It is never good news to hear about the possibility of diabetes or attempt to live a normal life after you have developed the condition. There are actually some pretty simple things that can be done each day that are known to lower your chances for diabetes and to help you live a healthier life.
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Being a diabetic is hard, and you’re going to make mistakes. If you eat unhealthily or forget to exercise, don’t beat yourself up over it because sometimes that’s life! Do some deep breathing and forgive yourself for your lapse, then watch what you eat for the rest of the day and move on tomorrow.
If you suffer from diabetes or are at risk of developing the disease, it is a good idea to eat a diet that is high in fiber. Fiber, which is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans prevents diabetes by buffering the sugar or carbohydrates in your diet, keeping your blood sugar even instead of having it fluctuate.
Managing your everyday life in an orderly and consistent manner can make it flow with more ease. For example, keep your insulin and meter in one place each night so it is easier found in the morning. Let your testing become a routine and you won’t forget to do it regularly and to write in your log.
There are a variety of cost efficient ways diabetics can lose weight, such a taking a jog or exercising at a playground. Weights can be constructed out of bags filled with various heavy items from around your house, or try picking up cans from the pantry and working your arms with them.
If you have Diabetes then it is important that you dry your feet carefully after a bath, shower, or a dip in the pool. Your feet will be more prone to getting infections, including fungal, so keeping them cool and dry can help prevent that from happening. Don’t forget in between your toes!
Pressure on your feet can cause major damage to a Diabetic, so be sure to buy shoes that are exactly the right size and have cushioning for your feet. There are even special shoes made for Diabetics that have specific features which are of benefit to sensitive feet like yours.
To make sure your glucose and blood sugar levels stay stable, eat at the exact same times every day. When your body knows when to expect food, it will have an easier time processing it, and dramatic rises or drops will be less common. Try setting an alarm that beeps every time you need to eat.
To make sure each meal you eat is balanced, divide your plate into sections. Devote half your plate to vegetables that are low in starch. Fill one quarter of the plate with healthy carbohydrates and the remaining quarter with a lean protein. This will make sure that your body gets everything it needs, keeping your diabetes in check.
To make sure your family understands your needs, take the time to explain diabetes to them. Discussing your condition with them will give them valuable knowledge they can use to help you in a crisis. It will also make them aware of things they can do to help. You may even find that talking about your diabetes is very cathartic.
Look online to find common replacements for cooking ingredients which aren’t good for a Diabetic. For example, fruit can be used in place of sugar, as in a sugar free banana bread or muffins. You can also use whole grain flours instead of bleached, or buckwheat instead of rice in a dish.
To lessen the symptoms of gestational diabetes, use a blood monitoring device. A blood monitoring device will let you keep track of your sugar levels and will help you keep them from rising or falling dramatically. Doing this will significantly decrease the effects gestational diabetes has on your body and will help keep you and your baby healthy.
It is always best to tell potential employers that you are diabetic, even though by law they cannot bar you from employment simply for having this condition. You don’t have to express your medical issues upfront.
Diabetics are especially susceptible to problems with their feet. Therefore, it is especially important to care for your feet; failure to do so may result in an amputation. Doing these things can keep your feet in tip-top shape even if you suffer from diabetes.
Know that being sick can affect your blood glucose level. Being sick stresses your body out, and when your body stresses out it creates more glucose. In fact, both physical and mental stress could affect it. So to help you monitor your levels, you should check your blood glucose level more often on days that you are sick.
Add more whole grains to your diet. Scientists do not have a full grasp as to why, but whole grains have shown benefits in preventing diabetes and lowering blood sugar numbers. Have a goal of eating whole grains as at least half of your grain intake daily. Always specifically look for the word “whole” when reading labels.
It is important for you to wear a medical alert bracelet if you are a diabetic. If something happens to you and you need to get medical care but are unconscious the paramedics will know what products to and not to give you. It could be a life saving piece of jewelry.
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to blood glucose monitors. Don’t be overwhelmed by the choices. Before you begin shopping, decide what factors are most important to you such as speed, testing location, cost, data analysis, etc. Once you know what is important, it will be easier to narrow down your choices and choose the one that is best for you.
If you follow all or some of these helpful tips, you will reduce your body’s likelihood of developing diabetes and living through years of intense medical treatment, ongoing pain, and drastic changes to your diet. They also make your body generally healthier, which is something everyone should strive for, regardless of their condition.
