There are two kinds of diabetes, and each can affect your life in big way, if uncontrolled, both can damage the body a great deal. One of the most important steps you can take to manage your diabetes is to learn as much about the disease as possible. Look through this article and find the tips that can help you get through your daily life with this terrible disease.
If your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you might think your life is ruined, but it isn’t. Today, diabetes is becoming so common that there are many new treatments that can offer a normal life for your child. Currently, the earth’s oldest diabetic is 90 years old, and he has lived well before the medical breakthroughs we have seen!
There are tons of protein options, include dairy, eggs and legumes. Try shaking up your routine so your taste buds do not die of boredom.
You will see diabetics every day and not know it. Understanding this will help you to feel more comfortable with your diagnosis and make things simpler for you.
Many items on store shelves have this ingredient, so make sure you’re choosing products without it before you put them in your cart. Most soda drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, but so does ketchup, so check the labels. If you live in or go to Canada, look for ‘glucose/fructose’ on labels.
Walnuts make an excellent and nutritious addition to any salad. They are a source of monounsaturated fats. These increase your cells’ receptivity to insulin, thus controlling your diabetes. They taste great and boost your energy, and if that’s not enough, they contain omega-3, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
Make sure you always have gum or some other sugary snack on hand if you have hypoglycemia to worry about. It is vital to your well-being that you always stay prepared because your hypoglycemia can rear its head at any time. If you didn’t eat breakfast then this is especially true, as skipping meals will make your body crave sugar.
If you suffer from diabetes, as soon as you can, get tested for sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, you should get it treated immediately to stay healthy.
Blood Sugar
Lower the risk of getting diabetes by eating a diet high in fiber. Your risk will be increased by the intake of highly glycemic products, such as food that has been overly processed, rather than those made with whole grains. Eating whole grains more often has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes.
Learn to identify foods that have high glycemic indices and that can cause your blood sugar to spike. Bread, juice and pasta are very in high in terms of the glycemic index. The more processed the food, the worse it is for your blood sugar level. Stick to fresh and natural foods instead when grocery shopping for your diabetic menu.
Ditching the brick-and-mortar pharmacy for an online one can save a great deal of money when you need to buy your diabetes medications and supplies. You can order diabetes medication or supplies on a monthly basis, so that you’ll get your new shipment each month before your prescriptions run out.
Your doctor will do a regular screening for gestational diabetes. If you don’t control gestational diabetes, not only your health, but your baby’s health, is in jeopardy. You can take prescriptions that will not harm the baby and your doctor can help you set up a diet.
Know which foods have high GI values and can spike your blood sugar when ingested. Foods with a high carbohydrate or sugar content include breads, cereal and most fruit juices. Processed foods can also have a very detrimental effect on your blood sugar. Rather than consuming these terrible foods, eat fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Watching your diet carefully is important when you are diagnosed with diabetes. Every type of food can have a different effect on glucose levels, so it is crucial that you monitor your food intake closely. Larger meals will require larger insulin injections, while smaller meals require less. Keeping a close eye on your meals will help you to keep your glucose levels in check, and stay healthy.
As a diabetic, rather than eating three meals a day, consider eating five to six lighter meals. Eating more frequently, but in smaller amounts, keeps your blood glucose levels more consistent. If you eat more frequently it also helps keep binging away and keeps you feeling satisfied.
Smoking cigarettes is especially dangerous for diabetics. Diabetes and the effects of smoking can both inhibit blood flow. Even worse, it can cause quite a spike in blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit smoking.
It is normal for your blood sugar level to spike in response to low glucose treatments. 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. The next time, try to drink or eat half of what you normally do, then check the levels again after a half hour.
When you are going to eat a meal, unless your doctor has told you otherwise, remember to take your fast-acting insulin about 1-15 minutes beforehand. Fast-acting insulins are quite effective in maintaining blood sugar levels, but they must be provided in the proper dose and timing for each person.
It is important that, as a diabetic, you eat nutritional foods on a regular basis and check your glucose levels, even when feeling unwell and you have no appetite. If your level of glucose is low, make sure you drink plenty of water so that you do not get dehydrated.
Keep in mind the advantages to managing your diabetes effectively. Think about what keeps you from doing the things you love, and how you can change that. Keep yourself focused on the things that are important to you and allow them to motivate you in your management.
Smoking is a dangerous habit, but it can be extremely dangerous for a diabetic. Engaging in this destructive behavior will subject you to multiple health maladies. Smoking makes you insulin-resistant, and if you’re not a diabetic, you could be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
One seasoning that’s great for diabetics is cinnamon. It won’t add calories, sodium, or sugar to your dishes, but it will add flavor. Cinnamon can bring about a sweeter flavor without adding sugar, which can raise the level of glucose in the blood. Some studies have shown promising results when it comes to cinnamon, concluding that it can lower glucose levels. Results on this are mixed, but cinnamon is a fantastic spice regardless of its glucose benefits.
All diabetics should be trained to use a finger stick tester to check blood glucose levels several times per day. Your urine’s ketone level doesn’t give you specific information about your blood sugar level; it only tells you that your sugar level is significantly higher than normal. Rather, the ADA recommends that people with diabetes use finger sticks or test strips to get the accurate readings they need.
Adapt the recipes for the foods you like instead of thinking you can no longer eat them at all. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, it can be extremely hard to deal with following a strict diet. It is a myth that all the foods you love are off the table now. Some diabetics will ignore the restrictions and continue to eat their favorite foods. A great idea is to make substitutions for your favorite dishes. Some foods can be converted from diabetes-foe to diabetes-friend with a few minor tweaks.
It is illegal for a company to use diabetes as a factor for whether or not they will hire an individual. You are also not required to talk about your medical conditions at the beginning.
One of the goals in managing diabetes is to be able to live the lifestyle that you want. The more you do to keep yourself healthy, the more you can avoid diabetes’ dangerous effects.
People with diabetes are likely to have other undiagnosed health problems, such as a serious sleep apnea condition. People who suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing while they are asleep, interrupting oxygen flow to the brain. If you are feeling exhausted half way through the day, get tested for sleep apnea.