Diabetes is a condition where the human body either does not produce enough insulin, or has trouble responding to its own insulin production. This often causes problems for individuals who suffer from it, as their blood sugar becomes higher than a normal person who does not have diabetes. If you need tips to help you with diabetes, then read this article.
Every type of food has a number that states its effects on blood sugar. This number is called the “glycemic index”. For diabetics, the GI numbers should be as low as possible.
Lemon juice is a tasty addition to any salad or even a glass of water, and studies show it can help you avoid a spike in your blood sugar after a meal. I like to make lemon juice ice cubes and let them melt in my drink, making it a little easier to drink.
Test your sugar regularly, and track the results. Keeping a log book of your sugar levels will help you and your doctor decide if your medication and diet plan are working to control your sugar. You can save money by sharing a glucometer with a family member or friend, so long as you do not share lancets.
Don’t use alcohol swabs before an insulin injection. It’s actually unnecessary, as long as your skin, hands, and needle are clean. Alcohol swabs will dry out the skin, making it more likely that the injection site will stay open. This can actually increase the risk of an infection at the site.
When you’re on a plane it can be hard for a Diabetic to keep their feet moving. Try to do little exercises while you sit, like moving your foot up and down or turning it in circles. Keep wiggling your toes to ensure your circulation gets blood right down to your tippy-toes.
You can control, prevent, or even reverse diabetes just through nutrition, healthy weight levels and exercise. There is no need for special diets. Just try to eat a healthy diet concentrating on vegetables, whole grains, fruits and good fats. That’s a healthy diet for everyone!
When eating healthy for a Diabetic diet, compare the items various stores sell and see who has the best prices on specific items. I like to keep a spreadsheet on my phone which shows each item I buy regularly, and which store I can get it at the best price so I can stock up when I go to that store.
To decrease your risk of developing diabetes, quit smoking. Smoking raises your blood-glucose levels, which significantly increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking can lead to weight gain, which also increases your diabetes risk, but diet and exercise is an easy way to tackle that issue. Anyone with a family history of diabetes should be sure not to smoke.
If you are a diabetic and find that your foods are too bland, you may want to add some cinnamon. It does not contain any sugar, calories, or sodium, so it is healthy for diabetes. Also, some studies suggest that it may even help to lower blood sugar in some people.
If you have diabetes, you want to avoid overcooking your pasta. When your pasta is overcooked, it loses its form and releases glucose easier, which will elevate your blood sugar. You should aim to cook the pasta until it is fit to eat, but do not cook it anymore than that.
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.
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!
People who have diabetes should include healthy, complex carbohydrates in their diet. Avoid very low-carb diets, as they deprive your body of much needed nutrients like fiber, minerals and vitamins. Give yourself the stamina to keep going by ensuring you have a sufficient amount of carbohydrates in your diet.
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.
Stay active and find an activity that you enjoy doing. When you have diabetes, exercising is crucial to helping you lower your cholesterol and your blood pressure. You can walk, ride your bike, or even dance; it doesn’t matter what you choose as long as you do something. Exercise can even impact how much medication you need to take each day.
If you have diabetes, be especially diligent about keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Diabetes can make your heart and blood vessels extremely vulnerable to illness. If diabetes and heart conditions team up, you are all but guaranteeing yourself a stroke or heart attack. Staying healthy means incorporating exercise and nutritious food choices into your daily life.
Get enough sleep. Poor sleep habits or simply not getting enough sleep can impact many aspects of your health, including your diabetes. Studies have shown that even one night of lost sleep can cause a 25 percent decrease in insulin sensitivity. Losing sleep can also cause your hormones to become unstable, which often leads to an increased appetite and consequently a higher glucose level.
As stated before, diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble with insulin, either through low production or lack of response. This can be troublesome for diabetes sufferers who have higher than normal blood sugar levels. The tips from the article above will help you if you have diabetes.