There are actually two main diabetes types, and each can be dangerous for your body, and can create lots of damage for you. Education is essential in fighting diabetes. Take a look at the following tips and see how easy it is to live a healthy life with diabetes.
A large number of foods have an assigned “glycemic index,” which is a number that tells you how much the food affects your blood sugar after eating it. For diabetics, the GI numbers should be as low as possible.
Experiment with alternative sources of protein such as eggs and tofu instead of just eating meat. Mix up your protein sources to keep from getting bored.
Simplify your life with organization and routine. For example, put your meter and insulin in the same place every night to make it easy to find in the morning. When you test, make it a routine so you never forget a step or to write down your levels in your log.
Add a few walnuts to your salad for some extra nutrition and a bit of crunch! Walnuts have good fats that can help your body absorb insulin more readily, which will help your diabetes. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins for energy.
Diabetics must exercise caution when having a pedicure. Diabetics often develop foot problems and infections, so you must be very aware of any puncture or cut you notice on your feet.
If you suffer from diabetes, it is important to learn how to eat right. You don’t have to eliminate all the sweets you enjoy. Keep your blood sugar levels controlled and you can indulge on occasion. Allow room for the after-dinner treat by cutting out carbohydrates from your entree.
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. If you live in or go to Canada, look for ‘glucose/fructose’ on labels.
Blood Sugar Levels
Learn the foods that have high glycemic indexes, as these can cause a sudden spike in your blood sugar levels. For example, most juices, breads, desserts, cereals, and types of pasta are high glycemic index foods. Foods that are processed and have a lot of chemicals and preservatives in them can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Fresh produce, poultry and other lean meat are foods you should focus on to keep your blood sugars more under control.
Hypoglycemics should always have hard candy and sugary gum available in case of a hypoglycemic attack. The effects of hypoglycemia can be much more dangerous than those of hyperglycemia, and it can rear its ugly head at any time. If you have skipped breakfast, this is definitely true because your blood sugar will already be low.
You don’t have to join a gym to work out; walk at the park or take a jog around your block. Do some chin ups at the playground or when you are at home lift some canned goods.
See your doctor if you have diabetes and begin to have vision problems. Diabetes can cause an array of different eye problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Dealing with your condition is really important because failure to respond opens the door to the worst possibilities that include going blind.
The chips and candy in a vending machine may seem to promise quick energy, but a diabetic should avoid these snacks. Keep these snacks out of your kitchen cupboard also. It’s crucial that you avoid these unhealthy snacks, and instead fill up on fruit and vegetables.
There are ton of free ways to lose weight and battle diabetes, from jogging to doing work outs at a local park. You can try doing push ups or sit ups when you have some free time, or make extra efforts to move around the house.
Gestational diabetes is NOT YOUR FAULT! It happens often and is generally out of your hands. It’s important to keep stress to a minimum and keep your thoughts positive.
This makes your baby more likely to be a diabetic. It is very important for you to maintain good health so as not to doom your child to having diabetes.
If you have diabetes and smoke, you should definitely consider quitting. Smoking is bad for people in general, but it is even worse for those with diabetes because it can result in blood sugar being elevated to dangerous levels. If you are having problems quitting smoking, ask your doctor for quitting methods.
If you are a diabetic and you are having problems with your vision, be sure to talk with your doctor. Cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can be the result of uncontrolled diabetes. You will need to take care of these issues because you may become blind.
Once you have your diagnosis, lifestyle becomes the key element to managing diabetes. The healthier your lifestyle, the less chance you have of secondary effects like ketoacidosis and diabetic retinopathy.