Diabetes is something to take seriously, and it can seem overwhelming. Individuals diagnosed with diabetes must learn how to care for themselves and preserve their health in order to live a long, happy life. The information here is a great resource for advice on dealing with diabetes.
Foods have a “glycemic index” number which says how much they will affect blood sugar based on what is in them. Keep in mind that you want a lower GI number, this is better for diabetics.
Enjoy foods like eggs, beans and Greek yogurt that are high in protein but low in fat. Excite your taste buds with new and different flavors!
Blood Sugar
Develop a “testing ritual” that you follow every time you test your blood sugar. As an example, leave the meter and your insulin supplies in the same location when you head off to bed each night, so you know exactly where they are in the morning. Stick to a routine when testing your blood sugar, and you are less likely to miss a step or forget to log your levels.
Find healthier ways to indulge if you suffer from diabetes. You will not necessarily have to give up everything sweet. If your blood sugar levels are under control, eating desserts occasionally is not a problem. Make room for sweets by removing the same amount of carbohydrates away from your meals.
Add a few walnuts to your salad for some extra nutrition and a bit of crunch! Walnuts are rich in monosaturated fats, which can help you manage your diabetes by improving the way the cells in your body process insulin. They also contain antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, plus they give you a major energy boost and taste great!
Sleep Apnea
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important that you get tested for sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is a problem for you, then seek treatment as soon as you can to maintain a healthy and active life.
Many grocery store items contain this ingredient, so become label conscious. If you find HFCS on the label, pick something else. Canadian products list high fructose corn syrup as glucose/fructose.
Switching to an online pharmacy is a smart way to save money on the many medications needed by diabetics. Many of these also have the option of setting up a monthly delivery subscription, ensuring you never are left without these important supplies.
Blood Glucose
Watching your diet carefully is important when you are diagnosed with diabetes. All foods are different and you will have to carefully monitor what you eat, otherwise the blood glucose level in your body will be negatively affected. Large meals may call for large insulin doses, and a snack requires less. Monitoring your meals will allow you to more actively control your blood glucose levels.
If diabetes is an issue for you, eat smaller meals more frequently, rather than having three larger meals every day. Eating more often during the day helps maintain your blood sugar at stable levels. Plus, by eating regularly you are less likely to have an eating binge due to being hungry.
Do not blame yourself for gestational diabetes. It happens, and often, it is totally out of your control. Minimize your stress and focus on the good things about your kid and you.
Alter your favorite foods instead of eliminating them. One of the hardest things about getting used to having diabetes is that the diet can be very restrictive. Many people mistakenly think they have to stop eating many of their most loved foods. Others will eat their favorites despite the diet. The best thing to do is look at what you like to eat, and make substitutions. You can often substitute an acceptable ingredient for an unacceptable one. The result may taste just as good but won’t be problematic for your diabetes.
Keep in mind that even though gestational diabetes may go away after childbirth, you should still check your blood sugar regularly for any abnormalities. Most people think your blood sugar will become normal once your baby is born, but that is not necessarily true.
As previously discussed, diabetes is a serious disease that needs to be properly treated. It’s important to be educated about diabetes if you have it so that you may learn the proper way to manage self-care. By using the tips contained in this piece, anyone with diabetes has a chance to greatly enhance their quality of life and general standard of health.