Diabetes is a serious disease. However, once diagnosed, you do not have to let it change the way you live your life. Diabetes can be kept in- check by simply monitoring your meals, exercise, and lifestyle. This article has tips on how to live the life you want without letting diabetes get in the way.
You can make a sandwich into a lettuce wrap, or even use it on a burger as a bun, but have you thought of doing a hot dog wrap? If you buy preservative-free hot dogs for a once-a-month treat, wrap them in a piece of lettuce to make them a bit healthier!
Diabetics MUST visit their doctor regularly to keep tabs on their blood sugar, weight, and medications. Your physician might know of a new treatment that could be useful to you, or see something in your blood work that indicates there is a problem. Having your doctor weigh you will also give you an accurate measurement of how well you’re keeping your weight under control.
Many health care providers offer diabetic classes for patients who want to be informed on their treatments. Find one in your area and get educated so you can take your treatment under control and know why you’re being given what has been prescribed to you. You never know, it may save your life!
Read labels on the foods you buy to determine which foods are likely to cause your sugar to spike. While it’s easy to see in unprocessed foods where the sugar or other ingredients are, it’s not so simple with processed or packaged food. Read the labels and avoid items that have been known to interact with your sugar.
When you’re on a plane it can be hard for a Diabetic to keep their feet moving. Try to do little exercises while you sit, like moving your foot up and down or turning it in circles. Keep wiggling your toes to ensure your circulation gets blood right down to your tippy-toes.
Do not eat snacks out of a bag. By eating snacks directly from its container, you are more likely to overeat and create a spike in your blood sugar levels. Get a plate and put a small portion on the plate. Eat it slowly, savor the flavor, and don’t get more after you have finished.
Even if you are not feeling any symptoms, it is important that you check your blood sugar levels every few hours. People think that because they feel fine, their sugar levels are stabilized and this is not always true. It is the silent symptoms that could land you in the hospital.
Get familiar with the glycemic index rating of foods to help gain better control of your diabetes. It is important to learn to recognize high glycemic foods like breads, fruit juices, cereals, pasta and rice. Eating more vegetables, lean proteins and other low glycemic index foods keeps your blood sugar from spiking after meals.
Just like you’re able to buy generic diabetic prescriptions and stay healthy, generic food items can be just as good as their brand name counterparts. Saving money is important to everyone, especially when you’re on a relatively strict diet. If you’re going to buy the generic brand, compare the ingredient list and nutrition data to the brand name to make sure you’re getting the same quality.
Be careful to not rely on diabetes candy bars and shakes too often. Although they are good for people on the go, they do not replace eating a meal. If you end up eating the candy bars or drinking the shakes too much, you could actually cause your blood glucose level to go too high.
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.
If you can’t stand drinking plain tap water but must to help control your Diabetes, try switching to sparkling water instead. There are many flavored options which have absolutely no sugar added and no carbohydrates at all. Try taking plain sparkling water and add lemon juice as it is known to help keep blood glucose levels stable.
If you develop an itchy rash, be sure to go to your doctor or the emergency room right away. This could be a sign of Pruritis, a common sign in people who suffer from diabetes. By going to a doctor or emergency room, doctors can give you treatment for your hypoglycemia that could save your life.
To keep your fingertips from cracking when you check your glucose levels, clean them with an anti-bacterial soap. While using alcohol to clean your skin may be your first instinct, it has a drying effect that makes your fingertips more susceptible to cracking. Anti-bacterial soap will ensure your hands are free of bacteria without drying them out.
Taking care of your teeth is extremely important when you have diabetes. When you have high levels of glucose in your system, you will also have that in your saliva which will bring about tooth decay. When you have diabetes, it is harder for you to fight any type of infection, so if you get gum disease it will be more serious than if a healthy person develops it.
Eat a healthy diet and control your weight in order to avoid developing Type II diabetes. People who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes, so keep your weight at an optimal level. Eat healthy foods and limit your intake of sugar, as diabetes develops when the body is unable to process sugar properly.
As stated in the article, diabetes can be kept under control with close attention paid on your part. Make sure to maintain a healthy diet, and keep track of your blood-sugar levels. Diabetes will not negatively affect your life if you do not let it. With the support of others, you can lead a wonderful life.