An estimated 30 million people in the United States alone have some form of diabetes. It’s a disease that practically anyone can get. If you’re one of the 30 million, you should know that there are many ways you can work to manage this disease. Use the tips provided here to assist you in disease management.
Diabetics need to avoid ketchup like the plague. I know it’s tasty, I love it to death, but it’s so full of sugar both from the tomatoes and the high fructose corn syrup that it’s more of a curse than a pleasure. I like to replace it with yellow mustard as it has little to no sugar added.
Skip the french fries and ditch the baked potato – it’s time to replace your carb-heavy side dishes with something that’s actually GOOD for a Diabetic. Salad! I’m not talking potato or pasta salad, they’re both carbohydrate disaster areas. Pick up some lettuce, shred some vegetables, throw on some tomato wedges and a nice light oil and vinegar dressing and dig in!
Going for a walk, jog, or run with your dog, is an excellent way to exercise and help keep your diabetes under control. It will also help your dog stay at a healthy weight, which can save you both heartache and money on vet bills. You’ll motivate each other to keep going!
If you are diabetic, one of the most important tips to follow is to have a proper diet. A proper diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. This type of diet is important for overall health for anybody, but for diabetics it’s important in order to keep blood sugar under control. As an added benefit, following a diet plan like this will also help you to lose weight.
A good night’s sleep is a great way to lower blood sugar. Studies show that uninterrupted sleep aids the body’s ability to regulate the production of insulin. Maintaining a normal blood glucose level is important to a diabetic’s overall health, so work on setting a consistent bed time each night.
Get tested for sleep apnea if you suffer from diabetes. If you do have sleep apnea, seeking treatment in a timely manner is important if you want to remain healthy.
If you’re having trouble finding organizations in your area that can help you get help with your Diabetes, dial 211. The United Way can point you in the right direction towards support groups and other organizations who will help you get discounted supplies and prescriptions so you can stay healthy.
Try to avoid alcohol when you are diabetic. Even small amounts of alcohol, especially beer, can dangerously raise your blood sugar. Many doctors are in agreement that having a glass of wine once in awhile is okay for diabetics, just do not have more than one glass and do not drink it everyday.
If you find that you are frequently unable to keep your blood glucose levels under control, consider asking your primary care physician about whether an insulin pump may be a good choice for you. You may find that a pump can help you reach your targets, but it requires diligence and willingness to monitor insulin frequently.
If you have Diabetes then it is important that you dry your feet carefully after a bath, shower, or a dip in the pool. Your feet will be more prone to getting infections, including fungal, so keeping them cool and dry can help prevent that from happening. Don’t forget in between your toes!
If you have diabetes, it is important that you include a certain amount of carbs in your diet. Diets that do not have carbohydrates or small amounts of it can cause a diabetic not to get the vitmains and nutrients that they need in order to control their diabetic symptoms.
The key to a Diabetic diet isn’t necessarily cutting anything out completely, but instead is about counting up what is in that food item and eating it in an appropriate moderation. For example, having a slice of cake can be fine as long as you work it into your meal and have a smaller piece than you might have pre-diagnosis.
Diabetes can affect the eyes, so make sure you are seeing an eye doctor regularly to catch any complications before they become worse. Be aware of any changes in your vision; diabetes can damage the nerves in the eyes so stay vigilant about any changes you see.
Learning to eat right is an important factor in controlling diabetes. The key steps to developing an approriate diet is cutting back on refined carbohydrates, keeping portions sizes under control, establishing and maintaining a regular meal schedule, and consuming a variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Simply speaking, a diabetes-friendly diet is low in fats, high in nutrients, and contains a moderate number of calories.
If you want to lower your risk for getting diabetes, you have to remain active. Try talking a fast paced walk for 60 minutes each day. When you are not focusing on working out, make sure you are still active. Try to walk instead of drive and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Managing your blood sugar when you are a diabetic can be a challenge. Some things to keep in mind are eating the same amount at the same time everyday. This will ensure that you keep the right amount of sugar in your diet so that you can be happy and healthy.
Diabetics should constantly work to avoid dehydration. There are many things to keep in mind to prevent from getting dehydrated. Such things to keep in mind are: avoid beverages filled with caffeine, drink plenty of water when exercising and drink 1 ounce of water for every 2.5 pounds of your body weight. Working to keep yourself hydrated keeps you healthy as a diabetic and as an individual.
30 million is definitely a huge number for one country, but there is a bright side to such a large number. A number this large means that you’re far from alone. The tips you’ve read here were compiled by people who know what it’s like to have diabetes. You can take their advice and learn to thrive with this disease.