Diabetes can be a terrifying condition; however, with the right information, you can control your health and have a full life. Read this article to find out how you can live with diabetes and stay healthy.
Pedicures can be problematic when you have problems with diabetes. You are more prone to getting a foot infection if you’re diabetic, so you need to try and be careful when you get a pedicure, especially if you get a puncture or cut.
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.
Many items on store shelves have this ingredient, so make sure you’re choosing products without it before you put them in your cart. Most soda drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, but so does ketchup, so check the labels. If you are Canadian, this ingredient is known as “glucose/fructose.”
Getting Diabetes
Lower the risk of getting diabetes by eating a diet high in fiber. Whole grains are low-GI foods, which reduces your risk of diabetes, while white foods are generally high-GI, which increases your risk. There have been quite a few studies that prove the point that those who choose whole grain will have a lesser risk of getting diabetes as opposed to those who do not.
Add some almonds to your diet to keep your cravings low and not have an effect on your blood sugar level. Natural, unsalted almonds are healthy for you, as they are full of protein, fiber and healthy nutrients. Fill a bowl with almonds for snacks you can grab whenever you feel hungry.
Battling diabetes does not always have to involve expensive methods; try brisk walks in the park, jogging or reasonable fitness regimes. Can goods can make inexpensive weights, as do bags filled with heavy items and chin-ups can be performed on your local park’s jungle gym.
Diabetics should monitor their eating habits carefully. Different foods will affect your blood glucose levels in different ways, so you will want to carefully monitor your food choices. Adapt your insulin injections to what you eat. If you monitor your meals and are careful with your diet, you can manage your blood glucose levels well.
When you have diabetes, it is a great idea to eat five to six small meals, instead of three bigger meals a day. By eating regularly during the day, you will be able to stabilize your blood sugar. More frequent meals also decreases your chances of overcompensating with binging later on.
If you are a diabetic, you need to learn how to indulge on food in a healthy way. Eliminating all sweets from your diet may not be necessary, however. If you maintain the proper blood sugar levels, every so often it is alright to indulge in sweets. Make sure you eat less carbohydrates than you usually would to make room for your dessert.
Gestational diabetes isn’t something that you cause yourself. Sometimes it happens and a lot of the time you cannot stop it from happening. Keep your stress levels down, and think positive thoughts about yourself and your child.
After treating lower levels of glucose, you should not be surprised to see your blood sugar actually spike. This means could mean that you are eating and drinking more than you should to fix your low level or that your body is releasing hormones to make up for the low level. Try lowering the amount of food or drink by half and give your levels a check at 30 minutes.
Smoking cigarettes is especially dangerous for diabetics. Chemicals present in cigarettes can raise the level of sugar in your blood significantly if you are diabetic. If you want to quit but are encountering difficulty, consider asking your healthcare practitioner for advice.
Add walnuts to your salad. The monounsaturated fats in walnuts help to keep your diabetes under control by increasing your cells’ receptiveness to insulin. In addition, they contain antioxidants, minerals, omega-3s and vitamins. They also boost your energy and taste delicious!
Blood Sugar
While gestational diabetes normally ceases to be a problem after giving birth, you should still get your blood sugar levels checked regularly. It is often assumed to be impossible to continue to have problems with blood sugar regulation after birth, but unfortunately this is not the case.
Take the time to exercise. Exercise helps your body handle glucose and insulin more efficiently. Exercise is particularly important for diabetics because even a modest amount of weight loss can improve symptoms.
If you’re not sure how you can afford your diabetes medications, try looking at online pharmacies. They even provide monthly deliveries which will ensure that you never have to remember to order a refill again!
Urine ketone testing should not be your only way to test your sugar levels. The only time you will have high ketone levels is when your blood glucose levels are greater than 200 mg/dl. Organizations like the ADA recommend that those with diabetes use more reliable testing methods, like strips or finger pokes.
An insulated bag for insulin storage is one essential piece of equipment for the traveling diabetic. You want to make sure that your insulin stays at the correct medium temperature. Using an insulated bad will protect you insulin from extreme hot or cold temperatures.
Sleep Apnea
Know which foods have high GI values and can spike your blood sugar when ingested. This includes fruit juices and foods like bread, cereal and pasta. Foods that are processed and have a lot of chemicals and preservatives in them can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Instead, include meat, fish, veggies and low-glycemic fruits in your diet.
Diabetes makes it much easier to acquire other health issues. A common condition you need to watch out for is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea actually causes your breath to stop while sleeping. If you feel sleepy during the day, as if you didn’t sleep at all during the night, see your doctor about sleep apnea.
Diabetics can be more prone to problems with their feet. Caring for your feet and being alert to any changes in their feeling and function is very important in avoiding serious consequences, the most severe being amputation. Following this advice can help ensure you keep your feet healthy even if you have diabetes.
Whether you’re currently suffering from diabetes or are worried about developing it, it’s a good idea to get some exercise. Exercise is a good way to lose weight and to help your body process insulin more efficiently. So, because your blood sugar responds better with increased activity, if you are diabetic you cannot get by with being sedentary.
If you think you might have gestational diabetes, let your doctor know. If gestational diabetes goes unchecked, you are risking the safety of yourself and the unborn child. Your doctor can give you medication that will be okay to take while pregnant and can also offer up sound advice as to what your diet should look like.
You will find that the more you know about diabetes, the less scary it is. Follow the advice in this article, and tune in to the fact that knowledge is power.