Countless books and articles detail how to adopt a French lifestyle. Ranging from how to dress like a French woman to how to enjoy food the French way, there is an undeniable appeal to the way the French live.

Diabetic Francophiles are in great luck: diabetes patients can adopt 5 lifestyle habits borrowed from the French for better overall health and longevity.

#1. Make Movement a Habit

Movement need not be a massive, dedicated ordeal each and every day. Rather than spending an hour in the gym, incorporate movement into every aspect of your day. You can park further away from work, take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator, extend your dog’s walk from around the block to a mile or so—the possibilities are endless. Even adding an afternoon stretch at your desk will help keep your activity level up and your blood sugar down.

#2. Eat Smaller Portions

Researchers have long pondered the supposed “French Paradox,” which details how the French people are skinnier and healthier than Americans, but eat decadent, rich foods. The difference often lies in portion sizes. While Americans eat fewer individual foods, they eat larger portions of each (sometimes even twice as much). In contrast, French habits encourage smaller potions and more diverse foods.

#3. Enjoy Indulgences…and Leave Them There

An indulgence is so named for its occasional use. Consuming a massive piece of chocolate cake is not an indulgence; it is a habit. You don’t have to swear off all of your favorite foods forever, but you should treat them as occasional indulgences, not everyday staples. Close out your day with some tea and a square of dark chocolate, or start your lunch with some diluted fruit juice.

#4. Take Inventory of Your Needs

Never consider your body’s dietary and exercise needs static. Instead, take inventory of what does and does not work for you regularly and adjust according to what you need. Some months, your blood sugar might be fine with a healthy dose of berries every morning, and others, you might need to cut back on natural sugars. Listen to your body’s wisdom and work with it.

#5. Make Food a Pleasure

Food ought to be treated as a pleasure, not a chore. Although this can be difficult with the dietary restrictions placed on diabetes patients, make an adventure of finding rich, delicious recipes that fall within the parameters of your nutrition needs. Treat mealtimes with care and consideration, making them an event to celebrate rather than a source of guilt.