Diabetes can be a scary diagnosis, but you can manage it and live a healthy life if you have the proper knowledge. This article is packed with tips to teach you what you need to know about diabetes, and the right way to improve your health and manage your diabetes care.
For a quick and healthy way to squelch hunger without interfering with your diabetes, snack on almonds. Unsalted almonds are a nutritional goldmine where you can unearth nutrients, such as fiber and protein. Keep a bowl by the couch so you can grab some for a snack while you watch TV.
There are a lot of foods high in protein that you can eat, such as dairy, beans and tofu. Keep your mouth happy by eating different kinds of foods.
Diabetes is currently a very common disease. This should reduce your stress and make life easier.
Sleep Apnea
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is crucial that you get tested for sleep apnea as soon as you can. If you receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea, pursue treatment quickly so that you can keep yourself healthy.
Many different foods have this ingredient, including sodas, condiments, and most sweets. Read the labels carefully to avoid foods that contain it. Watch out for “glucose/fructose” too; this is the Canadian term for the same ingredient.
It is important to bring along high-sugar foods or chewing gum if you are hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia attacks can occur anywhere, and it is crucial that you are prepared for one. If you have skipped breakfast, this is definitely true because your blood sugar will already be low.
You should understand which foods have high glycemic indexes, as they can increase your blood sugar in a hurry. Breads, desserts, juices, pastas and cereals are some of the foods that have a high glycemic index. Processed foods and carbohydrates can been dangerous for diabetics. Try eating fruits, veggies, meats, and fish instead.
Make sure you speak with your doctor if you are having vision problems and are diabetic. Diabetes can cause various eye problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It is very important that you have ongoing medical attention for these eye disorders because they can lead to blindness.
Watching what you eat is absolutely essential. Your blood glucose will react to different foods in different ways so it is important to monitor what you are and are not eating. When you eat a bigger meal, you will need a larger insulin injection, and a small meal will require less. If you carefully consider what you eat, your glucose levels can easily be managed.
Lower Glucose
If your blood sugar level dips too low, you may need to drink something sugary like orange juice to get it back up. Don’t worry if your blood sugar level spikes when you do this. This can be caused by two things: You could be drinking or eating more because of the lower glucose or the lower glucose could be releasing hormones. When it next happens, reduce the amount you would eat or drink by half and then recheck your levels 30 minutes later.
If you have diabetes, you may want to put down that pack of cigarettes. Smoking is harmful to your blood sugar levels, as well as its other harmful effects to you and others. If you have a hard time quitting, talk to your doctor about what methods you may use.
Most diabetics need to take fast acting insulin a few minutes before eating. Check with your doctor to make sure this applies to you. This type of insulin is very effective in maintaining blood sugars, though that is only the case if it is properly timed and dosed for every individual.
Instead of totally eliminating foods you love, alter them so that they are healthier. One of the hardest things for diabetics to do is to follow a restricted diet. It is a myth that all the foods you love are off the table now. Some diabetics will ignore the restrictions and continue to eat their favorite foods. The better solution is to look closely at the foods you eat and make smart substitutions. A lot of foods can be prepared in a way that is healthy for diabetics to eat.
It is important that, as a diabetic, you eat nutritional foods on a regular basis and check your glucose levels, even when feeling unwell and you have no appetite. Extended periods of low glucose can leave you feeling dehydrated, so fluids are especially important during this time.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes should go away after the baby is born, but make sure you are always checking your sugar levels. Women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to develop a diabetic disorder later in life.
All diabetics should be trained to use a finger stick tester to check blood glucose levels several times per day. High ketone levels in the urine indicate only that your blood glucose is approximately higher than 200 milligrams per deciliter. Finger sticks or testing strips are recommended by the ADA and will give you a more accurate result.
As mentioned earlier in the article, diabetes should only be scary if you are not educated on how to live with it daily. Remember that knowledge and good habits are the only tools you need to deal with diabetes.