The idea of pricking your finger each day isn’t what scares people about diabetes. It is things like diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease associated with diabetes, that really bring on the fear. Keep your diabetes in check so that your chance of developing complications will be minimized. Managing diabetes is not easy, but it’s possible and can effectively eliminate the need for medication.

Simplify your life with organization and routine. For instance, choose a spot to keep your insulin and meter, and make sure you put them there each and every night, so you know right where they are when you need them in the morning. Stick to a routine when testing your blood sugar, and you are less likely to miss a step or forget to log your levels.

TIP! You’ll be surprised at the number of items containing corn syrup, so check labels, and be prepared to put back common items such as ketchup, sodas, sauces and sweets. Watch out for “glucose/fructose” too; this is the Canadian term for the same ingredient.

When you have diabetes, you need to learn to indulge your body in a healthier manner. You probably don’t have to avoid sweets altogether. When you can effectively manage your blood glucose levels, you shouldn’t worry to much about sneaking in the occasional sweet treat. You can accomplish this by taking out an amount that is equal in carbohydrates from the main meal you eat.

Add walnuts to your salad to add a fresh, nutritious twist. The monounsaturated fats in walnuts can increase cell receptivity to insulin to help your body maintain good blood sugar levels. In addition to being tasty and helpful in boosting energy levels, walnuts contain numerous healthy substances, including omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Make sure you always have gum or some other sugary snack on hand if you have hypoglycemia to worry about. You should always be prepared because there is no way to know when you are going to suffer from hypoglycemia. This definitely rings true if breakfast hasn’t been eaten yet, as your body still needs its sugar.

Blood Sugar Levels

Know which foods are low on the glycemic index and will help your body release glucose slowly. Foods like desserts, pasta and breads can all raise your blood sugar levels. Foods that are processed and have a lot of chemicals and preservatives in them can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Choose better foods, including fruits that are fresh and vegetables that are not canned, as well as seafood and meats.

You don’t have to join a gym to work out; walk at the park or take a jog around your block. Can goods can make inexpensive weights, as do bags filled with heavy items and chin-ups can be performed on your local park’s jungle gym.

TIP! Lots of methods of dropping weight and battling diabetes exist, ranging from workouts at a park to jogging. Try a few chin ups using the park’s jungle gym, or use the canned goods in your kitchen as weights and do some lifts, then weight some sturdy fabric bags and use them for weight lifting.

If you are a diabetic and you are having problems with your vision, be sure to talk with your doctor. Diabetes is associated with a number of eye problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. It is critical that you address any vision issues as soon as they appear because diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

As the introduction of this article mentioned, it’s the potential to go blind and other debilitating side effects associated with diabetes that really scare people. You can work past the fear and use the information you’ve learned here to ensure that you’re never a victim of these nasty complications.