As difficult as getting a diagnosis of diabetes is, the condition is manageable, if you have the proper education. Read on to find out how a few simple life choices can dramatically improve your health and reduce the effects of diabetes.
These days, diabetics are everywhere. Don’t allow managing your diabetes to cause stress or shame in your life.
The “glycemic index” number for a food indicates how likely the food is to impact blood sugar levels due to the ingredients. Low glycemic index foods will also be best for those with diabetes.
If you suffer from diabetes, it is wise to undergo a test for sleep apnea as soon as you can. If you receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea, pursue treatment quickly so that you can keep yourself healthy.
You can eat some almonds if you are hungry. This will not affect your sugar levels. If you choose the unsalted variety, you will get fiber and protein in a yummy package. Always keep some almonds handy around the house so you always have them when you’re struck with the urge to snack.
Find out what foods contain high amounts of glucose and raise blood sugar. Foods with a high carbohydrate or sugar content include breads, cereal and most fruit juices. Foods that are processed and have a lot of chemicals and preservatives in them can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Add more fresh vegetables and fruits, meats and fish to your diet.
There are a lot of foods high in protein that you can eat, such as dairy, beans and tofu. Change things around to stay interested in your food.
If you have diabetes and love to snack, you may have a hard time resisting the vending machine snacks, or those snacks that you have around your own home. However, do yourself a favor and avoid such snacks in favor of complex carbs, like fruits and vegetables.
Try to keep a tight schedule in order to simplify your life and allow your body to get used to normal cycles. One idea is to establish a designated area for your glucose meter and testing supplies. When you are going to test your blood sugar levels, have a routine in place so you do not forget an important step, and you remember to write down the levels in a log.
Your sugar levels might spike if you have just treated a low glucose level. This is caused by one of two factors: your body responds to low glucose by releasing hormones, and you may actually be eating or drinking more than is necessary in response to lowered glucose levels. When this happens, you may want to reduce the food and liquids by about 50 percent and see how if affects your blood sugar levels within half an hour.
Sleep Apnea
This will make it more likely that your child will have diabetes either when he is born or later in life. Taking care of yourself will also take care of your child.
It’s crucial that diabetics get tested for sleep apnea right away. If you receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea, pursue treatment quickly so that you can keep yourself healthy.
Diabetics who smoke should stop immediately. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for everyone, but it can be especially dangerous for diabetics as it can cause elevated blood glucose levels. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
If you live with diabetes, be extra careful if you have a pedicure. Even a small cut can result in an infection for a diabetic.
Unless your doctor has given you different instructions, fast-acting insulin should be taken between one and 15 minutes before you eat. These insulin treatments are a good way to maintain your blood sugar levels, but only when taken at the right time and in the right dose.
Lower your diabetes risk by eating a diet high in fiber. Consumption of whole grains will cut your intake of white bread and other high glycemic foods, which are not beneficial for you. There have been studies done that have shown that when people eat more whole grains, they have less of a risk of developing diabetes.
Change your favorite dishes instead of removing them from your meal plans. Diets that are too restrictive can lead to great difficulty and failure. A majority think that they have to get rid of favorite dishes. Some people will eat whatever they want. The best thing to do is look at what you like to eat, and make substitutions. Some foods can be converted from diabetes-foe to diabetes-friend with a few minor tweaks.
You can save money by getting your diabetes medications from a website. It is often possible to set up recurring deliveries to prevent running out of your supplies.
Even if you don’t feel well and don’t want to eat, you need to eat low-GI foods every few hours, as well as check your blood glucose levels. Low glucose for long periods can make you feel dehydrated, so clear fluids are very important during that time.
Battling diabetes does not always have to involve expensive methods; try brisk walks in the park, jogging or reasonable fitness regimes. Try doing chin ups on the jungle gym, or lift weights using canned goods or fabric bags full of heavy items.
Even though gestational diabetes often vanishes after giving birth, you should still check your blood sugar regularly. It is a common misconception that once the baby is born, blood sugar levels will return to normal.
If you have diabetes and see that you have vision problems, make sure to visit with your doctor. Unfortunately diabetes can cause all sorts of eye problems, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. It is important to have these problems taken care of because the worse case scenario is that it can cause blindness.
Conditions of employment are not allowed to be affected by the disclosure of diabetes. You don’t have to express your medical issues upfront.
If you have diabetes, you have to be careful about what you eat. Different foods affect glucose levels differently, and you will need to carefully scrutinize your food choices. If you eat a large meal, it will require more insulin, while smaller meals will require less. By keeping an eye out on what you put in your body, you can effectively monitor your glucose levels.
You need to pack your insulin in an insulated bag when you travel. Insulin should remain within a finite temperature range and this sort of bag will prevent it from getting too cold or too hot.
Diabetes sufferers may find that it is helpful to eat small meals five to six times a day, instead of three square meals. Eating regularly throughout your day stabilizes your blood sugar levels. Eating more often also makes it less likely that you will binge, as you are likely to feel more satisfied.
Diabetics do well when their diet incorporates healthy carbs. Diabetics should not follow extremely low-carb diets; they may not provide the body with the nutrients it needs. Your energy levels will be enhanced with the proper amount of carbohydrates in your daily diet.
Cting Insulin
Have all your supplies in one bag and ready to go. It’s also good to have a couple other bags so your supplies will always be around. Make sure your insulin, syringes and meter hooks are together so you’ll always be prepared.
Unless your doctor tells you different, you should take your fast-acting insulin no more than 15 minutes before eating. Fast-acting insulin is only effective in managing blood sugar levels with careful timing and consistent dosing.
Learn about how ketoacidosis works. This condition happens when the acid in your blood increases, due to high blood sugar levels. This produces ketones, which raises your blood acid level. It is really dangerous and in a few cases, it results in a coma. Watch for symptoms such as extreme thirst, breath which smells fruity, and confusion. Symptoms are typically addressed with increased hydration and insulin. Prevent ketoacidosis by monitoring blood sugar, taking your insulin, being aware of the symptoms and knowing treatment options.
Always keep in mind the reasons why you have to take care of yourself and your diabetes. Think about what you like to do, and how managing diabetes can help you do those things; think about what motivates you. Keep yourself focused on the things that are important to you and allow them to motivate you in your management.
Try adding a small amount of vinegar to each meal. There is some evidence to suggest that adding a little vinegar to a meal can prevent blood sugar spikes associated with eating. Vinegar helps you slow down your digestion process and keep your food longer in your stomach.
Cinnamon is an excellent spice for diabetes sufferers to use in their cooking; it does not put any additional calories, sodium or sugar in the food. You can avoid raising your blood glucose levels by adding cinnamon to your foods, which adds natural sweetness without adding sugar Although studies on cinnamon lowering your glucose levels are mixed, but regardless, it’s still a good spice to include in your meals.
If you have learned that you have a diabetic eye disease, it is essential that you monitor the levels of glucose in your blood regularly. The condition of your eyesight might worsen at first, but it will improve over time. Controlling blood glucose will dramatically slow down all diabetes related eye diseases.
As you have read at the beginning, diabetes will only be scary if you do not know how to properly deal with it. If you read through this article thoroughly, and retain the knowledge in it, you’ll have great tools to know how to keep your health in balance.
Chocolate may seem like a quick tasty fix, but is very high in fat. Because your body digests fat slowly, and because of this chocolate takes longer to raise low blood sugar. Instead, opt for a fat-free sugary snack to quickly get your blood glucose back up to normal levels.