It’s natural to feel scared after getting diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes will change your life, but it doesn’t have to ruin it. This article contains much advice about diabetes and how to live with it on a daily basis while improving your health.
A large number of foods have an assigned “glycemic index,” which is a number that tells you how much the food affects your blood sugar after eating it. The lower the glycemic index, the better it is for you to eat!
Almonds are full of protein and can help regulate the release of glucose. Unsalted almonds are filled with protein, fiber and many other nutrients that are very healthy. Stash some by your TV for a healthy snack while you’re watching your favorite show!
You will ensure your life will be easier to deal with if you stay organized. For example, put your meter and insulin in the same place every night to make it easy to find in the morning. Make testing a routine and do it at the same time and in the same way so you never miss a step.
Diabetics must be careful during pedicures. Diabetes can increase your risks of getting foot infections. Make sure the tools are clean, and be extremely careful if you cut yourself.
Lower your diabetes risk by eating a diet high in fiber. Consumption of whole grains will cut your intake of white bread and other high glycemic foods, which are not beneficial for you. Whole grain foods are not only good for maintaining diabetes, but they can also help to prevent development of the condition in children.
Know which foods are low on the glycemic index and will help your body release glucose slowly. Foods such as breads, juices, desserts, cereal, and pastas have high glycemic indexes. In addition, these processed foods are bad on your blood sugar. Concentrate on raw vegetables, fresh fruit, meat, and fish instead.
Pregnant mothers should understand and take heart in the fact that gestational diabetes has not been caused by something they have done. It occurs often, and is not something you can control. Keep your stress to a bare minimum, and think positive and happy thoughts about your child and yourself.
Glucose Levels
Your sugar levels might spike if you have just treated a low glucose level. There are two reasons this can happen: either your body is releasing hormones in response to your low glucose levels, or you’re consuming too much to make up for your low glucose levels. If you feel like you are overeating, when you see yourself with low glucose levels, try eating half as much and testing yourself 30 minutes later.
You should constantly remind yourself why you’re controlling your diabetes. Analyze what is keeping you from doing what you love and find a new solution. Concentrate on the meaningful things in your life, and let them inspire and encourage you to remain proactive in the management of your disease.
One flavorful spice that diabetics can use, that doesn’t contain sugar, sodium or calories, is cinnamon. Cinnamon can also accentuate the natural sweetness of some foods without adding sugar that may raise your blood glucose levels. There are mixed studies about whether cinnamon can lower glucose levels, but no matter: it’s a wonderful spice to add to meals.
Glucose tablets are an option for the hypoglycemic. These tablets are very convenient to carry with you, and work better and faster than sugary foods to get your blood sugar back to a normal level, because they take much less time to digest.
Regardless of whether you feel hungry or not, keeping your body on a regular meal schedule is crucial to maintaining healthy glucose levels. If your blood sugar stays low for too long, you can become dehydrated, so drink fluids even if you don’t feel like doing so.
Exercise on a regular basis. Exercise helps your body handle glucose and insulin more efficiently. Exercise is particularly important for diabetics because even a modest amount of weight loss can improve symptoms.
Once you know how to manage your diabetes, you won’t fear it anymore. The advice in this article can help you to effectively manage your diabetes, and by extension, your health.