It is never good news to hear about the possibility of diabetes or attempt to live a normal life after you have developed the condition. There are actually some pretty simple things that can be done each day that are known to lower your chances for diabetes and to help you live a healthier life.


If your child is diagnosed with Diabetes, make keeping track of their blood sugar fun. Have a contest where they get a reward for doing their blood sugar on time every day for a certain number of days, like a trip to the toy store or an hour at the park.

Diabetics should never EVER skip a meal! If you’ve planned to eat, then you must eat, or else your medication can drop your blood sugar so low you end up getting very sick. At least have a drink of juice or milk and some of your food so that your body gets a boost of energy.

It’s okay to reuse lancets on your blood glucose monitor, or syringes when you inject yourself with insulin. As long as you’re not sharing then there is next to no real danger in reusing either, so change them when they begin to hurt you, or at least once a month.

If you are diabetic, be sure to wear loose-fitting socks and stockings. Special socks are available for diabetics that have more stretch around the ankles and legs, to provide better comfort and circulation, as well as, to help keep your feet and legs healthier. Good circulation is imperative for the legs and feet of diabetics.

Diabetics can help to avoid drastic changes in post-workout glucose levels by taking added steps to monitor their levels, as often as 45 minutes following a particularly rigorous exercise routine. Because glucose levels can continue to drop for an entire day after workouts, this will keep you from being caught unaware.

If you’re diabetic, beware coupons! Most coupons to be found, are often, for items that aren’t healthy, like pop, crackers or chips. Do not use a coupon just because you have it! You might save 50 cents today, but the cost of medications to deal with an obesity-related illness later, will add up to much more.

If you find that your A1C levels are disproportionately higher than your typical blood glucose levels, the problem may be that you are measuring your pre-meal levels, which does not give you an accurate reading. Your average levels may not accurately reflect readings that are taken before, during, and after eating your meals.

Get enough sleep! It is important to get a sufficient amount of sleep if you suffer from Diabetes. Lack of sleep can disrupt your hormones, which in turn could raise your blood sugar. If you find that you have tried everything to get more sleep, but nothing works, talk to your doctor for further options.

No matter how you are feeling, it is critical that you keep an eye on glucose levels and your overall diet. Because a low glucose level can also cause dehydration, you should drink water frequently.

Don’t use urine ketone body tests exclusively as a means of testing your blood sugar. While this type of testing can show you if your urine has high ketone levels, that only lets you know your blood glucose levels are over 200 milligrams for each deciliter. To get around this problem, the ADA suggests that testing methods with high accuracy, such as test strips and finger sticking, be used.

When it comes to dealing with diabetes, it is important to know that medication can definitely help you but it is not always the cure for the disease. This is important because this medication can sometimes be extremely expensive and it may become frustrating if you do not see the results you expect.

If you have diabetes, it is very important for you to listen to everything your doctor has to say to you. He or she will provide you with the information you need in order to correctly maintain your condition so it does not have to take control of your life. The advice that the doctor gives you should not be taken lightly.

Afraid of diabetes? Its time to start exercising. Not only will we get that body that we always wanted if we exercise, but also we will lessen our chance of getting diabetes. Every calorie we burn on that treadmill can add time to our life. If you are looking for reasons to exercise think of how much you can extend your life by dedicating that 30 minutes everyday.

Diabetics are much more prone to gum disease, therefore proper mouth care is vital. Careful brushing and flossing of the teeth are a necessity and frequent dental visits may be needed. Avoid dentures that are ill fitting and may cause mouth sores. Follow these tips for a healthy dental check up if you have diabetes.

A big myth with regards to diabetes is that people with diabetes must completely change their diets and switch over to special diabetic foods. However, this is simply not the case. With anything, you can eat anything as long as it is in moderation and if you are exercising and taking your insulin according to how your physician prescribed.

When following a diabetic diet, understand that you can make certain exchanges to prevent becoming bored with your diet and being tempted to “cheat”. Foods on a diabetic diet are categorized as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. You will be given lists of these foods, and you can exchange one for another of equal values. For example, you could have half a cup of cooked pasta, or a small baked or boiled potato, or a slice of bread.

If you follow all or some of these helpful tips, you will reduce your body’s likelihood of developing diabetes and living through years of intense medical treatment, ongoing pain, and drastic changes to your diet. They also make your body generally healthier, which is something everyone should strive for, regardless of their condition.