You may find it difficult to significantly alter your way of living, particularly if you have always been a creature of habit. Though, when you have diabetes, you will have to start making those big changes to improve your health. Read up on a few good ways in which you can handle your affliction.
Try making a salad with walnuts. The monounsaturated fats in walnuts help to keep your diabetes under control by increasing your cells’ receptiveness to insulin. They taste great and boost your energy, and if that’s not enough, they contain omega-3, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
If you suffer from diabetes, proceed with caution when receiving a pedicure. Because people with diabetes are likely to develop foot infections, even a small cut can have serious results.
Many different foods have this ingredient, including sodas, condiments, and most sweets. Read the labels carefully to avoid foods that contain it. The label in Canada is “glucose/fructose”.
If you are hypoglycemic, you should always have gum or some other type of sugary food handy. You should always be prepared because there is no way to know when you are going to suffer from hypoglycemia. This is even more likely if you skip breakfast and need sugar in your system.
Blood Sugar
It is important to know the glycemic index of foods which can rapidly increase your blood sugar. Food that are high in glycemic indexes are pasta, cereal, desserts, juices and breads. In addition, these processed foods are bad on your blood sugar. Stick to fresh and natural foods instead when grocery shopping for your diabetic menu.
Watch the foods you eat if you are diabetic. Foods change blood sugar levels differently in different people, so it’s up to you to keep track of how foods affect you. The amount of insulin that needs to be injected depends on the size of the meals eaten. Larger meals require more insulin. Staying in control of your glucose levels will become easier if you pay attention to what you are eating.
Frequent Meals
It is a good idea for diabetics to have five or six small meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals. Eating small but frequent meals over the course of the day helps to maintain your blood sugar at a steady level. Eating more often also helps you avoid the desire to binge, because the frequent meals will keep you satisfied.
Keep telling yourself why it is important to you to control your diabetes. Give thought to what you enjoy doing in life, what keeps you from doing them, and what can help you to do more of them. By staying focused on what’s most important, you’ll remain motivated in your diabetes management.
A variety of spices can add flavor to a diabetics diet without adding sugar, fat or calories. Cinnamon can bring about a sweeter flavor without adding sugar, which can raise the level of glucose in the blood. Some studies indicate cinnamon actually lowers glucose levels while others do not, but it is a good spice to use anyway.
Adapt the recipes for the foods you like instead of thinking you can no longer eat them at all. One of the challenges of having diabetes is not getting to eat what you want. A majority think that they have to get rid of favorite dishes. Some people will eat whatever they want. The better solution is to look closely at the foods you eat and make smart substitutions. A lot of foods can be prepared in a way that is healthy for diabetics to eat.
Although you may have little appetite and feel ill, as a diabetic you must continue to help your body by consuming healthy foods, and by tracking your blood glucose levels. Make sure you keep up your fluid intake as dehydration can occur during prolonged low glucose periods.
One prevalent diabetes myth is that you absolutely must avoid sugar. There is no need to cut sugar out entirely, but you do need to be vigilant about what sweets you eat. You can still savor a small serving of a favorite dessert for special occasions. You can also limit other carbohydrate-heavy foods in your meal to accommodate the increase that you get from eating these sweets.
Exercise on a daily basis. Consistent exercise makes the body better able to process glucose and insulin so that your blood glucose levels stay stable. Exercising is important if you have diabetes.
Blood Glucose
All diabetics should be trained to use a finger stick tester to check blood glucose levels several times per day. If you have a high ketone level it will only show that blood glucose is higher than 200 mg per deciliter. Finger sticks or testing strips are recommended by the ADA and will give you a more accurate result.
Prospective employers cannot legally forbid applicants from being employed because they have diabetes. Consequently, you are not required to disclose your medical conditions up front.
Good carbohydrates are a great choice for a diabetic’s diet. Diets that are low in carbs can actually be detrimental to many with diabetes, because they prevent the body from getting the essential nutrients it requires. When you have the proper amount of carbohydrates in your diet, it ensures you body has the energy it needs.
Diabetics are susceptible to numerous foot problems. You should ensure that you take extra care with your feet. If you are careless, you may lose one or both of them. Following these guidelines can help keep your feet healthy even with diabetes.
Skipping meals will most likely cause your blood sugar levels to rise as your liver begins to release glucose in order to give your body energy. Eating regular meals, as well as having snacks with carbohydrates, will reduce the glucose being released.
A few types of diabetes have a cure. Remember that adapting your lifestyle is really in your best interest. The tips here can only go so far to help you. The actual implementation of these tips into your daily lifestyle is entirely up to you.