To put it simply, having diabetes means that your body can no longer produce the proper amount of insulin to help regulate your blood sugar levels. While this might seem easy to understand, the treatment involved with regulating insulin production and managing diabetes is actually very complicated. The following tips offer simple ways 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. Keep in mind that foods with a lower glycemic index are better for a person with diabetes.
Add walnuts to your salad. Walnuts are full of monosaturated fats. This makes your cells become more receptive to the insulin. Walnuts also contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are an all-around great, healthy food.
Add some almonds to your diet to keep your cravings low and not have an effect on your blood sugar level. Almonds, and a lot of other nuts for that matter, are very high in protein and fiber, and they contain zero sugars. Place a bowl of almonds next to your easy chair and munch on them while you are watching television.
Experiment with alternative sources of protein such as eggs and tofu instead of just eating meat. Try to mix it up to keep your mouth interested!
If your child has diabetes it can be hard, but you can deal with it! Today, diabetes is becoming so common that there are many new treatments that can offer a normal life for your child. It is reported that the world’s oldest diabetic is now 90 years old. He made it to this age without all the modern treatments now available to diabetics!
If you are diabetic, be very careful when getting a pedicure. Since diabetics are at an increased risk for foot-related complications, it is especially important to safeguard against possible fungal infections or cuts.
Many things at the grocery store have this item, so be sure to read all of the labels. This is labeled “glucose/fructose” in Canada.
Find out what foods contain high amounts of glucose and raise blood sugar. Bread, juice and pasta are very in high in terms of the glycemic index. Processed foods are bad for your blood glucose levels. So look into eating vegetables, fresh fruit, meat and fish instead.
Gestational Diabetes
Many different foods have this ingredient, including sodas, condiments, and most sweets. Read the labels carefully to avoid foods that contain it. In Canada, high fructose corn syrup appears as “glucose/fructose”.
Remember to consult your physician if you’re pregnant or if you think you have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes requires you to act immediately to protect your health. Your doctor will be able to tell you what you should eat and perhaps give you some medications.
You are not to blame when you have gestational diabetes. Sometimes it happens and a lot of the time you cannot stop it from happening. It’s important to keep stress to a minimum and keep your thoughts positive.
If you find a high glucose reading immediately after treating a low reading, do not be unduly alarmed. This happens because your body is releasing hormones to tell your body to use more sugar than necessary. 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.
Add more fibers to your diet to reduce the risks of getting diabetes. Whole grains are low-GI foods, which reduces your risk of diabetes, while white foods are generally high-GI, which increases your risk. Research shows that a diet high in whole grains can decrease the chances that a person will be afflicted with the disease.
Fast-acting insulin shots are usually best taken a few minutes before a meal. This insulin helps your blood sugar stay at a proper level when it is used properly. But it needs to be dosed and timed out properly.
Remind Yourself
You need to remind yourself that managing diabetes is the best thing you can do. Remind yourself of life’s enjoyments, what is stopping you from enjoying those things, and how you can work around those blocks. Make sure you remain focused on what is important, and use this as a motivational tool.
Make sure you speak with your doctor if you are having vision problems and are diabetic. Many eye problems can be caused by diabetes, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. You must attend to these problems right away to avoid possible vision loss and/or blindness.
Instead of totally eliminating foods you love, alter them so that they are healthier. One of the big misconceptions about diabetes is that sufferers must follow a much stricter diet. A majority think that they have to get rid of favorite dishes. Some people will eat whatever they want. The intelligent solution is to make reasonable substitutions to your favorite dishes. You would be surprised just how many dishes can be made diabetic-friendly just by using healthier replacements for offending ingredients.
Diabetes sufferers may have various other health issues that could go unnoticed, like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing. If you feel sleepy during the day, as if you didn’t sleep at all during the night, see your doctor about sleep apnea.
If you skip meals, you might trigger a spike in your blood sugar. Your liver sometimes releases glucose into your bloodstream when you are starving so that cells can get the nutrients they need. This can cause a dramatic rise in your blood sugar if you are diabetic. To prevent this, eat your regular meals as well as carbohydrate filled snacks between meals. Follow the recommended diet plan of your physician.
You have to be meticulous about what you’re eating when you have diabetes. Blood glucose levels are affected differently by various foods, so it is necessary to keep close tabs on your food choices. Large meals require large insulin injections while small meals require less. If you carefully consider what you eat, your glucose levels can easily be managed.
Do not allow living with diabetes to become a complicated thing. Focus on the tips you’ve read in this article, in order to make living with diabetes a simple day-to-day routine that you can easily incorporate into your life. If you can follow these tips, you’re on your way to wellness.