Diabetes is a condition that often causes stress and anxiety. The trick to maintaining an enjoyable life while suffering diabetes is learning enough about the condition to enable yourself to have relief from symptoms. Guidelines like the ones here in this guide can aid you in doing that.
It’s not something that you should feel ashamed about, especially since it’s increasingly common. Your daily life will be less stressful if you disregard the tendency to feel ashamed of your condition.
Check the glycemic index to determine how much different foods will affect your blood sugar level. Keep in mind that you want a lower GI number, this is better for diabetics.
Switching to a diet that is high in fiber can lower your risk of developing diabetes. This is a good way to replace high glycemic foods, such as white bread or processed foods by whole grain foods. Research demonstrates that diets rich in whole grain are at lesser risk of suffering diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Be sure to call and schedule a doctor’s appointment if you are having issues with your eyesight. Diabetes is associated with a number of eye problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. It is critical that you address any vision issues as soon as they appear because diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.
Get a few almonds to satisfy your cravings without upsetting your blood sugar levels. Almonds, and a lot of other nuts for that matter, are very high in protein and fiber, and they contain zero sugars. Fill a bowl with almonds for snacks you can grab whenever you feel hungry.
Watching what you eat is of critical importance when you have diabetes. Different foods will all have different effects on your blood sugar, so take care when choosing your meals and snacks. Adapt your insulin injections to what you eat. If you carefully consider what you eat, your glucose levels can easily be managed.
After treating lower levels of glucose, you should not be surprised to see your blood sugar actually spike. This is because your body has responded by releasing hormones, or you have eaten or drank more than was needed when responding to the reduced glucose levels. In the future, cut the amount you’d normally eat in half, and wait 30 minutes to check your levels.
If you are a diabetic and also smoke, it is in your best interests to quit. Diabetes and the effects of smoking can both inhibit blood flow. Even worse, it can cause quite a spike in blood sugar levels. Consult your physician about available methods for terminating your smoking habit.
If you suffer from diabetes, proceed with caution when receiving a pedicure. Be careful if you get a cut on your feet as those with diabetes are more prone to food infections.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, use your fast-acting insulin up to as much as 15 minutes before eating a meal. Fast-acting insulins work very well to maintain blood sugars, but they must be properly dosed for the individual.
When you are adapting to a new diabetes management program, remember all the reasons why you want to overcome this disease. Think about what keeps you from doing the things you love, and how you can change that. Stay focused on the important aspects of your life, and allow those things to motivate you to keep managing your diabetes.
If diabetes is a condition you have, cinnamon is a wonderful spice that you can use in your diet with inviting calories, sodium or sugar in. Cinnamon can make foods sweeter without adding sugar. There is some debate about whether cinnamon can lower glucose levels, but it is not harmful and can enhance many dishes.
Many grocery store items contain this ingredient, so become label conscious. If you find HFCS on the label, pick something else. When in Canada you will notice this product is called “glucose” or “fructose”.
Glucose Tablets
As a person diagnosed with hypoglycemia, make a point to consult with your physician about the possibility of taking glucose tablets. Carry around some glucose tablets so that you can increase the level of sugar in your system, rather than relying on sugar foods that take a long time for your body to process.
A common misconception regarding diabetes is that sugar is not allowed in your diet. You are not required to ban sugar, but you must be intelligent about sweets. You will still be able to indulge in small servings of your favorite sweets on special occasions. Since eating sweets adds extra carbohydrates, it is best to cut back on other foods that contain carbohydrates when you have that special treat.
Be sure to call and schedule a doctor’s appointment if you are having issues with your eyesight. Diabetes can lead to many eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Cataracts can also be an issue. You will need to take care of these issues because you may become blind.
You shouldn’t only rely on urine ketone testing as a means to measure blood sugar levels. The only time you will have high ketone levels is when your blood glucose levels are greater than 200 mg/dl. The ADA tells diabetics to use better ways to test yourself, these can be testing strips or finger sticks.
Egg Whites
Egg whites make a great breakfast if you have diabetes. Egg whites have hardly any fat or calories, they also have great protein levels that you need to get your day going! Make an omelet out of the egg whites, or scramble them up and serve with some sliced ham.
You should watch what you are eating if you have diabetes. Every type of food can have a different effect on glucose levels, so it is crucial that you monitor your food intake closely. If you eat a large meal, it will require more insulin, while smaller meals will require less. If you are careful about what foods you do and do not eat, you will be able to better manage your glucose.
If you’re a diabetic, it is important to keep your insulin in an insulated bag if you are going away for a while. Insulin should be protected from extreme temperatures. An insulated bag is your best bet for keeping it at the right temperature.
Individuals diagnosed with diabetes also typically have other health concerns that are not identified at first; sleep apnea is one that can be very harmful. People with this condition stop breathing for a short time while they are asleep. It may pay off to get checked for sleep apnea if you feel excessively exhausted during the daylight hours.
As you can see from the information in this article, there is a lot of helpful advice to help you cope with your diabetes and make your life better and more fulfilling. Remember that the information laid out here is just a bit of the information available, so keep learning all you can about managing your diabetes.
Don’t get alarmed if your blood sugar rises right after a treatment for low glucose reaction. There are two things that can cause this, your body floods itself with hormones in response to low blood sugar and you might be overcompensating in your caloric consumption. Keep checking your sugar levels and learn to adjust the quantity of food you need.