Diabetes is a lifelong disease that has no known cure. Dealing with this chronic condition can often feel overwhelming, and it is only natural. Effectively managing your disease requires considerable effort on your part and often, necessitates a dramatic change in your lifestyle. The more you know about managing diabetes, the easier it will be to cope with your diagnosis.
If your child is diagnosed with Diabetes, make keeping track of their blood sugar fun. Have a contest where they get a reward for doing their blood sugar on time every day for a certain number of days, like a trip to the toy store or an hour at the park.
Diabetic children will find temptation around every corner, so it is up to you as their parent to give them something else to focus on. For example, the kids at school would offer my daughter candy, so we paid her for the candies she brought home. She could then use the money to buy a toy or clothing that she wanted.
Your insurance may cover a trip to the nutritionist once you’re diagnosed with diabetes, so take advantage of it! Bring a list of your favorite foods with you and ask if there is any way for you to make them healthy AND tasty, meaning you can have a treat without any of the guilt.
Take the stress out of diabetes management by developing more consistent habits. As an example, leave the meter and your insulin supplies in the same location when you head off to bed each night, so you know exactly where they are in the morning. Doing everything according to a set schedule and organizing your supplies will make treating your diabetes less taxing.
When you’re on a plane it can be hard for a Diabetic to keep their feet moving. Try to do little exercises while you sit, like moving your foot up and down or turning it in circles. Keep wiggling your toes to ensure your circulation gets blood right down to your tippy-toes.
Many people think diabetics have to avoid all sweets, but this isn’t necessarily true. When planning a sweet dessert or snack, just make sure it is included in a healthy meal or with exercise. Your doctor can guide you with pointers to help you include desserts and snacks in your diet.
If you see ANY damage to the skin on your feet and you have Diabetes you must let your podiatrist know as soon as possible! He’ll be able to tell you what to use to keep it clean and free of infection, and prescribe you an antibiotic cream or gel if necessary.
If you have diabetes, a great tip in managing your blood sugar is to never skip meals. When you skip meals, your body uses the glucose from your liver for fuel. For people with type 2 diabetes, the liver does not sense that the blood has enough glucose, so it keeps pouring out even more glucose. Therefore, skipping meals is not a good idea if you have diabetes.
If you are a diabetic and find that your foods are too bland, you may want to add some cinnamon. It does not contain any sugar, calories, or sodium, so it is healthy for diabetes. Also, some studies suggest that it may even help to lower blood sugar in some people.
Try your best to keep your body fat as low as possible because the more you weigh, the greater chance you will have of acquiring diabetes later on in life. Reduce the amount of meat and carbs that you eat to maximize your chance of maintaining good health over time.
Be vigilant when monitoring your glucose levels. If your blood glucose levels are especially high before mealtime, this may be an indication that your liver is producing far too much glucose. Try taking your insulin 60 to 90 minutes before your meal, rather than 30 to 45 minutes beforehand. This will give your body’s insulin a head start needed to more effectively manage blood glucose.
Having to avoid sugar is a myth when it comes to diabetes. You don’t have to get rid of sugar altogether, you just have to be wise about it. An occasional sweet dessert eaten in a small amount is allowable. Because food high in sugar can add carbohydrates to your system, make sure you adjust what you are eating accordingly to compensate for this increase in carbohydrates.
Closely monitor how much trans fat and saturated fat you are taking in. The trans fat in vegetable oils and fried products contribute to heart disease and severely affect patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, the saturated fat in red meats and other foods does the same thing. Eat these types of fats at healthy levels.
If you have diabetes, you should avoid changing your medication without first talking to your doctor. It can be dangerous to experiment because your blood sugar can drop dangerously low by doing this. Therefore, you need to talk to your doctor, and find out what options he or she suggests for you.
If you suffer from diabetes, it is essential that you get a proper amount of exercise. Everyone needs exercise, but those suffering from diabetes definitely need daily exercise in order to keep blood sugar under control. If you struggle with finding time to exercise, then try walking during your lunch break, and always be certain to take the stairs when you can.
Eat a healthy diet and control your weight in order to avoid developing Type II diabetes. People who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes, so keep your weight at an optimal level. Eat healthy foods and limit your intake of sugar, as diabetes develops when the body is unable to process sugar properly.
A comprehensive education about diabetes, such as, its contributing factors, symptoms, and effects on your health, as well as techniques for its management, is necessary if your goal is to lead as full and healthy a life as possible. Countless diabetics have implemented the suggestions offered in this article with excellent results.