Diabetes is an extremely serious, life threatening disease. Because diabetes is so serious, it is critically important that individuals who are diagnosed with the disease, educate themselves on the proper ways to care for their health, in order to ensure that they live long, productive lives. This article contains a number of tips for diabetics.
If you’re Diabetic, you must quit smoking. End of story, period, that’s that. You cannot have any bad habits while your body is already having these types of problems or else any treatment you’re receiving will be sabotaged. It’s time to make a choice – do you want to live a long, healthy life, or smoke?
Pressure on your feet can cause major damage to a Diabetic, so be sure to buy shoes that are exactly the right size and have cushioning for your feet. There are even special shoes made for Diabetics that have specific features which are of benefit to sensitive feet like yours.
If you want to choose a treat that might be high in sugar, go for an item that is also high in protein. For example, ice cream has a lot of protein to help you break down the sugar in it. Another option is cheesecake with a high fiber crust. Yogurt with berries can also be a great treat, especially if you use non-fat unsweetened yogurt like kefir.
If you have a family history of diabetes, make sure to have your blood sugar and insulin levels checked at least twice a year. Research has shown that people with a family history of diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing the condition than those with not family history of it.
Make your favorite comfort foods more diabetes-friendly. One of the hardest things diabetics deal with is the constantly restricted diet. Many people believe they must completely get rid of many of their favorite foods. Many people will eat their favorite foods whether they should or not. The smart thing to do is to adjust your favored dishes with substitutions. Many foods can be made diabetes-friendly by using healthier alternatives to the problem ingredients.
To decrease the effect sugars and carbohydrates have on your body, consume plenty of fiber. Fiber works as a sort of natural buffer that will help keep your blood sugar down even when you’ve eaten things that normally make it spike. If you’ve eaten something you shouldn’t, a quick fiber rich snack can help counteract its effects.
It is important that you keep your feet clean if you are a diabetic. The feet are a common place on the human body for infections to develop. For a person without diabetes, these infections can be easily taken care of. For a diabetic, the treatment process is not as easy.
You have to learn how to eat healthier foods in amounts that are not much too extravagant. Eating too much can cause a large spike in blood sugar levels, depending on what you are eating. Avoid buying items that are described as jumbo, deluxe, super sized, or jumbo.
Even though carbohydrates have a huge impact on a person’s blood sugar levels, a person who has diabetes does not have to totally avoid them. However, you should be wise about what types of carbohydrates you consume. Complex carbohydrates, such as those found in whole grain brown rice and rolled oats, cause you to stay full longer since they digest slowly. They also aid in keeping your blood sugar level more stable.
A great tip to handle your diabetes is to maintain consistent eating habits. Skipping meals can lead to overeating which in turn can lead directly to weight gain. This, as you know, is terrible for diabetes and is exactly the opposite of what you should be trying to do. Eat at the same times each day to keep yourself from getting hungry.
A good tip for people dealing with diabetes is to never skip meals, especially breakfast. If you do not eat for several hours for whatever reason, your body relies on glucose released from your liver for energy. People with diabetes continue to produce glucose even when their body has had enough so make sure to eat something to let your liver know to stop producing glucose.
Diabetes affects your risk of heart disease, so to lower this risk, consider taking an aspirin every day. Diabetics are at higher risk of heart disease because the platelets in their blood may tend to form clumps more easily, which can lead to heart attacks. Aspirin can counter this risk. Ask your doctor if you should add aspirin to your daily treatment routine, since you should avoid aspirin if you have conditions like bleeding ulcers.
If you are diabetic, be aware of the possibility of gastroparesis, which is slow digestion due to nerve damage. This condition causes food digestion to be delayed and very slow. Because of this, it is extremely difficult to establish normal blood glucose levels. Discuss possible medications with your doctor to treat this condition.
If you are afflicted with diabetic eye disease, then monitoring and controlling your blood sugar is really critical. It has been proven that, although controlled blood sugar levels can worsen your eyes for a short time, they are beneficial to your eyes and protect them over a long-term period. Keeping blood sugar at healthy levels can prevent diabetic retinopathy from getting worse.
A great tip that can help you if you’re struggling with diabetes is to not be afraid of using your insulin pen. If you have a fear of needles, the idea of using an insulin pen probably makes you uncomfortable but they’re painless and they can really help you.
As was stated at the top of this article, diabetes is a very serious disease. It is crucial for people who are diagnosed with diabetes to learn as much as they can about the disease and to learn the proper ways to care for their body’s health. The helpful advice contained in this article is useful for all diabetics, as well as, their family members and loved ones.