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.
Did you know that it is recommended that diabetics have a diet high in dairy? Studies show that dairy can help keep blood sugar levels from spiking, so having as much low-fat dairy as possible, can be a huge help to a diabetic. Have a tall glass of skim milk at breakfast and some cheese at lunch. It’s healthy and tasty!
If you feel the need for a side dish with dinner, skip the potato chips and reach for a bag of corn chips. Whole grain tortilla chips provide a ton of fiber while being really tasty. Dip them in salsa to get some vegetables, fruit, and a dose of vinegar, which will keep your blood sugar levels from spiking.
Green tea is an excellent tool for the Diabetic who is attempting to lose weight. Studies show it helps your heart to stay healthy, and it’s so tasty that you won’t want to add any sweeteners to it. You can also use powdered matcha in cooking, and it’s great with cocoa!
You can get a free blood glucose meter from your pharmacy just by asking. They usually have coupons or rebates so that you can get the latest model at no cost, the caveat is that you’ll be buying their brand of blood test strips for the rest of your life.
Make healthy choices when you go out to eat, but don’t go overboard. You don’t have to starve yourself on salads, but replacing the fatty fries that are served with steamed vegetables will make your meal less likely to spike your blood sugars. A Diabetic has to be careful, but doesn’t have to be anorexic!
To allow yourself to still enjoy your favorite foods, make simple substitutions. Collard greens can be made with turkey broth instead of ham hock, and ground beef can easily be replaced by ground turkey. Try purchasing a diabetes cookbook. You may find that you can keep on eating many of your favorite meals.
Check grocery flyers to find out what is on sale this week and then use that for as many meals as possible. For example, if chicken is on sale, then you should try to eat chicken for at least four meals. Also, check out what vegetables and bread are on sale, as well, and stock up.
Try your best to keep your body fat as low as possible because the more you weigh, the greater chance you will have of acquiring diabetes later on in life. Reduce the amount of meat and carbs that you eat to maximize your chance of maintaining good health over time.
If you suffer from Diabetes, a helpful tip is to eat bars or shakes especially made for Diabetics in between your meals when you are out. Doing this can keep your glucose levels even. However, you want to avoid having these in addition to your meals because that will cause your glucose levels to climb. Only use them as meal replacements!
Exercise is very important in diabetes prevention. Exercise gets your blood flowing, keeps off the extra pounds and it helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Studies show that exercise significantly reduces risk of diabetes by up to 50 percent. It is a good idea to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Before taking any diabetes supplement, you should always consult your health care provider. The reason is because you never really know what may be in a supplement. You don’t know how reliable the manufacturer may be, so therefore, it is hard to determine if what should be in the supplement is actually in it.
If you are a diabetic make sure that you have emergency supplies with you. Make sure to pack an extra glucose meter, insulin, lancet, test strips, syringes and wipes. Hypoglycemia can be treated with glucose tablets, and such tablets can be stored for quite some time. Keeping items such as this handy can ensure that you have a safe trip. An ideal way to carry these items is in a fanny pack.
As a diabetic, make sure you take your medications on time. Consult your physician for a time table to help calculate the appropriate times for you to take your medication. Physicians may instruct you to take your pills before you eat or if you are also taking insulin, you may be required to take your pills at least thirty minutes before.
Always being prepared in case of an emergency or unforeseen obstacle is important if you have diabetes. Always have at least three days of your diabetes supplies ready, and stored in a location that can be easily accessed in case of an emergency or disaster. This way, you will be prepared and not distressed should something occur.
When you are testing your blood glucose levels, take the time to wash your hands properly before you perform the test on yourself. Use an antibacterial soap that is mild in nature so that you keep your fingertips moist. This will make the test much more effective and your hands more moisturized.
When planning a trip be sure to consult your physician. Crossing time zones can play havoc with your eating schedule and throw it out whack. Be sure to get prescription refills and ensure that you have more than enough medication to last through your trip with some in emergency reserve.
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.