Immediately following a diagnosis of a diabetic condition, many people feel as if the walls are closing in on them. This article is packed with useful guidelines for treating and living with diabetes without giving up one’s life. Using the tips provided is considered a conscious decision you are going to have to make.
The glycemic index is a number that all foods have. It lets you know how the food will affect your blood sugar. Don’t forget: Lower GI numbers mean that the food is better for someone with diabetes.
Healthy Snack
Eating almonds can satisfy a snack craving without sending your blood sugar through the roof. Almonds are high in fiber, and also contain protein. They are a very healthy snack that is easy to enjoy anytime. Stash some by your TV for a healthy snack while you’re watching your favorite show!
Simplify your life with organization and routine. By having your supplies in the same location, and by eating and checking your levels at the same time, you can function like clockwork and worry less about serious complications. When you are testing, do it at the same time each day, and keep a list nearby of the steps that must be completed so that you don’t skip any.
Find healthier ways to indulge if you suffer from diabetes. It is probably not necessary for you to ban sweets altogether. So long as your blood glucose level is at its proper level, having an occasional dessert will be fine. You can fit that dessert into your diet if you cut a comparable amount of carbohydrates away from your main course.
Add walnuts to your salad to make it even more nutritious. They have mono-saturated fats. These fats cause your cells to be receptive to insulin, and this helps keep your blood sugar levels on track. In addition, they contain antioxidants, minerals, omega-3s and vitamins. They also boost your energy and taste delicious!
Sleep Apnea
Sleeping well is especially important for diabetics and if you experience problems sleeping, it can be helpful to be tested for sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, get it treated as soon as possible to keep yourself healthy.
Anything like sugary soft drinks and ketchup, along with many other sweets, contain this syrup, so make sure you are reading all the nutrition data labels and ingredients before purchasing these items that include high fructose corn syrup. If you are Canadian, this ingredient is known as “glucose/fructose.”
It is important to bring along high-sugar foods or chewing gum if you are hypoglycemic. A hypoglycemic attack can happen at any time, so it is important that you are always prepared. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, avoid attacks by never skipping meals.
Learn which foods can raise blood sugar. High glycemic index foods are those that can raise your levels quickly. For example, most juices, breads, desserts, cereals, and types of pasta are high glycemic index foods. Foods that have been overly processed can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels. Choose better foods, including fruits that are fresh and vegetables that are not canned, as well as seafood and meats.
See your doctor if you have diabetes and begin to have vision problems. Diabetes can lead to many eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Cataracts can also be an issue. You will need to take care of these issues because you may become blind.
If you have diabetes and like to snack, resisting the “quick fix” snacks in vending machines is really hard. Try to stay away from these bad snacks and eat some fruits and veggies that have complex carbohydrates instead.
Insulin Injections
Be careful with what you eat if you’re diabetic. Foods change blood sugar levels differently in different people, so it’s up to you to keep track of how foods affect you. Large insulin injections are needed when a larger meal is consumed, while smaller insulin injections are acceptable when smaller meals are eaten. By watching your meals, you will be able to better manage your blood sugar.
It is a good idea for diabetics to have five or six small meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals. When you eat often during the day, you will be able to better control your blood sugar. Besides, eating more regularly should help you reduce your snacking.
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant mothers should understand and take heart in the fact that gestational diabetes has not been caused by something they have done. Pregnancy often causes gestational diabetes, and there is really not much you can do to prevent it if you are susceptible to it. Work on keeping yourself calm and relieving tension, as this is best for both you and your baby. Keep thinking positively.
Your sugar levels might spike if you have just treated a low glucose level. It may be caused by overcompensating with the food or drink you take or it can be a hormonal response of your body to combat the low glucose level. When this happens, you may want to reduce the food and liquids by about 50 percent and see how if affects your blood sugar levels within half an hour.
Rather than just giving up things you like, slightly change them. Many people find the most difficult aspect of diabetes is its restrictive diet. Diabetics sometimes believe that they must totally give up the foods they love. Some diabetic sufferers will just keep eating their favored dishes regardless of their condition. The healthiest solution is using tasteful substitutions to recreate more healthy versions of your favorite dishes. Many favorite foods are able to be diabetes-friendly simply by substituting healthier alternatives where appropriate.
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.