There are many lifestyle changes that you may find difficult, even when faced with the challenges of diabetes. However, if you have diabetes, it is essential that you begin to make those necessary lifestyle changes for your health. Here are some great tips you can use to cope with diabetes.
Every food has a glycemic index, which is a number that shows how great of an effect that food will have on blood sugar levels, based on its ingredients. Having a low GI number is important if you are trying to manage your diabetes.
The glycemic index is a number that all foods have. It lets you know how the food will affect your blood sugar. Low glycemic index numbers are the best ones for people who suffer from diabetes.
There are a lot of foods high in protein that you can eat, such as dairy, beans and tofu. Excite your taste buds with new and different flavors!
A great tip to use to keep in control of diabetes is to live life in a orderly fashion. For instance, put your insulin and meter in the exact same place every evening so you know where it is in the morning. Get into a routine every day to do the test and then record the levels into your log.
Walnuts make an excellent and nutritious addition to any salad. The monounsaturated fats in walnuts can increase cell receptivity to insulin to help your body maintain good blood sugar levels. They also have omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which will give you energy.
Handfuls of almonds can satiate you enough to slay your hunger spikes without disturbing your glucose levels. Natural, unsalted almonds are healthy for you, as they are full of protein, fiber and healthy nutrients. Always keep some almonds handy around the house so you always have them when you’re struck with the urge to snack.
Sleep Apnea
People with diabetes are at high risk for sleep apnea, so get tested right away. If you are found to have sleep apnea, receiving immediate treatment can greatly assist you in maintaining a good quality of health.
Many foods contain corn syrup, so make sure to read food labels. It can also be labeled “glucose/fructose”.
Develop a “testing ritual” that you follow every time you test your blood sugar. One idea is to establish a designated area for your glucose meter and testing supplies. Stick to a routine when testing your blood sugar, and you are less likely to miss a step or forget to log your levels.
Add more fibers to your diet to reduce the risks of getting diabetes. The risk for diabetes increases with foods such as enriched wheat flour or white bread. Choose whole grain wheat if you want to lower the chance of contracting diabetes. It has been widely researched and reported that those who eat a good portion of whole grains will have a lower chance of developing diabetes.
Have gum and sugary food on your body at all times if you have hypoglycemia. Attacks from hypoglycemia can pop up any place and at anytime; therefore, it’s vital you are properly prepared in case one occurs. This is very true if you did not eat breakfast, since your body is demanding sugar.
Using an online pharmacy can help you save money on your prescription diabetes medications. They even have it set up so you can receive your medications monthly, this way you never have to worry about running out of the crucial supplies you need.
Always keep sugary gum or another form of sugar that is quick to grab and consume on hand when you are hypoglycemic. A hypoglycemic attack can happen at any time, so it is important that you are always prepared. This is especially significant if you are prone to avoiding breakfast, which results in the body feeling a significant need for sugar.
Processed Foods
Know which foods are low on the glycemic index and will help your body release glucose slowly. Some of these high glycemic foods include cereal, pastas, breads, and juice. Your blood sugar is also very vulnerable, in general, to processed foods of all sorts. Try replacing processed foods with the usual suspects: meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables.
Talk to your doctor when you become pregnant and think you might have gestational diabetes. If you do not get in front of this condition, you are risking both the health of you and your child. Your doctor can advise you on how to eat and if you need any medication.
Pregnant women should remain in contact with their doctor to facilitate early detection or prevention of gestational diabetes. If you don’t act proactively, you are putting your health, as well as the health of your child, at risk. If you do have gestational diabetes, your doctor can help you control it using both prescription medication and dietary changes.
There are certain types of diabetes which can be cured, but only in rare instances. Once you figure out that you need to make changes, be sure that you make them for life. These ideas and tips can give you the knowledge, but that can only take you so far. The rest must be done by you.