Living with diabetes can be quite the challenge. Between frequent doctor visits, testing your own blood sugar, and managing your diet, it can be so much for a person to handle. Knowing what you need to do is half the battle. Read the rest of this article, and hopefully it will make it easier for you to manage your diabetes.
Experiment with alternative sources of protein such as eggs and tofu instead of just eating meat. Don’t let it get boring! Mix up the routine and keep your mouth at attention the entire time.
Going for a walk, jog, or run with your dog, is an excellent way to exercise and help keep your diabetes under control. It will also help your dog stay at a healthy weight, which can save you both heartache and money on vet bills. You’ll motivate each other to keep going!
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.
Unless you drive a car that lacks air conditioning in super hot summer temperatures, or are on a safari in Africa, you probably don’t need ice packs for your insulin. If you’re worried about leaving it in the car at the mall, take it with you! I doubt you’ll have so much that it won’t fit in your purse, pocket, or bag.
It is important that you have your cholesterol checked at least once a year if you have diabetes. Having diabetes increases your chances of developing high cholesterol, which can cause serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. There is a simple blood test called a fasting lipid profile that checks your cholesterol levels.
Eating out at restaurants or getting take out is not only bad for a Diabetic’s health, but also their checkbook. Save money and your blood glucose level by eating at home instead. You can find many copycat recipes online for all your favorite foods, and even healthier versions which are better for you.
If you find that your A1C levels are disproportionately higher than your typical blood glucose levels, the problem may be that you are measuring your pre-meal levels, which does not give you an accurate reading. Your average levels may not accurately reflect readings that are taken before, during, and after eating your meals.
Learn what foods have a high-glycemic index sweet like cookies, sugar-laden soft drinks, as well as carbohydrate filled breads. Cereals, and pastas are all high-glycemic index foods. These foods can cause your blood sugar to rise very quickly, usually referred to as a spike. Stick to the perimeter of the store, with fresh produce and meats, and avoid heavily processed foods.
Many diabetics feel harassed by loved ones who are always inquiring about their blood sugars and testing habits. Instead of becoming frustrated or resentful, sit down with the other person and clearly identify what steps they can take in order to more effectively contribute to managing your condition. Chances are, the other person is not trying to irritate you, but instead is looking for ways to help out.
If your doctor approaches you about starting to take insulin, do not respond negatively without first listening to the reasoning of a medical professional. While you may know someone who developed complications from taking insulin, understand that the complications from allowing diabetes to go unchecked can be significantly more damaging, even life-threatening.
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.
Due to the nature of diabetes and the circulation issues it can cause, you need to always pay attention to your feet and make sure that there are no infections developing. This is important because it is very easy to get an infection that could lead to the need for amputation if not caught in time or severe blood poisoning from dying skin tissue.
When it comes to dealing with diabetes, make sure that you are not doing it alone. It is important because it is much easier to deal with problems like this if you have a close friend there to help you cope with it. This can be beneficial either through advice that they can provide or just by having somebody to talk to.
Managing your blood sugar when you are a diabetic can be a challenge. Some things to keep in mind are eating the same amount at the same time everyday. This will ensure that you keep the right amount of sugar in your diet so that you can be happy and healthy.
See a podiatrist regularly if you are diabetic. Diabetes can lead to circulation concerns in the feet. For this reason, proper foot care is essential. Have your podiatrist trim your toenails and manage any open sores. Failure to do this could lead to severe problems, even those requiring amputation.
If you are diabetic, watch for symptoms of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. These symptoms can include clammy hands, mouth numbness, and feeling extremely thirsty. Low blood sugar can lead to serious health complications if it is not immediately addressed. To counteract symptoms, eat a natural form of sugar and follow with a source of protein. Be sure to consult your doctors if symptoms do not improve.
If you struggle with diabetes, be sure to check your glucose levels carefully after any intense exercise. Your body can burn glucose for up to twenty four hours after you have done rigorous exercise. If your body does not have enough sugar readily available, it will begin to take sugar from your bloodstream, resulting in low blood sugar .
As it was said in the beginning, diabetes is quite the challenge. There are so many things that a patient with diabetes needs to remember and consider. Hopefully, reading this article helped to ground you, and allowed you to understand how in a practical way this disease can be managed and effectively controlled.