Diabetes is a condition where the human body either does not produce enough insulin, or has trouble responding to its own insulin production. This often causes problems for individuals who suffer from it, as their blood sugar becomes higher than a normal person who does not have diabetes. If you need tips to help you with diabetes, then read this article.
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.
If you are diabetic and sick with a stomach infection or diarrhea, call your doctor right away for advice on whether you should continue with your medications or not. For example, some diabetics have been advised to not be taking Metformin if they have any sort of gastrointestinal upset as it could cause more harm than good.
The best thing a person can do to avoid diabetes is to exercise. People who exercise 30 to 60 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, can lower their risk of developing diabetes by almost 50 percent. Exercise improves the health of your heart and lungs, reduces stress, reduces fat, increases metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels.
If you suffer from diabetes it is absolutely critical that you monitor the amount of alcohol you drink. Cutting back on alcohol consumption is one of the best things a diabetic can do to improve their health. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories and fast acting carbohydrates. These fast acting carbohydrates quickly raise blood sugar levels in the body and this, in turn, can lead to type II diabetes complications.
Cut the trans fats out of your diet if you’re diagnosed as a Diabetic. Trans fats cause heart disease, increase fat around your midsection, and lead to healthy people developing Diabetes. If you stop eating this less-than-healthy item you can help reduce your chances of developing heart problems early in life.
Make a plan for everything you do to battle your Diabetes. Plan out your exercise routine for the week, and vary it to keep it interesting. Make meal plans so you know what you’ll be eating on any given day, what you need to pick up at the grocery store, and what should be defrosted the night before. This will keep you on track and organized.
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.
It is important that you eat a lot of fiber in order to prevent diabetes. Fiber helps to prevent diabetes by stabilizing your blood glucose levels. You can get fiber from certain foods such as whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, fruits and vegetables. You can also take a fiber supplement.
If you get hypoglycemia, it’s absolutely crucial you have gum or some type of sugary food always available to you. Attacks from hypoglycemia can pop up any place and at anytime; therefore, it’s vital you are properly prepared in case one occurs. This is particularly the case when breakfast has been skipped, because the body is now seeking sugar.
It is important to know the glycemic index of foods which can rapidly increase your blood sugar. For example, most juices, breads, desserts, cereals, and types of pasta are high glycemic index foods. Processed foods and carbohydrates can been dangerous for diabetics. Try eating fruits, veggies, meats, and fish instead.
If you’re a diabetic who uses insulin to control his diabetes, make sure to rotate the insulin injection site. Rotating the site helps to make sure that the skin in one area doesn’t toughen up, making it harder to take the injection. Rotate the site every time you give yourself insulin.
To keep your insulin resistance from increasing, always eat a good breakfast. Breakfast provides a kickstart to your metabolism that plays a crucial role in helping your body properly process insulin. Grabbing a quick snack instead of a balanced meal will make it hard to keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day.
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.
Eating lots of fiber, offsets carbohydrates, as well as, sugars found in your system, which helps to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Fiber can be found in many grains, vegetables, fruits and other foods. A healthy blood sugar level helps prevent diabetes and also, helps offset diabetic symptoms after you are already diagnosed. Make sure you have plenty of fiber in your diet.
When you are a diabetic you should make sure you are eating as many whole foods as possible. When shopping you should always buy fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid buying too many processed foods that contain ingredients that are bad for your condition. Avoid getting any foods with too much sugar such as sweets or soda.
Take special care in choosing your shoes if you are diabetic. Avoid plastic or steel toes, as well as waterproof material. These materials can encourage fungal growth, which is particularly dangerous if you are diabetic. Diabetes can negatively effect your feet, so be extremely cautious and make sure your shoes don’t make any problems worse.
As stated before, diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble with insulin, either through low production or lack of response. This can be troublesome for diabetes sufferers who have higher than normal blood sugar levels. The tips from the article above will help you if you have diabetes.