Diabetes is affected by much more than the prescription you are given; your lifestyle plays a huge part. Below, you will read some expert tips to help you deal with your diabetes.
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. Diabetics should always look for foods with the lowest possible GI number.
If you do the same thing every time, your life will be more organized and easier. Don’t stumble around looking for items, such as insulin or associated equipment; have a place for it and keep it there. Make your blood glucose test into a daily routine so that you always remember to test your blood and always remember to write down the results.
Sleep Apnea
You should test yourself for sleep apnea if you suffer from diabetes. If you are found to have sleep apnea, receiving immediate treatment can greatly assist you in maintaining a good quality of health.
Learn which foods can raise blood sugar. High glycemic index foods are those that can raise your levels quickly. Breads, desserts, juices, pastas and cereals are some of the foods that have a high glycemic index. Processed food is bad for one’s blood sugar. Fresh produce, fish, and lean meats should be your main focus.
Gestational diabetes is becoming much more common nowadays, so be sure to speak with your doctor about your concerns and look into getting tested. If you are borderline diabetic during your pregnancy, cut back on your sugar and carbohydrate intake. Your doctor can give you a prescription to help with the diabetes, and also help with a food plan.
Diabetics should eat modest portions, more often — as often as six times a day, instead of three. When you are eating frequently through the day, you avoid large blood sugar fluctuations. More frequent meals also decreases your chances of overcompensating with binging later on.
Blood Sugar
If you find a high glucose reading immediately after treating a low reading, do not be unduly alarmed. There are two things that can cause this, your body floods itself with hormones in response to low blood sugar and you might be overcompensating in your caloric consumption. Try reducing your meal by about half the next time and then check on your blood sugar level about 30 minutes later.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you have diabetes. Chemicals present in cigarettes can raise the level of sugar in your blood significantly if you are diabetic. Consult your physician about available methods for terminating your smoking habit.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, fast-acting insulin should always be taken no more than 15 minutes before you eat. Quick working insulin can help you manage glucose, but your doctor must set up the timing instructions and amount for you.
Managing your diabetes can become tiresome, so it’s important to keep reminding yourself of all the reasons why it’s critical. Think about what you like to do, and how managing diabetes can help you do those things; think about what motivates you. Make sure you remain focused on what is important, and use this as a motivational tool.
Glucose Tablets
If you have hypoglycemia, speak to your physician about taking some glucose tablets. Carry around some glucose tablets so that you can increase the level of sugar in your system, rather than relying on sugar foods that take a long time for your body to process.
You can make changes to your favorite foods to make them work with your diabetes. This loss of foods you enjoy causes people difficulty in adapting to a diabetic 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 healthiest solution is using tasteful substitutions to recreate more healthy versions of your favorite dishes. Many dishes can turn into diabetes-friendly meals by using healthier ingredients as alternatives when cooking.
No matter how you are feeling, it is critical that you keep an eye on glucose levels and your overall diet. Fluids are very important during times of low glucose levels.
Smoking is dangerous for anybody, but it is even mroe problematic for diabetics. This habit produces many negative health effects. Smoking causes you to be resistant to insulin, and even if you are currently not a diabetic, it will put you in higher risk of type 2 diabetes development.
A common diabetic myth is that you have to avoid sugar. The key to keeping a little sugar in your diet is to use moderation when eating sweet items. Don’t be afraid to indulge in your favorite desserts every now and then. If you do choose to indulge, you should compensate by cutting carbohydrates from your meals that day.
As you can see, there is a lot to know about managing diabetes. It can be frustrating to live daily with diabetes. Use the information you learned here to get started and make sure you work hard to get rid of that dark cloud.