If you suffer from diabetes, then you’ve come to the right source. Learning more about this chronic disease is vitally important for diabetics, because while there is no known cure for this condition, there are easy steps that you can take to help manage the severity of your symptoms.
The number one thing to keep in mind when you’re diagnosed with Type II Diabetes is that it’s not the end of the world! You will be able to live a long, healthy life with this condition as long as you take the steps necessary to keep it under control.
One key to beating type II diabetes is to lose weight. It’s actually all the fat on your body that is causing you to be diabetic, so getting rid of it can literally cure you if you are type II. Even a loss of as little as 20 pounds can have a profound impact on your health.
Go online for help with your Diabetes! There are many forums and groups of people who are just like you and they love to help others. You’ll find all kinds of advice about every facet of Diabetic life, from coping with family members who are not supportive to recipes and diet tips.
While at work, try to get in as much exercise as possible to keep your Diabetes in check. Take the stairs to the next floor to use the washroom, or go for a brisk walk around the cubicles during a break. You can even pump some iron with a bottle of water when you’re on the phone!
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.
You can find the most common Diabetic supplies and medications available at some grocery stores for a significant discount. This can help you keep your medical bills in check, leading you to be more likely to take your medications as instructed. Feel free to reuse your syringes a few times, that will also save you money.
Choose a diet containing lots of fiber. It is certain to lower your chances of developing diabetes. When you add more whole grains to your diet, you will reduce how much high glycemic foods you eat, such as white bread, and you should also reduce how much processed foods you eat because these will increase your risk. Evidence suggests that it is possible to reduce your risk for diabetes by eating a diet that contains whole grains.
If your spouse or partner is suffering from diabetes, one way to help and encourage a healthy lifestyle is exercising together. Exercise has been shown to reduce or help reverse the effects of diabetes. Encourage your partner to go on walks with you, or find a local gym where you can spend time together as well as getting healthy!
Try buying food at local farmer’s markets or at the farm itself to get discounts on healthy foods. A diet for Diabetes doesn’t have to be expensive, you just have to look for deals and sometimes shop in different locations. Eating farm fresh eggs for the first time will make you a believer!
Most people know that reducing their fat intake is a major step in a heart-healthy diet. For diabetics, this is even more important because the heart relies on controlled and well-maintained blood sugars. Target reduced or eliminated saturated fats, which are often from animal sources and include lard, bacon, and butter, as well as plant fats, like vegetable shortening.
If you struggle with diabetes, a great tip is to always include healthy carbohydrates in your diet. People with type 2 diabetes who eat a minimal amount of carbohydrates have very low energy and extreme headaches. You should aim to include healthy carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You will have more energy and less headaches.
Don’t eat the “white” foods if you have Diabetes. This includes white flour (pasta, bread, etc.), white rice, and white potatoes. These all contain carbohydrates but don’t provide enough fiber or protein to help break them down in your body so you’ll avoid a massive blood sugar spike after eating them.
Educate yourself. Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a scary prospect, so seek out information in order to be prepared and know what to expect. You can look into a class at your local community college, or check with the American Diabetes Association, as they have a team of educators who hold informational meetings you can attend.
If you have diabetes, it is important that you learn to recognize high glycemic index foods. These types of foods will make your blood sugar rise very fast, which can be dangerous. If you are not sure which foods fall into this category, take your time when food shopping to read the food labels.
Improperly managing your diabetes and blood sugar levels can lead to binge eating and overeating. Failure to accurately assess your body’s individualized responses can lead diabetics to continuously eat for fear of allowing their blood glucose levels to dip below acceptable and healthy levels. Diligent monitoring can give you a more accurate assessment than your feelings of fullness.
If you suffer from diabetes, a great tip is to add vinegar to your food. Vinegar has been proven to reduce your post-meal blood glucose levels by as much as 40 percent. The reason is because vinegar can hold food in your stomach for a longer period of time, which buffers the rise in your blood glucose levels. Add some vinegar to your salad.
To fully understand diabetes, it is important to be aware of how the decisions that you make and the lifestyle that you lead can affect your disease. We hope that, after applying the information presented in this article, you now have a better idea of how to treat and manage your symptoms.