Information is your number one ally in your fight against diabetes. This article contains some very useful information to empower you to better cope with and manage this precarious and often life changing disease. Failure to start implementing changes in your health will result in serious ramifications with your diabetes.
Handfuls of almonds can satiate you enough to slay your hunger spikes without disturbing your glucose levels. Almonds without salt contain protein, fiber, and other minerals and vitamins that are healthy to eat. Almonds are a high protein snack that can improve diabetes and prevent heart disease.
You should test yourself for sleep apnea if you suffer from diabetes. If you have sleep apnea, you should get it treated immediately to stay healthy.
If you are diabetic, be very careful when getting a pedicure. Even a small cut can result in an infection for a diabetic.
Many grocery store items contain this ingredient, so become label conscious. If you find HFCS on the label, pick something else. In Canada, high fructose corn syrup appears as “glucose/fructose”.
Have gum and sugary food on your body at all times if you have hypoglycemia. You have to be prepared, because a hypoglycemia attack can happen anywhere or any time. This is even more important if you skip breakfast, because your body will be craving sugar.
Gestational Diabetes
If you are a pregnant woman and believe you might be a carrier of gestational diabetes, you should consult with a trusted doctor immediately. By not controlling gestational diabetes, you are putting the health of yourself and your baby in jeopardy. Your physician could prescribe medication that is safe for pregnant women and he could also give you advice on what to eat.
Call your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your vision as a diabetic. Glaucoma, cataracts and retinopathy can appear because of diabetes. Do not take these problems lightly. Diabetes has been known to cause people to go blind when they do not take care of themselves and their diabetes.
The chips and candy in a vending machine may seem to promise quick energy, but a diabetic should avoid these snacks. Keep these snacks out of your kitchen cupboard also. At all costs avoid this temptation, and try a fruit, or perhaps a veggie.
Watching what you eat is of critical importance when you have diabetes. Different foods will all have different effects on your blood sugar, so take care when choosing your meals and snacks. Large meals may call for large insulin doses, and a snack requires less. It is possible to actively manage glucose levels if you are careful about what you eat.
Diabetics may find their health is better when they plan for up to six smaller meals per day, rather than three large ones. Eating small but frequent meals over the course of the day helps to maintain your blood sugar at a steady level. You will be more satiated and less likely to binge if your eating is more frequent.
Glucose Levels
If you find a high glucose reading immediately after treating a low reading, do not be unduly alarmed. There are two reasons this can happen: either your body is releasing hormones in response to your low glucose levels, or you’re consuming too much to make up for your low glucose levels. The next time, try to drink or eat half of what you normally do, then check the levels again after a half hour.
Smoking cigarettes is especially dangerous for diabetics. Smoking harms everyone, but it can spike blood glucose which can be hazardous for those with diabetes. If you want to quit and seem to be having a hard time, talk to your doctor.
Take your insulin as directed by your doctor. In general, you should take insulin no more than 15 minutes before you eat. Insulin is helpful in maintaining the level of sugar in your blood, if you take it in the right quantities and at the right time.
If you are dealing with diabetes, cinnamon is a great spice that can be included in your foods because it does not add sugar, sodium or calories to your diet. Cinnamon brings out the natural sweetness in certain foods without the added sugar that can raise blood glucose levels. It has not been proven that cinnamon can efficiently lower you sugar levels, but it cannot harm you.
Insulated Bag
If you’re a diabetic, it is important to keep your insulin in an insulated bag if you are going away for a while. Extremes of temperature, either too warm or too cold, can ruin insulin. Using an insulated bag will keep insulin at the proper temperature in any weather.
Information will always give you the best chance of winning any battle, and that’s especially true when dealing with something as dangerous and as unpredictable as diabetes. What you’ve just read here, are a collection of tips that you can use to empower you, when working hard to conquer the disease. Don’t waste time; get started today.