The important thing to remember if you have diabetes is that this is a disease of which you can stay in complete control as long as you know how. Make sure you take the time to read the tips below to find out how you can work to control your diabetes. A few minutes of your day will go a long way.
Did you know that it is recommended that diabetics have a diet high in dairy? Studies show that dairy can help keep blood sugar levels from spiking, so having as much low-fat dairy as possible, can be a huge help to a diabetic. Have a tall glass of skim milk at breakfast and some cheese at lunch. It’s healthy and tasty!
Diabetics MUST visit their doctor regularly to keep tabs on their blood sugar, weight, and medications. Your physician might know of a new treatment that could be useful to you, or see something in your blood work that indicates there is a problem. Having your doctor weigh you will also give you an accurate measurement of how well you’re keeping your weight under control.
Herbal tea is a great drink for diabetics as it contains many wonderful nutrients and can taste so good you don’t even think about adding cream or sugar. Be sure to check the ingredients as some manufacturers will add sugar or artificial sweeteners.
The best thing a person can do to avoid diabetes is to exercise. People who exercise 30 to 60 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, can lower their risk of developing diabetes by almost 50 percent. Exercise improves the health of your heart and lungs, reduces stress, reduces fat, increases metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels.
Find a diabetic friend to support you through your journey with diabetes. You’ll be able to swap ideas, share recipes and just have a shoulder to cry on when things get stressful. You can even give them a call when you’re having a craving and they’ll talk you through it! Friends can keep you sane and that’s especially true, if they’re going through the same hardship that you are.
To save money, the American Diabetes Association approves the re-use of testing lancets. These are the needles used by your glucometer to test your blood sugar. Re-using them does result in them becoming dull, so be sure to change them out when you notice the pain level of your testing rising. Never share lancets.
If you snore you are twice as likely to develop Diabetes than someone who doesn’t. This might be because most people who snore are overweight, and it’s the extra weight that can lead to Diabetes. Deal with the weight and you’ll conquer both the snoring and the Diabetes!
Try to avoid soda and other sugary drinks of you have diabetes. There are no health benefits from drinking these drinks and can in fact, cause your sugar levels to go higher. If you are going to drink juice, try to stick to ones that have no sugar in them.
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.
Almost all insurance companies will now pay for blood glucose monitoring equipment for diabetics to have in their homes. It is important to keep machines in good working order and clean. This is vital to assure you obtain accurate results. Your manufacturer’s directions have directions on how to clean and maintain your machine.
If you have diabetes, you should avoid changing your medication without first talking to your doctor. It can be dangerous to experiment because your blood sugar can drop dangerously low by doing this. Therefore, you need to talk to your doctor, and find out what options he or she suggests for you.
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.
Diabetes affects your risk of heart disease, so to lower this risk, consider taking an aspirin every day. Diabetics are at higher risk of heart disease because the platelets in their blood may tend to form clumps more easily, which can lead to heart attacks. Aspirin can counter this risk. Ask your doctor if you should add aspirin to your daily treatment routine, since you should avoid aspirin if you have conditions like bleeding ulcers.
Adding additional fiber to your diet may help to control your diabetes. Several scientific studies have shown that fiber has a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Eating fiber can also help you to feel full and thus, lose weight. Healthy weight levels are known to be associated with positive blood sugar levels as well.
If you are a diabetic, consider seeking the help of a nutritionist. A nutritionist is able to help you with problems as such as: what to eat, what you can’t eat, what diets to follow and what to eat as a bedtime snack. Nutritionists also provide assistance in answering questions you may have.
Control when and how much you eat. Try to eat meals and snacks at the same time every day. Eating at the same time will keep your blood sugar regulated and make it easier to maintain. How much you eat is important because even if you eat healthy, but overeat, you can gain weight.
Of course, while it only takes a few minutes to read these tips, it may take a long time to properly apply them so that you’re experiencing the best possible results. Do not let diabetes deter you. It may be an ongoing battle, but it is a battle you can win as long as you’re using information like what you have learned here.