Managing your diabetes can seem like a lifelong struggle that you will never get out of. There are steps that you can take to reduce the affects your diabetes has on you and to maximize your treatment of it. This article will highlight these ideas for you in a practical way.
One key to beating type II diabetes is to lose weight. It’s actually all the fat on your body that is causing you to be diabetic, so getting rid of it can literally cure you if you are type II. Even a loss of as little as 20 pounds can have a profound impact on your health.
Go online for help with your Diabetes! There are many forums and groups of people who are just like you and they love to help others. You’ll find all kinds of advice about every facet of Diabetic life, from coping with family members who are not supportive to recipes and diet tips.
Be VERY careful with any advice you receive online about diabetes treatment. It is fine to do your research online, and even to find out what other people are doing to take care of their disease, but you need to take any new information you want to act on to your doctor, to make sure that it’s medically sound.
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.
People who eat at least two servings of dairy a day are less likely to develop insulin resistance, even if they’re significantly over weight. Even if you’re already Diabetic, including lots of low-fat dairy in your diet will help you to keep your blood sugar levels under control all day.
Eat foods rich in fiber. By eating fruits, vegetables, and grains you will improve your diet. You will lose weight and feel great. Fiber can help give you more control over your blood sugar and lower your chances of getting heart disease. Other sources of fiber include nuts, seeds, and beans.
Find out if your state government offers neighborhood health services where you can get discounted medical treatment, supplies, and prescriptions to help you battle your Diabetes. Some states also offer discounted health insurance, which can be an even bigger help by allowing you to seek treatment in your own city or town.
To spot foods that may be an issue for you, keep track of what you eat in a log alongside of your glucose levels. After a while, you’ll be able to notice the effect that certain foods have on you. This is a much better way to spot problematic foods than an elimination diet, and can also show you what foods benefit your health.
Just like you’re able to buy generic diabetic prescriptions and stay healthy, generic food items can be just as good as their brand name counterparts. Saving money is important to everyone, especially when you’re on a relatively strict diet. If you’re going to buy the generic brand, compare the ingredient list and nutrition data to the brand name to make sure you’re getting the same quality.
Find out if there are any public gardening areas near you where people grow their own produce. This is an excellent way for a Diabetic to get some exercise by doing weeding, watering, or planting new seedlings. Often you get to keep some of what you grow as well, giving you some wonderfully fresh and organic treats to enjoy when you get home!
Diabetics should make sure to always wear socks to bed and wear slippers or shoes inside the house. You’ll want to both provide shock absorption for your feet as well as protection from stepping on something sharp or damaging. Diabetes can lead to an increased susceptibility to infection, so be extra careful!
If you have a family history of diabetes, make sure to have your blood sugar and insulin levels checked at least twice a year. Research has shown that people with a family history of diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing the condition than those with not family history of it.
If you are a diabetic and you are trying to conceive a baby, visit a preconception diabetes clinic. Women have diabetes may have problems conceiving or carrying a baby and these clinics can give you valuable advice about foods, diets, and medications to assist you in having a healthy pregnancy.
You have to learn how to eat healthier foods in amounts that are not much too extravagant. Eating too much can cause a large spike in blood sugar levels, depending on what you are eating. Avoid buying items that are described as jumbo, deluxe, super sized, or jumbo.
People with diabetes would do well to cook their pasta al dente. Research has shown that overcooked pasta that is mushy and easily loses its form tend to give up their glucose more readily. This can raise the sugar level of someone suffering from diabetes immensely so make sure your pasta is not overcooked.
Before going to a restaurant for dinner you should have a piece of fruit or a few veggie sticks. This will prevent you from going to a restaurant and nibbling on the bread basket or chips that restaurants usually give patrons while they are waiting on their meals to be prepared.
Try strength training. Most people are aware that exercise is beneficial for everybody, and especially for diabetics. However, often the emphasis is put on cardiovascular exercises. These stamina-building aerobic activities are an important part of a good exercise regime, but don’t forget to include some strength training. Strength training has been shown to reduce the amount of fat found inside the body cavity, surrounding your organs making it just as heart-healthy as traditional cardiovascular exercises.
Now you are equipped to take some practical steps to manage your diabetes better, get better results from your treatment and even lower the affects diabetes has over you. Following these tips will give you some of the results you have been looking for.
