When you have been diagnosed with diabetes, managing it can seem like an overwhelming task that has the potential to take over your life. Getting some new tips for living with the illness is a simple process if you utilize the article that follows.

There is no shortage of foods with lots of protein, including lean meats, dairy products, and vegan options like tofu. Look into other protein rich foods to keep variety in your diet and to keep yourself from packing on the pounds.

Diabetes is very common nowadays. Acknowledging this can eliminate any shame or stress that came with your diagnosis, and make living with the condition much easier.

Gestational Diabetes

Talk to your doctor when you become pregnant and think you might have gestational diabetes. Failure to regulate gestational diabetes can carry serious consequences for you and the health of your baby. A physician can give you prescription medication safe for pregnancy and good dietary suggestions.

TIP! A wide variety of foods are rich in protein, including obvious sources like beans and eggs, and other healthful choices like dairy and tofu. Avoid burnout by trying new foods and recipes.

If diabetes is an issue for you, eat smaller meals more frequently, rather than having three larger meals every day. When you are eating frequently through the day, you avoid large blood sugar fluctuations. If you eat more frequently, it will decrease your risk of binge eating, and you feel more satisfied.

If you are dealing with diabetes, cinnamon is a great spice that can be included in your foods because it does not add sugar, sodium or calories to your diet. The great thing about cinnamon is its ability to draw the natural sweetness out of particular food items while adding no unnecessary sugar and causing no increases in blood glucose. Some studies indicate cinnamon actually lowers glucose levels while others do not, but it is a good spice to use anyway.

Glucose Tablets

TIP! Anything like sugary soft drinks and ketchup, along with many other sweets, contain this syrup, so make sure you are reading all the nutrition data labels and ingredients before purchasing these items that include high fructose corn syrup. Watch out for “glucose/fructose” too; this is the Canadian term for the same ingredient.

If you are a diabetic and have problems with hypoglycemia, consider speaking with your physician about the pros and cons of glucose tablets. Tablets are a better option for raising your blood sugar level than eating high-sugar foods. Your body can absorb sugar from glucose tablets far more quickly than it can convert food into glucose. In addition, you can carry these pills with you so that you can take them whenever your sugar drops, even if you don’t have immediate access to food.

Smoking is a bad habit for anyone; however, it is especially dangerous for diabetics. This habit just leaves you open to many poor health issues. Smoking actually increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes as it makes you resistant to insulin.

One myth regarding diabetes is that it’s necessary to always avoid sugar. The key to keeping a little sugar in your diet is to use moderation when eating sweet items. An occasional sweet dessert eaten in a small amount is allowable. Sweets translate into additional carbs, so when you are planning on having a dessert, you will want to consume less carbohydrates during the rest of the meal.

TIP! Know which foods have high GI values and can spike your blood sugar when ingested. This includes fruit juices and foods like bread, cereal and pasta.

Take some of the stress out of living with diabetes by applying the above tips to your everyday routine. Apply these guidelines and take control of your condition as soon as possible.