A diagnosis of diabetes is probably amongst one of the hardest ones to swallow. With no cure, and a plethora of treatments that must be done on a daily basis it can be overwhelming. Don’t be overwhelmed though. With the right knowledge it is a very manageable disease, and one can live quite a normal life.
If you don’t like the taste of beans but are trying to eat properly now that you’ve been diagnosed with Diabetes, why not try eating Hummus? It is made from creamed Garbanzo Beans and it’s smooth, thick, and delicious! You can eat it on a sandwich instead of mayonnaise, or spread on crackers.
Birthday parties can be a nightmare for the parents of a diabetic child, but they don’t have to be as long as you communicate with the hosts of the party. Let them know as far in the future as possible about your child’s illness, and offer to send food with them so they don’t have to come up with alternatives themselves. Send enough for everyone at the party and they won’t feel like they’re different!
Be careful with the medicines you choose when you have a cold, many are laden with sugar which can affect your blood sugar levels. Make sure you take this into account if you’re keeping track of what you eat to maintain even blood sugar levels, or if your blood sugar mysteriously spikes.
Restaurants tend to serve you HUGE portions, so be prepared before they even bring your meal! Bring your own reusable container, or ask the waiter for a doggy bag up front, and then put away the parts of your meal which are going to be too much for you. Getting rid of it before you eat will curb your temptation to finish it all.
To save money, the American Diabetes Association approves the re-use of testing lancets. These are the needles used by your glucometer to test your blood sugar. Re-using them does result in them becoming dull, so be sure to change them out when you notice the pain level of your testing rising. Never share lancets.
Increasing your intake of magnesium is not only good for your heart, it can help your diabetes too! You can find lots of magnesium in fish, leafy greens, and nuts, so include those items in your diet as often as possible. Almonds are an excellent choice to grab as a snack any time.
Find a free clinic in your area to have your Diabetes monitored if you can’t afford to visit your doctor every three months. You can call your local Diabetes association, ask at a local hospital, or inquire through your Health Department, to find out where the closest clinic is to you.
If you are a diabetic, it is crucial that you have your blood pressure checked regularly. Diabetes can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, which can lead to serious health problems, like strokes. Try to buy a home blood pressure machine or go to a pharmacy to check it yourself.
To spot foods that may be an issue for you, keep track of what you eat in a log alongside of your glucose levels. After a while, you’ll be able to notice the effect that certain foods have on you. This is a much better way to spot problematic foods than an elimination diet, and can also show you what foods benefit your health.
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 drinking green tea if you suffer from diabetes. It is a great way to give into your sweet tooth without drinking a beverage that could affect your blood sugar. Also, although nothing has been proven, doctors are looking into the suggestion that green tea may actually lower blood sugar.
Even if you “only” have Gestational Diabetes, it is especially important for you to monitor your blood glucose levels. Your baby will be impacted by the slightest peak you might have as the insulin does cross the placenta, so make sure to keep your levels even so your baby will grow normally.
Diabetics who notice that their fingernails and toenails are becoming very thick and even pulling away from the nail bed may actually have a fungal infection. Fungal infections are more common in people with diabetes; diabetes may also make them more likely to suffer liver damage from common anti-fungal medications. If your doctor prescribes an oral medication, be sure to have regular blood work during therapy.
If you were overweight before getting pregnant, and you want to reduce your chances of getting gestational diabetes, you should try to cut back on calories instead of eating more. By being overweight in the first place and adding weight when you are pregnant, you risk your blood sugar levels getting too high.
You have to learn how to eat healthier foods in amounts that are not much too extravagant. Eating too much can cause a large spike in blood sugar levels, depending on what you are eating. Avoid buying items that are described as jumbo, deluxe, super sized, or jumbo.
While it may be tempting to save yourself time and energy by eating out a lot of the time, you should only eat restaurant foods in moderation when trying to keep diabetes under control. Eating at home is much more cost effective and you have total control over what goes into each dish.
In conclusion, while diabetes is indeed one of the hardest diseases to manage, it isn’t necessarily a death sentence. Sure it does require a lot of lifestyle changes, but nothing so out of the ordinary that it will utterly ruin your life. Accept your diagnosis, and the advice from this article, and live more relaxed.