Diabetes is a medical condition that should be taken seriously by anyone afflicted with it. However, it does not have to devastate your life, if you take the steps and precautions necessary to treat diabetes every day. By taking control of your diabetes, you can live a satisfying and fulfilling life.
Beans for breakfast, beans for tea, beans for you and beans for me! Beans are packed full of protein and fiber, which are both very important in the meals of a diabetic. Try to include as many beans and lentils in the foods you eat as possible. Just cook them up and throw them into everything, from chili to salads!
Eating almonds can satisfy a snack craving without sending your blood sugar through the roof. Unsalted almonds contain a lot of protein, fiber, and other nutrients that are great for your body. Keep a container or bowl of almonds handy by the television or computer so you have a handy snack whenever you need it.
When starting an exercise plan to lose weight and get your Diabetes in check, find a partner to work out with. If you are going to work out together then you can make sure that both of you always show up, and then watching each other exercise helps ensure that you each are doing the exercises correctly.
Drinking water is important for everyone, but is especially so for diabetics. There is a reason that most diabetics drink like a fish before they are diagnosed and begin treatment! Keep your water intake high to help you keep your weight down and your hydration up, especially if you exercise.
If you have Diabetes then alcohol is not your friend. Alcoholic drinks are full of sugar and that will not help your blood sugar levels. A glass of wine has more sugar than hard liquor and beer will has less sugar than wine but more than liquor.
Don’t use alcohol swabs before an insulin injection. It’s actually unnecessary, as long as your skin, hands, and needle are clean. Alcohol swabs will dry out the skin, making it more likely that the injection site will stay open. This can actually increase the risk of an infection at the site.
If you suffer from diabetes and you are going to exercise, it is important that you check your blood glucose afterward. Strenuous activity can cause your body to burn off blood glucose and if your body does not have enough glucose, you can develop hypoglycemia. If your glucose levels are too low, try eating foods that have carbs to raise your glucose levels.
The key to a Diabetic diet isn’t necessarily cutting anything out completely, but instead is about counting up what is in that food item and eating it in an appropriate moderation. For example, having a slice of cake can be fine as long as you work it into your meal and have a smaller piece than you might have pre-diagnosis.
If you notice that your urinary ketone levels are uncommonly high, this may indicate that your body is especially low on insulin levels. Your body is being forced to process sugar, rather than fat as fuel for your body from day to day, or as part of your fasting efforts. Consult your physician if ketone levels continue to rise as this may be indicative of a condition called ketoacidosis.
If you have Gestational Diabetes then the concept of “eating for two” needs to be forgotten. You’ll need to reduce your food intake to small amounts every few hours to keep your blood glucose levels in check over the long term of a day. Don’t forget to have a snack before bed to control overnight blood sugar!
Even though salads are a healthy option for people with Diabetes, you should be careful about the salad dressing. Dressing can contain a large amount of sodium and fat, which may cause your blood sugar to fluctuate outside of the normal range. Oil and vinegar based dressings tend to be healthier. As a suggestion, ask for the dressing to be served on the side, so that you can control how much you eat.
While some people view vacation as a chance to get away from all of their most pressing obligations, the same cannot be said of blood-glucose testing. Instead of entirely shirking your duties, you may be able to follow a more relaxed approach. You may be able to splurge on your eating habits, delay waking up for an early-morning glucose check, or testing as frequently.
Watch your feet. More than half of all foot and leg amputations performed in the U.S. are related to diabetes. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and loss of feeling in your feet, known as Neuropathy. It is important for diabetics to check their feet often. You should watch for red spots and swelling, and keep your feet cared for by trimming your nails and wearing comfortable and supportive shoes.
A good way to minimize the impact of diabetes is to exercise more. Exercising more can increase the sensitivity of your cells to insulin, so that your body is able to take up more glucose on its own. This can reduce the symptoms of diabetes, and it allows many people to manage their diabetes by diet.
Diabetes does not have to keep one from doing the things that they wish to do and enjoy. By properly monitoring ones blood sugar and doing the necessary things to maintain it one can enjoy their life still. One can have an excellent quality of life regardless of their diabetes.
Cinnamon is very beneficial to diabetes sufferers. This wonderful spice adds a little sweetness to foods such as oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt, without added sugar. Some studies show that partaking of cinnamon can lower blood sugar, as well as cholesterol and triglycerides levels. It tastes delicious, stimulates digestion, and makes one feel more alert.
As stated earlier, you can be a proactive part of your treatment of diabetes. You have the obligation to yourself to make the best informed choices to minimize the negative effects of diabetes on your life. Following these tips will help ensure you have a lifetime of happiness, without being controlled by your diabetes.