If you have diabetes, you know this disease affects every aspect of your life. You can reduce the impact this disease has on your life, as well as the severity of your symptoms, when you possess the knowledge to effectively manage it. Use these tips to better manage your diabetes with a few simple changes.
Did you know that it is recommended that diabetics have a diet high in dairy? Studies show that dairy can help keep blood sugar levels from spiking, so having as much low-fat dairy as possible, can be a huge help to a diabetic. Have a tall glass of skim milk at breakfast and some cheese at lunch. It’s healthy and tasty!
When starting an exercise plan to lose weight and get your Diabetes in check, find a partner to work out with. If you are going to work out together then you can make sure that both of you always show up, and then watching each other exercise helps ensure that you each are doing the exercises correctly.
Learning to read the nutrition data on food labels is key to eating the right diet for your Diabetes. Keep track of how much carbohydrates, sodium, sugar, fat, protein, and fiber are in each food you eat and try to only choose those which will keep your weight in check.
The more you exercise, the more insulin sensitive you become. Even if you’re not feeling well or injured you’ll need to find something to do that gets your heart pumping. If your legs aren’t working, use your arms, or vice versa. Even rolling around on the floor can get your Diabetes in check.
Keep track of your Diabetic supplies and make sure you always have a backup. Obviously, keeping a huge stock of insulin isn’t feasible as it has an expiry date, but lancets and test strips don’t! Keep enough insulin on hand so that you know you’ll use it in time, but you also will never be left without it.
Diabetics should beware of caffeine as it can lead to potentially life-threatening blood pressure. Diabetes already has harmful effects on your organs, high blood pressure included, so you don’t want to tax your body any more than it already is. Caffeine can lead in a massive spike in blood pressure after ingesting it, so just stay away from it completely.
Find a free clinic in your area to have your Diabetes monitored if you can’t afford to visit your doctor every three months. You can call your local Diabetes association, ask at a local hospital, or inquire through your Health Department, to find out where the closest clinic is to you.
If you are the primary caregiver of a person with diabetes, you may need support also. You carry a heavy load caring for and making decisions for your loved one as well as monitoring their diet and lifestyle to keep them healthy. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. Your doctor can recommend respite care to give you a break, or even a nurse to help with care. You don’t have to do it alone.
If you find that you are frequently unable to keep your blood glucose levels under control, consider asking your primary care physician about whether an insulin pump may be a good choice for you. You may find that a pump can help you reach your targets, but it requires diligence and willingness to monitor insulin frequently.
Do not rely on chocolate for a quick fix if your blood glucose levels drop. While most diabetics feel that this is a harmless remedy, it may actually have the opposite effect. The body absorbs fatty foods far more slowly, so you will notice a faster increase in glucose if you opt for a sweet, but fat-free, food.
Some Diabetics can have a loss of sensation in their feet, so don’t use yours to check the temperature of water you’re planning on getting into! You could cause major damage by stepping into extremely hot water and scalding or burning your skin, so use your elbow to test instead.
To make sure your glucose and blood sugar levels stay stable, eat at the exact same times every day. When your body knows when to expect food, it will have an easier time processing it, and dramatic rises or drops will be less common. Try setting an alarm that beeps every time you need to eat.
If you have diabetes, wear an I.D. bracelet at all times. Although it may trivial, wearing an I.D. bracelet can save your life if you were to pass out as paramedics will know you suffer from diabetes and can help treat you effectively. If you do not feel like wearing an I.D. bracelet, make sure to keep something on you that says you are a diabetic.
Check your blood sugar levels regularly. It is possible to have dangerously high or low blood sugar without showing any symptoms. Having a persistently high blood sugar count can cause you to have an increased risk of developing kidney failure, circulation problems, heart disease stroke, and even blindness. Make sure you keep a record of your numbers as well, to watch for trends and sugar spikes.
If you suffer from diabetes, a great tip is to add vinegar to your food. Vinegar has been proven to reduce your post-meal blood glucose levels by as much as 40 percent. The reason is because vinegar can hold food in your stomach for a longer period of time, which buffers the rise in your blood glucose levels. Add some vinegar to your salad.
Be aware of what you are drinking. Many carbonated drinks and juices are made with high-fructose corn syrup, which is not good for anyone, let alone those with diabetes. These types of beverages are loaded with sugar (and thus, a lot of calories) that will leave you wanting more. Water should be your best friend!
See? These tips are easy to understand and easy to implement into your life. By doing so, you are sure to enjoy a life where diabetes does not have as much of a detrimental impact, and one where your symptoms are fewer and less severe. Overall, these tips improve your quality of life as a diabetic.