Information is a very powerful tool for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Read the information that follows and you will be on your way to increasing your education about diabetes and its treatment. Lifestyle decisions that are made now can have a tremendous impact on how the diabetes effects the health.
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. Keep some near the computer so you can munch on them while you work.
If you are suffering from diabetes you should test yourself for sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is a problem for you, then seek treatment as soon as you can to maintain a healthy and active life.
You will see diabetics every day and not know it. Your daily life will be less stressful if you disregard the tendency to feel ashamed of your condition.
If you are a diabetic, you need to discover ways to pacify your sweet tooth safely. You may not need to give up sweets completely. Give yourself permission to enjoy an occasional dessert if your diabetes is properly managed and under control. If you eliminate some carbohydrates from your meals, you will have more room to eat dessert.
Sleep Apnea
Consuming a diet high in fiber can reduce the 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 shows that a diet high in whole grains can decrease the chances that a person will be afflicted with the disease.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is crucial that you get tested for sleep apnea as soon as you can. If you have sleep apnea, get it treated as soon as possible to keep yourself healthy.
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. In foreign countries such as Canada, this can be known as a combination of glucose and fructose.
Consuming a diet high in fiber can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. To reduce your risks of diabetes, eat plenty of whole grains, and avoid foods with a high glycemic index, such as processed white bread. Evidence suggests that it is possible to reduce your risk for diabetes by eating a diet that contains whole grains.
You can find a lot of savings on diabetes medication by shopping online versus using the local pharmacy. It is often possible to set up recurring deliveries to prevent running out of your supplies.
You should always have a pack of gum or some other sugary substitute with you if you are afflicted by hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia attacks can happen at any time, so you need to be prepared for that. It is particularly important to have some form of sugar with you if you tend to skip breakfast, because your body will have increased cravings.
Glycemic Index
Know which foods are low on the glycemic index and will help your body release glucose slowly. Breads, desserts, pastas, cereal, and even juices are products that are high in the glycemic index. Processed foods also have a very bad effect on your blood sugar. So look into eating vegetables, fresh fruit, meat and fish instead.
Lots of methods of dropping weight and battling diabetes exist, ranging from workouts at a park to jogging. You can use cans or milk jugs as free weights and can turn the jungle gym at the local playground into a chin-up bar.
Go to your doctor immediately if you notice anything wrong with your vision. Glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye conditions, such as retinopathy, can be caused by diabetes. This can eventually lead to blindness if you do not take care of these issues.
You should watch what you are eating if you have diabetes. Different foods will all have different effects on your blood sugar, so take care when choosing your meals and snacks. Large meals need larger insulin injections, and smaller meals need smaller injections. If you are careful about what foods you do and do not eat, you will be able to better manage your glucose.
If you have diabetes, you may want to put down that pack of cigarettes. Smoking is especially harmful for a diabetic because it has the ability to raise blood sugar to a dangerous level. If you are finding it difficult to quit smoking, your doctor may be able to offer some help.
Go to your doctor immediately if you notice anything wrong with your vision. 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.
Take fast-acting insulin no longer than 15 minutes before you eat a meal, unless directed otherwise by a doctor. Fast-acting insulins work very well to maintain blood sugars, but they must be properly dosed for the individual.
Cinnamon is a wonderful spice that any diabetic can use. In addition to its own unique flavor, cinnamon can enhance the natural sweetness present in some foods, without the addition of blood glucose raising sugar. Although studies on cinnamon lowering your glucose levels are mixed, but regardless, it’s still a good spice to include in your meals.
Diabetes does not mean you have to avoid sugar. Although you don’t need to avoid all sugar, you can’t eat candy and cookies all the time if you’re diabetic. Portion control is key along with keeping the frequency of these treats low. Sweets tend to be high in simple carbohydrates, so offset an indulgence with reduced carbs in your other meals for the day.
If you have diabetes and like to snack, resisting the “quick fix” snacks in vending machines is really hard. You need to exercise willpower and ditch that processed snack, and choose a complex carbohydrate such as vegetables or fruit instead.
Information will always give you the best chance of winning any battle, and that’s especially true when dealing with something as dangerous and as unpredictable as diabetes. What you’ve just read here, are a collection of tips that you can use to empower you, when working hard to conquer the disease. Don’t waste time; get started today.