We know more than ever now about diabetes, and about ways in which to manage diabetes. Still, many people are confused or remain in the dark as to how to best manage their diabetes. The following article has some great tips which should help you manage your diabetes so you can live a comfortable life.
There is no shortage of foods with lots of protein, including lean meats, dairy products, and vegan options like tofu. Don’t get into a rut and keep trying new things!
Corn Syrup
You’ll be surprised at the number of items containing corn syrup, so check labels, and be prepared to put back common items such as ketchup, sodas, sauces and sweets. Canadian products list high fructose corn syrup as glucose/fructose.
Introduce more fiber into your diet so you can lower your risk of developing diabetes. When you add more whole grains to your diet, you will reduce how much high glycemic foods you eat, such as white bread, and you should also reduce how much processed foods you eat because these will increase your risk. There have been studies done that have shown that when people eat more whole grains, they have less of a risk of developing diabetes.
If hypoglycemia is an issue, make sure you carry some sort of sugar food with you always, such as gum. It is vital to your well-being that you always stay prepared because your hypoglycemia can rear its head at any time. This is even more important if you skip breakfast, because your body will be craving sugar.
Gestational Diabetes
Talk to a doctor when you are concerned that you have gestational diabetes. If you don’t control gestational diabetes, not only your health, but your baby’s health, is in jeopardy. A physician can give you prescription medication safe for pregnancy and good dietary suggestions.
Diabetics should eat modest portions, more often — as often as six times a day, instead of three. When you are eating frequently through the day, you avoid large blood sugar fluctuations. Frequent meals also help to eliminate the risk of binge eating, since you will never feel ravenous.
Pregnant mothers should understand and take heart in the fact that gestational diabetes has not been caused by something they have done. It just happens to some pregnant women, and is often completely unavoidable. Cancel negative thoughts and think positively about your child and yourself. This will go a long way toward lowering stress.
Unless you’re told otherwise by your doctor, take the fast-acting insulin one to 15 minutes prior to eating. These insulin treatments are a good way to maintain your blood sugar levels, but only when taken at the right time and in the right dose.
Blood Glucose
Cinnamon is an excellent spice that can be added to foods if you are a diabetic, since it has no sugar, sodium or calories. The great thing about cinnamon is its ability to draw the natural sweetness out of particular food items while adding no unnecessary sugar and causing no increases in blood glucose. Some researchers believe cinnamon can lower blood glucose levels.
Particularly when you don’t feel like it, you must pay attention to glucose levels, and keep your appetite up by consuming foods that will impact your health in a positive way. When your blood sugar is low for an extended period of time, you can become dehydrated. Take time to drink extra fluids if you suspect you are dehydrated.
You do not need to avoid all sugar when you have diabetes. This is simply untrue. You don’t have to get rid of sugar altogether, you just have to be wise about it. You can still enjoy some of your favorite sweet treats, just in moderation. Since eating sweets adds extra carbohydrates, it is best to cut back on other foods that contain carbohydrates when you have that special treat.
Blood Glucose Levels
Urine ketone tests should not be used as a sole measure of blood glucose levels. While this type of testing can show you if your urine has high ketone levels, that only lets you know your blood glucose levels are over 200 milligrams for each deciliter. Finger sticks or testing strips are recommended by the ADA and will give you a more accurate result.
Egg whites make an excellent breakfast for a diabetic diet. Egg whites have hardly any fat or calories, they also have great protein levels that you need to get your day going! Consider trying an omelet of egg whites, or you could have scrambled egg whites with ham.
If you’re diabetic, your travel preparations should include an insulated insulin bag. Extremes of temperature, either too warm or too cold, can ruin insulin. Using an insulated bag will keep insulin at the proper temperature in any weather.
The article above provides some powerful ideas to help you create the management plan that is right for your needs and get you on your way to a better life. Keep in mind that the information laid out here can only help if you apply it, so start making positive changes now in order to see results soon.