If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you know that it is all about your body’s inability to make the right dose of insulin to keep your blood sugar at the proper level. Though this sounds straightforward, finding the right treatment can be a challenge. The following tips offer simple ways to manage your diabetes.
Almonds are a great way to curb your appetite and they won’t bother your blood sugar levels. Plain almonds have lots of protein, fiber and other nutrients, making them a healthy food to consume. Place a bowl of almonds next to your easy chair and munch on them while you are watching television.
Check all the foods you eat for the “glycemic index”, which is a number that shows you exactly how your blood sugar levels will be affected. The lower the glycemic index, the better it is for you to eat!
There are many high protein alternatives to meat, such as eggs, tofu, beans and other dairy products. Try to mix it up to keep your mouth interested!
Today, diabetes is a very prevalent condition which most people are generally very aware of. This helps to reduce any shame or stress that accompanies the diagnosis, but it really just makes your life much easier.
Walnuts add a touch of nutrition to your salad. They have mono-saturated fats. These fats cause your cells to be receptive to insulin, and this helps keep your blood sugar levels on track. Furthermore, walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 acids and antioxidants. They are nutritionally dense and delicious!
Do things the same way each time, and life will be easier and better organized. For example, put your meter and insulin in the same place every night to make it easy to find in the morning. When testing, keep track of it as a routine so that you don’t forget any steps. Also, try to jot down your numbers.
Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup is found in a surprising number of food products, so you should check the ingredients on most drinks or condiments before buying them. Sometimes, this ingredient is labeled differently, depending on the country of your residence. In Canada for example, high fructose corn syrup is usually found on food labels as “glucose” or “fructose.”
Choose a diet containing lots of fiber. It is certain to lower your chances of developing diabetes. White breads and processed food items usually are high-glycemic and up your chances of diabetes, but if you make a habit of choosing anything with whole grains, you are unlikely to eat them. It has been widely reported that consuming foods with whole grains can lower your chance of becoming a diabetic.
Diabetes is currently a very common disease. Doing this allows ease in your life and also cuts down on the stress and embarrassment of having diabetes.
Blood Sugar
If you are a diabetic, you need to carefully watch what you eat. Your blood sugar will be effected differently by various foods, so keep track of what you eat and how it will impact your blood sugar. Bigger meals will need higher injections of insulin, and small meals might require less. If you are proactive with your meals, you will be able to appropriately manage your blood glucose levels.
When you have diabetes, it is a great idea to eat five to six small meals, instead of three bigger meals a day. When you eat more often throughout the day, it helps keep your blood sugar stable. Eating more frequently also helps to decrease the risk of binging, as you will feel more satisfied.
Learn to indulge healthily if you are living with diabetes. It may not be necessary to avoid sweet treats completely. If your blood glucose is properly regulated, you can safely eat desserts occasionally. Eliminate some carbohydrates from your main meal if you want to eat desert!
Don’t worry if your blood glucose levels spike right after treating a hypoglycemic episode. There can be two reasons for this. One, your body may be releasing hormones in response to low glucose levels. Two, you may be eating too much in response to the low reading. Next time, eat or drink half the amount you would normally ingest, then check your levels after 30 minutes.
The quick-working insulin is best taken no more than a quarter hour before eating, unless your doctor says something different. These types of insulin will help to maintain blood sugar, as long as they are used properly and as directed by a physician.
Frequently remind yourself why it is so important that you keep your diabetes under control. Analyze what is keeping you from doing what you love and find a new solution. Concentrate on the meaningful things in your life, and let them inspire and encourage you to remain proactive in the management of your disease.
If you suffer from diabetes, it is wise to undergo a test for sleep apnea as soon as you can. Sleep apnea can affect your health and your quality of life, but you can minimize the effects by getting treatment early.
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 bring about a sweeter flavor without adding sugar, which can raise the level of glucose in the blood. Some researchers believe cinnamon can lower blood glucose levels.
One of the myths associated with diabetes is that you must avoid sugar at all costs. You are not required to ban sugar, but you must be intelligent about sweets. Save your favorite dessert for a special occasion and limit yourself to a small serving. You can also limit other carbohydrate-heavy foods in your meal to accommodate the increase that you get from eating these sweets.
Urine ketone tests are not the only ones you should use to detect your blood sugar levels. Higher ketone levels in your urine only indicate that your ketones are higher than 200mg/dl. Readings should be recorded to find patterns and to give your physician an accurate report.
Make sure to read the nutrition labels as many common foods contain this. If it has corn syrup, back to the shelf it goes. If you buy food products in Canada, you will want to watch out for any food that is labeled with “glucose/fructose”.
Egg Whites
Egg whites are one of the best foods you can eat for breakfast. Egg whites have hardly any fat or calories, they also have great protein levels that you need to get your day going! Use egg whites just as you would a whole egg. Whether scrambled or made into a mushroom and ham omelet, they will give you a good start to your day.
Diabetics often have other undetected health issues, and one more serious issue is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea means that you stop breathing for brief periods of time while sleeping. If at times you start to feel tired in your normal day then get yourself checked for sleep apnea.
Lots of methods of dropping weight and battling diabetes exist, ranging from workouts at a park to jogging. You can use the jungle gym to do chin ups, or use canned goods and bags of heavy things for weight lifting.
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.