked regularly --- approximately every two to three months.