Diabetes is a serious disease that can cause many critical health complications or even lead to death if not properly managed. Living a healthy life after a diabetes diagnosis is possible if you educate yourself and learn the right ways to manage your diabetes. In this article, you will learn numerous useful tips for coping with diabetes.
The glycemic index is a number that reflects how much effect different foods have on your blood sugar level. Keep in mind that lower GI numbers are what a diabetic needs.
Almonds are full of protein and can help regulate the release of glucose. You will get plenty of fibers and proteins from unsalted almonds. Always keep some almonds handy around the house so you always have them when you’re struck with the urge to snack.
You can eat various protein foods, like beans, tofu, eggs, and dairy. Mix up your protein sources to keep from getting bored.
You will be able to deal with your condition more easily if you organize yourself. For example, keep your insulin and meter in one place each night so it is easier found in the morning. Make sure you routinely do everything you’re supposed to when testing.
If you are in a large crowd, chances are there are many other diabetics in that crowd, too. Don’t allow managing your diabetes to cause stress or shame in your life.
If you live with diabetes, be extra careful if you have a pedicure. Diabetics are prone to bad foot infections, therefore you need to be especially careful of any cut or puncture you receive there.
Using an online pharmacy may be more cost effective than physically going to the pharmacy in person. It is often possible to set up recurring deliveries to prevent running out of your supplies.
Glycemic Indexes
Learn the foods that have high glycemic indexes, as these can cause a sudden spike in your blood sugar levels. Foods such as breads, juices, desserts, cereal, and pastas have high glycemic indexes. In addition, these processed foods are bad on your blood sugar. Choose better foods, including fruits that are fresh and vegetables that are not canned, as well as seafood and meats.
This increases your child’s chances of developing diabetes when he or she is born or later in life. Don’t risk it – take care of your body and protect the health of your unborn child.
Remind yourself consistently why you manage your diabetes. Take a moment to consider how diabetes may be limiting you from doing what you love. Then, remember that there are ways to manage this chronic illness, and that there is hope yet to do these things again. Stay focused on what is important to you so those things will keep you motivated to continue to manage your disease.
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. You need to maintain your water intake due the feeling of dehydration during low glucose periods.
Smoking is dangerous and can be very dangerous if you’re a diabetic. This habit just leaves you open to many poor health issues. Smoking causes insulin resistance. If you aren’t a diabetic when you start, chances are you will develop type 2 diabetes within a decade of starting to smoke.
Blood Glucose Levels
Urine ketone tests should not be used as a sole measure of blood glucose levels. The only time you will have high ketone levels is when your blood glucose levels are greater than 200 mg/dl. The ADA advises instead that diabetics rely on better and simpler methods of testing blood glucose levels, such as testing strips and finger sticks.
People with diabetes often have other health issues that go unnoticed; one the more serious issues is sleep apnea. This is when you stop breathing in your sleep. If you feel more tired than you should be or have trouble staying asleep, you might have sleep apnea.
Keep your supplies handy so you always have them ready to treat sugar highs and lows. Do not forget to include meter hooks, insulin and syringes in these bags.
Do all you can to keep your stress level low. Diabetics may experience elevated blood glucose levels, especially when they feel upset or stressed. Yoga, meditation, Pilates, or even listening to soft music can help you avoid stress in your daily life. Deep breathing exercises are particularly good to learn, because you can make use of them practically anywhere.
There are many easy ways to make the foods you love healthier. Rest assured that you won’t have to avoid all of your favorite foods just because you suffer from diabetes. Identify ways to transform these foods into healthier options. If you have diabetes, search online for diabetic recipes or invest in a few cookbooks for diabetics. There’s no shortage of such recipes.
Blood Glucose
Blood glucose levels and eye diseases are directly related in diabetics. Controlling blood glucose is one of the best ways to protect your eyes. Controlling your blood sugar level can decrease the speed or progression of eye disease associated with diabetes.
Chocolate not only contains sugar, it also is a high source of fat. The fat in chocolate will prevent the sugar from reaching your bloodstream quickly because it is digested slowly. Foods with a lot of sugar but little or no fat are your best options.
It is essential that diabetics learn all they can about living with diabetes and how to take care of themselves to live a better life. The article below contains some very useful ideas to help diabetics control their disease.