Diabetes is no laughing matter, and can cause serious health consequences, including death. Living a happier and healthier life with your diabetes can be achieved by becoming educated about it and to learn how to take care of yourself. In this article, you will learn numerous useful tips for coping with diabetes.
Add walnuts to your salad to make it even more nutritious. The monounsaturated fats in walnuts can increase cell receptivity to insulin to help your body maintain good blood sugar levels. They also have omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which will give you energy.
Sleep Apnea
Sleeping well is especially important for diabetics and if you experience problems sleeping, it can be helpful to be tested for sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea can improve your overall health and help you manage your diabetes more effectively.
Online pharmacies can be a lot cheaper than a physical location for diabetic medication. You can usually set up a regular delivery schedule, so that you can’t forget to order it.
Find out which foods have a rather high glycemic index so you can avoid them. This includes fruit juices and foods like bread, cereal and pasta. Processed foods also have a very bad effect on your blood sugar. So look into eating vegetables, fresh fruit, meat and fish instead.
Battling diabetes does not always have to involve expensive methods; try brisk walks in the park, jogging or reasonable fitness regimes. Use the local jungle gym for pull ups, and you can even weight lift with canned goods or other heavy household items, such as bottles of laundry detergent.
Be careful with what you eat if you’re diabetic. Different types of foods have different effects on your blood sugar levels. If you are on insulin, the amount of insulin that you need will depend on the size of a meal. Take an active approach to dealing with your diabetes by managing your meals.
It is a good idea for diabetics to have five or six small meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals. Eating small but frequent meals over the course of the day helps to maintain your blood sugar at a steady level. Eating more frequently also helps to decrease the risk of binging, as you will feel more satisfied.
Blood Sugar
Do not be surprised if your blood sugar levels spike after treating a low glucose situation. It may be caused by overcompensating with the food or drink you take or it can be a hormonal response of your body to combat the low glucose level. Try drinking or eating half your previous dose, then checking your blood sugar level 30 minutes later to see if the spike is smaller.
Fast-acting insulin should be taken up to 15 minutes before you eat, unless your doctor has ordered differently. These insulin treatments are a good way to maintain your blood sugar levels, but only when taken at the right time and in the right dose.
Give yourself a constant reminder of why taking care of your diabetes is so important. Try to think of all the things that you like doing and how you need to control your diabetes to enjoy them. Concentrate on the meaningful things in your life, and let them inspire and encourage you to remain proactive in the management of your disease.
Adding Sugar
If you have diabetes, cinnamon is a great spice to eat without adding sugar, sodium or calories. Cinnamon can also accentuate the natural sweetness of some foods without adding sugar that may raise your blood glucose levels. Research has shown different results when it comes to whether or not cinnamon decreases glucose levels; even if it doesn’t, it is still a good spice to use.
You don’t have to eliminate your favorite foods from your diet, but you likely will need to modify how you eat them. One of the big misconceptions about diabetes is that sufferers must follow a much stricter diet. Many people mistakenly think they have to stop eating many of their most loved foods. Other people will continue to eat their favorite foods despite any diet they are on. However, the wisest resolution is to find acceptable alternatives for your preferred foods. Some foods can be converted from diabetes-foe to diabetes-friend with a few minor tweaks.
Smoking is bad for anyone, but it’s especially bad for diabetics. When you smoke, you cause many complications to your health. When you smoke, you increase your chances of being insulin resistant; if you don’t yet have diabetes, it can make your risk of getting type 2 disease much higher.
It’s imperative that diabetics understand that they need to educate themselves about the care their bodies need, and put that knowledge into practice. This article provides good tips useful to all people suffering from diabetes as well as their family and friends.