Many people seem to think that they cannot have a normal life anymore when they’re diagnosed with diabetes. These tips will help you educated yourself about managing your diabetes in a functional way so you can live normally. Using the tips provided is considered a conscious decision you are going to have to make.
Look at the glycemic index on the labels of the foods you buy. This is an indicator of how this food will affect sugar levels. Keep in mind that lower GI numbers are what a diabetic needs.
If you are a diabetic, you have to learn to snack in a healthy fashion. It might not be essential that you give up sweets completely. Give yourself permission to enjoy an occasional dessert if your diabetes is properly managed and under control. You can even make a little room for your desserts by getting rid of some carbohydrates from your meal.
Throwing some walnuts into your salad will and a tasty nutritious touch. Walnuts are a source of monosaturated fats. These fats make it easier for cells to receive insulin, making walnuts an easy way to fight back against diabetes. They taste great and boost your energy, and if that’s not enough, they contain omega-3, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
If you suffer from diabetes, as soon as you can, get tested for sleep apnea. To keep yourself in optimal health, it is critical that you treat any sleeping disorder you may have as quickly as possible.
If you have hypoglycemia, you need to carry a sugary food such as gum with you. You should always be prepared because there is no way to know when you are going to suffer from hypoglycemia. This is particularly true if you didn’t eat breakfast, as it can cause your body to crave sugar.
You can save a ton of money on prescriptions if you switch to an online pharmacy. Many of these pharmacies allow you to have shipments sent automatically each month, so you won’t run out of supplies.
Blood Sugar
Learn to identify foods that have high glycemic indices and that can cause your blood sugar to spike. Breads, desserts, juices, pastas and cereals are some of the foods that have a high glycemic index. Foods that are processed and have a lot of chemicals and preservatives in them can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Fresh produce, fish, and lean meats should be your main focus.
Be sure to call and schedule a doctor’s appointment if you are having issues with your eyesight. Many eye problems can be caused by diabetes, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. If you do not address these problems with your physician, they might result in more serious conditions, including blindness.
Sometimes when you’re a diabetic, and you are tempted to snack, it is hard to resist the goodies that surround you. You should avoid giving in to this temptation. Instead, consume a food with complex carbohydrates like fruit and vegetables.
Always keep in mind the reasons why you have to take care of yourself and your diabetes. Stay conscious of the hobbies and activities you enjoy that rely on your good health. How can diabetes affect those hobbies if not controlled? By staying focused on what’s most important, you’ll remain motivated in your diabetes management.
If you have diabetes, cinnamon is a great spice to eat without adding sugar, sodium or calories. Cinnamon naturally brings out the sweetness in food, and it doesn’t add any sugar in the process. It has not been proven one way or the other if cinnamon can reduce glucose levels, but either way, it is a great spice to include in your diet.
If you’re diabetic, you need to eat and check your blood sugar regularly, even if you’re feeling sick or don’t have any appetite. Keep the fluids up as well, in order to avoid dehydration.
Smoking is dangerous and can be very dangerous if you’re a diabetic. Do not start smoking and if you already do, you should consider quitting. Smoking causes your body to become more insulin resistant than normal, and could cause type II diabetes if you don’t already have it.
One urban myth regarding diabetes is that sufferers cannot eat sugar. There is no need to cut sugar out entirely, but you do need to be vigilant about what sweets you eat. You will still be able to indulge in small servings of your favorite sweets on special occasions. When you do eat sweets, remember that you are eating more carbs, so on a day when you are going to have dessert, it is a good idea to lessen your carbohydrates.
Work out often. If you exercise regularly, you can ensure your body will effectively process glucose and insulin. For any diabetic, exercise is a vital part of one’s routine.
Urine Ketone
Don’t use urine ketone body tests exclusively as a means of testing your blood sugar. Urine ketone testing is a blunt instrument; it can’t distinguish between levels of 200 mg/dL (high) and 500 mg/dL (critical, requires immediate medical attention). Instead, the ADA advises diabetics to rely on more accurate testing methods, such as finger sticks and testing strips.
Employers cannot refuse you a job based on the fact that you have diabetes. Thus, it is not necessary to inform anyone about your medical issues up front.
Diabetics often have other undetected health issues, and one more serious issue is sleep apnea. People who suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing while they are asleep, interrupting oxygen flow to the brain. If you feel sleepy during the day, as if you didn’t sleep at all during the night, see your doctor about sleep apnea.
The tips above should have given you a good idea of the little things you can do to manage your Diabetes and have a fulfilled life. There is no reason for you to live less of a life than you want to live. You are the only person who can control the type of life you have whether you have diabetes or not.