Diabetes is a devastating and very serious illness. It is absolutely essential that people arm themselves with enough knowledge to live a long and healthy life when they have diabetes. This article is packed with a variety of tips for living with diabetes.
Diabetes is very common nowadays. This helps to reduce any shame or stress that accompanies the diagnosis, but it really just makes your life much easier.
If you’re diabetic, you must learn to indulge healthily. You most likely do not need to give up those sweet treats for the rest of your life. If you have your blood pressure under control, it is okay to eat desserts once in a while. You can add a dessert into your meal by removing carbohydrates that equal the dessert.
Add walnuts to your salad to add a fresh, nutritious twist. They contain monosaturated fats, which make your cells more receptive to insulin, keeping your diabetes in check. In addition, walnuts provide you with vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. As if that’s not enough, they amp up your energy levels and taste fantastic, too!
Corn Syrup
Many foods contain corn syrup, so make sure to read food labels. In Canada, high fructose corn syrup appears as “glucose/fructose”.
Be sure to follow a diet that is high in fiber to reduce the chances of developing diabetes. The consumption of whole grain foods reduces the consumption of the more high glycemic foods, such as white bread, and this can lower your diabetes risk. Research has shown that people who eat more whole grain foods have a reduced risk of developing diabetes.
Remember to consult your physician if you’re pregnant or if you think you have gestational diabetes. If you do not take control of gestational diabetes, then you risk your own health and also the health of your baby. The best way to improve your diabetic condition during pregnancy is through diet and exercise.
If you’re a diabetic who enjoys snacking, it may be difficult to resist vending machine goodies. It is critical that you ignore snacks and eat fruits, vegetables, or any other complex carbohydrate.
Eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones is a good habit for people with diabetes. Eating more frequently, but in smaller amounts, keeps your blood glucose levels more consistent. Frequent meals also help to eliminate the risk of binge eating, since you will never feel ravenous.
After treating lower levels of glucose, you should not be surprised to see your blood sugar actually spike. This is because your body has responded by releasing hormones, or you have eaten or drank more than was needed when responding to the reduced glucose levels. When it next happens, reduce the amount you would eat or drink by half and then recheck your levels 30 minutes later.
If diabetes requires you to limit sugar or sodium, a terrific way to add flavor to your diet is to use cinnamon. Cinnamon naturally brings out the sweetness in food, and it doesn’t add any sugar in the process. The studies are mixed in regards to whether cinnamon may lower your blood sugar levels, but it is a great spice to consume.
If you find that hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a problem, ask your doctor if you should take glucose tablets. The tablets are simple to take wherever you go and help elevate your glucose levels quicker and more efficiently than foods with sugar.
Favorite Foods
Don’t completely eliminate your favorite foods, but rather try to make small changes to make them fit better into your diet. Diets that are too restrictive can lead to great difficulty and failure. Lots of people think they have to eliminate the majority of the foods they love. Some diabetics will ignore the restrictions and continue to eat their favorite foods. The smart thing to do is to find delicious substitutes for your favorite foods. A lot of foods can be acceptable for a diabetes diet if healthier choices are made in place of problem ingredients.
Smoking is a bad habit for anyone; however, it is especially dangerous for diabetics. Continuing to smoke if you have diabetes will increase your risk for many different health problems. When you smoke it makes your insulin resistant and if you are not already diabetic, it will increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
It is imperative to keep checking your blood sugar routinely, even though gestational diabetes will usually resolve itself after the birth of your child. Many people are under the misconception that once you have had your baby, you will no longer have abnormal blood sugar levels.
Egg Whites
Egg whites are a perfect breakfast choice for a diabetic. You will get plenty of proteins, while avoiding fat and calories, if you eat egg whites. Some ideas include omelets with egg whites, or fried egg whites with some turkey bacon.
If you are diabetic, it’s important that your teeth receive attention to prevent gum disease. Brush and floss on a regular basis to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Skipping meals could cause your blood glucose level to rise because your liver will release glucose to fuel your body when you are not taking in adequate nourishment. Eating regular meals, as well as having snacks with carbohydrates, will reduce the glucose being released.
As discussed earlier, diabetes is a serious health condition that requires proper treatment. Anyone diagnosed with diabetes simply must learn, as much as possible, about their condition and about the most effective management techniques. Any diabetics whom happens to read through the above tips will have taken another small step towards a healthier, normal life; but only if they choose to implement them and continue learning.
