If you are diabetic, do you know exactly what you should be eating, how much exercise you need and how much sleep you should be getting? The following article provides you with some sound advice for your diabetes management program.
All foods contain glycemic index numbers that inform you of how they will impact your blood sugar levels based on their ingredients. For diabetics, the GI numbers should be as low as possible.
Many foods, such as eggs or beans, are packed full of protein and are great for someone with diabetes. Try shaking up your routine so your taste buds do not die of boredom.
If your child is found to have diabetes, you may feel overwhelmed; however, taking it a day at a time will get you through. The treatment of diabetes has advanced tremendously in the last few years, and your child can have a normal life if they take care of themselves properly. The current oldest living diabetic is 90 years of age! This means that he was living in a time when all the current medical knowledge we now have wasn’t available!
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. If sleep apnea is a problem for you, then seek treatment as soon as you can to maintain a healthy and active life.
As a diabetic, rather than eating three meals a day, consider eating five to six lighter meals. When you eat often during the day, you will be able to better control your blood sugar. These meals will also keep you from getting over-hungry and indulging.
Blood Sugar Level
If your blood sugar level dips too low, you may need to drink something sugary like orange juice to get it back up. Don’t worry if your blood sugar level spikes when you do this. This means could mean that you are eating and drinking more than you should to fix your low level or that your body is releasing hormones to make up for the low level. The next time this happens, try cutting your normal meal in half and double check your glucose levels a half an hour later.
Take fast-acting insulin no longer than 15 minutes before you eat a meal, unless directed otherwise by a doctor. An option for maintaining blood sugar levels is fast-acting insulin. However, it has to be carefully dosed and timed dependent on the individual.
If you are dealing with diabetes, cinnamon is a great spice that can be included in your foods because it does not add sugar, sodium or calories to your diet. Cinnamon can make foods sweeter without adding sugar. Some studies have shown that cinnamon will lower the sugar levels, but regardless it is a good thing to add to your foods.
For anyone suffering from hypoglycemia, it is best to speak with a doctor to see if you should be taking glucose tablets. The tablets are simple to take wherever you go and help elevate your glucose levels quicker and more efficiently than foods with sugar.
Smoking is dangerous and can be very dangerous if you’re a diabetic. Participating in this habit will open you to many bad health effects. Smoking can cause insulin resistance and for those who are not diabetic, in can cause diabetes to develop.
One myth regarding diabetes is that it’s necessary to always avoid sugar. You don’t need to eliminate sugar completely, but you have to be smart with sweets. You can treat yourself to small servings of dessert on special occasions. Because food high in sugar can add carbohydrates to your system, make sure you adjust what you are eating accordingly to compensate for this increase in carbohydrates.
It is illegal for an employer to use the fact that you have diabetes as part of their determination on whether or not to hire you. Because of this law, you do not have to disclose your diagnosis to your employer.
Though it is not commonly known, sleep apnea can be a serious health disadvantage that is associated with those suffering from diabetes. Sleep apnea is defined as a cessation of breathing while asleep. If you are feeling exhausted half way through the day, get tested for sleep apnea.
Blood Sugar
Studies show that exercising lowers blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity, and that helps to healthily control your blood sugar. Doing exercise along with resistance training will give you the best results.
Diabetes increases your chance of getting a gum disease. Make sure you floss every day, and brush your teeth at several intervals throughout the day.
By missing needed meals your liver could make up for the lack of nourishment by releasing more glucose. This is dangerous to a diabetic. This natural, but potentially unhealthy, compensation can be prevented simply by eating regularly. Snack on foods with high levels of carbohydrates, as well to keep blood sugar levels in check.
If you have diabetes and you want to prevent diabetes in your life, try to get some exercise. This helps manage your weight, and also keeps blood sugar at lower, healthy levels by increasing your body’s insulin sensitivity. Activity is one of the best ways to regulate blood sugar, and therefore anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes should make an effort to avoid being sedentary.
Keep your supplies handy so you always have them ready to treat sugar highs and lows. Have syringes, insulin and anything else you need in your prepared bag.
There is plenty of advice that you need to know in order to make the most out of your life with diabetes. It can be a dark cloud that just looms over your head unless you take the steps to clear it up. Use the tips and advice in this article to help you get a fresh start with managing your diabetes.
