A simple needle prick each day isn’t what creates the fear of diabetes in people. Conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, which is a disease of the eye linked to diabetes, bring about the most fear. Weight loss, exercise and a healthy diet are treatments that you can practice to prevent serious complications caused by diabetes. Use the tips laid out here to cope with the illness, and manage it well.
When you are experiencing diabetes, it’s a good idea to consume several small meals, as opposed to having three bigger meals. When you eat more often throughout the day, it helps keep your blood sugar stable. If you eat more often, you won’t get as hungry between meals — and you won’t eat as much.
Gestational Diabetes
You are not to blame when you have gestational diabetes. Pregnancy often causes gestational diabetes, and there is really not much you can do to prevent it if you are susceptible to it. Avoid stress and adopt a positive attitude towards your pregnancy.
Don’t worry if your high blood sugar raises directly after having a type of low glucose reaction. 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. If you’re concerned about a spike after eating, try cutting your portion size in half to see how portion control affects your blood sugar level.
This can increase the chances of your child developing diabetes, either at birth or as he ages. Do all you can to take care of your body and keep your baby safe.
If you want to limit diabetes’ effects on your everyday life, then stop smoking. In addition to increasing your risk of lung cancer, smoking can cause a spike in your blood sugar level if you have diabetes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
A variety of spices can add flavor to a diabetics diet without adding sugar, fat or calories. Cinnamon will bring out the sweetness in your food without raising the sugar levels. Some even believe that cinnamon will lower blood glucose levels, but the jury is still out on that one.
Favorite Foods
Alter the foods that you love eating as opposed to eliminating them. One of the hardest things diabetics deal with is the constantly restricted diet. It is a myth that all the foods you love are off the table now. Other people will continue to eat their favorite foods despite any diet they are on. Instead of tempting fate, a smarter idea is to think about your favorite foods and make healthy substitutions wherever you can. Many foods can be made diabetes-friendly by using healthier alternatives to the problem ingredients.
Diabetes does not mean you have to avoid sugar. The key to keeping a little sugar in your diet is to use moderation when eating sweet items. Don’t be afraid to indulge in your favorite desserts every now and then. When you do eat sweets, remember that you are eating more carbs, so on a day when you are going to have dessert, it is a good idea to lessen your carbohydrates.
As the introduction of this article mentioned, it’s the potential to go blind and other debilitating side effects associated with diabetes that really scare people. You can work past the fear and use the information you’ve learned here to ensure that you’re never a victim of these nasty complications.