Living with diabetes can be very difficult if you do not know how to properly take care of yourself. There are certain things that you can do to live a more productive life, even if you have diabetes. The tips below will provide you with a little guidance to help you to understand diabetes.
When a child has Diabetes, you need to ensure that everyone in their life is aware of the consequences of not adhering strictly to their new eating rules. If they go to their Grandparents’ house, ensure they know how important it is for the child to only receive healthy snacks.
Feel free to ask your doctor any question about Diabetes you might have, from how it affects your bowel movements to if it can cause sexual dysfunction (yes, it can!) No question should be too embarrassing or uneducated for you to feel comfortable finding the answer to as your doctor is there to help!
Diabetics don’t have to give up that sweet tooth just because of their condition. There are many websites available that offer sugar-free recipes and ideas for cakes, cookies and other sweet snacks. Grocery and health food stores also have sections especially arranged for sugar-free and diabetic sweets.
If you are diabetic, one of the most important tips to follow is to have a proper diet. A proper diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. This type of diet is important for overall health for anybody, but for diabetics it’s important in order to keep blood sugar under control. As an added benefit, following a diet plan like this will also help you to lose weight.
Think about what you drink. Diabetics need to be careful of everything they ingest, so don’t forget to monitor the nutrition data and ingredients on the items your drinking. Juice, for example, is very high in sugar, so you should drink it in moderation. Milk can be high in fat, so stick to skim.
An easy way to reduce your risk of contracting diabetes is to get up and get active. People who take an hour long brisk walk daily will reduce their risk of contracting diabetes by over 35%. Even when you cannot walk for an hour a day, do what you can to get moving like take the stairs instead of the elevator, park at the furthest parking spot at the grocery store, or take two or three trips in carrying in the groceries.
Find out what your blood glucose target levels should be and ensure that you’re meeting them. Diabetes control means knowing what you’re up against, so keep a journal with your goal numbers listed so you can easily see how well you’re doing every day. Once you have your blood glucose under control you’ll feel immensely healthier!
If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed by your diabetes, seek out a support group. Being able to talk to people who understand the issues you’re going through can be a great source of comfort. People may also be able to suggest ways to manage your disease that you’d never thought of before.
Eating out at restaurants or getting take out is not only bad for a Diabetic’s health, but also their checkbook. Save money and your blood glucose level by eating at home instead. You can find many copycat recipes online for all your favorite foods, and even healthier versions which are better for you.
If you notice that your urinary ketone levels are uncommonly high, this may indicate that your body is especially low on insulin levels. Your body is being forced to process sugar, rather than fat as fuel for your body from day to day, or as part of your fasting efforts. Consult your physician if ketone levels continue to rise as this may be indicative of a condition called ketoacidosis.
Even though your as big as a house, it’s important for women with Gestational Diabetes to exercise as much as possible. Even if you’re just doing yoga or going for a long walk, exercise will help you keep your weight to a reasonable level and your mind stress-free, leading to better health.
If you have diabetes, beware of certain diabetes supplements. People think these supplements will help control their diabetes symptoms when some of them can actually raise blood glucose or insulin levels. A good rule of thumb to follow when you have diabetes is to not take anything unless your doctor has approved it.
Lifting weights will greatly help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is a huge concern for anyone dealing with diabetes. The chances of you getting both of these will go down when your body is more lean. Strength-training will help you to lose visceral fat which is the most dangerous for your heart health.
People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease than others so they should try to eat food that contain fatty acids, which are very good for the heart. A good way to get those essential acids in your system is to have fish at least twice a week.
Be aware of what you are drinking. Many carbonated drinks and juices are made with high-fructose corn syrup, which is not good for anyone, let alone those with diabetes. These types of beverages are loaded with sugar (and thus, a lot of calories) that will leave you wanting more. Water should be your best friend!
Being diabetic does not mean that you must fully give up your favorite sweets, but it does mean that you must be more diligent in selecting and consuming them. To compensate for a sweet splurge, you may need to step up your exercise program, reducing your dietary intake of another sweet food, or taking more insulin.
The steps that have been provided, should be a great starting point for your diabetic journey. It is possible to live a somewhat normal life, even with diabetes, if you take control of the situation and make the correct choices, right away. Only you can control your journey with diabetes.