Believe it or not, diabetes is one of the most common diseases out there. It can strike at any time and it doesn’t rightly matter if you’re living a preventative lifestyle. You can still contract the disease. If you have diabetes, it’s high time you started learning about how to tame the disease. Use these tips to help you out.
Look at the glycemic index on the labels of the foods you buy. This is an indicator of how this food will affect sugar levels. The lower the glycemic index, the better it is for you to eat!
Keep track of all the medicines you are taking for your Diabetes and any other condition you have in case you ever need to know. You should carry with you information on their names, dosages, and how often you are taking them in case something happens to you when you’re out, or a doctor you’re visiting requests that information.
Unlike breastfeeding, no one cares if you shoot up your insulin at the table. Really! Don’t hide away in a bathroom or closet, come clean with your diagnosis and have your family and friends share in your recovery. The more they know, the more they can support you when you need them.
Don’t worry about having a “Diabetes Bag” that you carry around with you, just keep syringes in your purse, jacket pockets, car, and desk at work. Keep your meter and insulin with you in a small bag or your purse and you’ll be ready for injections no matter where you end up.
Many people think diabetics have to avoid all sweets, but this isn’t necessarily true. When planning a sweet dessert or snack, just make sure it is included in a healthy meal or with exercise. Your doctor can guide you with pointers to help you include desserts and snacks in your diet.
Paper and pen are your greatest weapons in defeating Diabetes. You should keep track of your exercise via a log, a diet diary to see what causes you blood-glucose spikes, blood pressure log, blood sugar reading log, and when you take your medications and how much, you have taken.
Try your best to keep your body fat as low as possible because the more you weigh, the greater chance you will have of acquiring diabetes later on in life. Reduce the amount of meat and carbs that you eat to maximize your chance of maintaining good health over time.
If you suffer from Diabetes, a helpful tip is to eat bars or shakes especially made for Diabetics in between your meals when you are out. Doing this can keep your glucose levels even. However, you want to avoid having these in addition to your meals because that will cause your glucose levels to climb. Only use them as meal replacements!
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.
Understand that there is no single “magic number” when it comes to your A1C levels. However, you should aim to keep this number as low as possible in order to reduce your chances of developing complications from diabetes. Even slightly high A1C levels put you at considerable risk for stroke and cardiovascular problems.
Cut down on simple carbohydrates. These foods, such as pasta and bread, cause your blood sugar levels to spike which may cause hyperglycemia and a need for more insulin; that may result in a hypoglycemic episode. Stick to complex carbohydrates such as whole grains in order to keep your blood sugar stable.
Clean out your pantry and fridge of all processed foods as well as foods high in sugar and trans fats. Eating trans fats and any food that has partially hydrogenated oils will increase your belly fat and put you at a higher risk for getting diabetes. These foods are not good for anyone to be eating, so it is best to toss them.
Watch out for liquid sugars. It is just as important for diabetics to watch what they drink as it is to watch what they eat. High-fructose corn syrup found in soft drinks is especially harmful to diabetics, and while fruit juices can be healthy, they can also cause a dangerous spike in blood sugar and should be consumed in moderation. Water is the best choice when you are thirsty, followed by unsweetened beverages.
Exercise is a healthy way to lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Try doing aerobic exercises and resistance training to get the best results.
If your loved one, whether they be a family member or friend, has diabetes, it is up to you to make sure they are getting the care that they need. Often times people that have diabetes will not take care of themselves without proper support from the people most important to them in their lives.
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.
Always being prepared in case of an emergency or unforeseen obstacle is important if you have diabetes. Always have at least three days of your diabetes supplies ready, and stored in a location that can be easily accessed in case of an emergency or disaster. This way, you will be prepared and not distressed should something occur.
Although it’s too late to prevent diabetes now, it’s not too late to take the steps necessary to rise above this disease. Learning how to deal with your diabetes is only half of the battle here. The onus is now on you to put a plan together in order to fight this disease.