There are times when managing your diabetes can take up so much time, that you do not have any energy to learn how to live without your disease taking over. Finding fresh ideas to help you cope can be a simple and fast task with the tips in the article below.
Instead of cutting all sugar out of your diet, learn to control yourself and moderate your intake of sweets so that you can keep your diabetes under control while still enjoying life. Although, banning sweets altogether may not be necessary. If your blood sugar level is normal, it is okay if you partake in desert every now and again. Plan for desserts by removing an equal number of carbs from the main part of your meal.
Sleep Apnea
Get tested for sleep apnea if you suffer from diabetes. If sleep apnea is a problem for you, then get treatment now, before it has a chance to impact your health.
Ketchup, pop, and other sweets contain this item. That is why it is necessary to read the food labels, and return it to the shelf when you know that it contains corn syrup. Also, be aware that outside of the United States corn syrup may be listed as something else, such as glucose or fructose if you are in Canada.
If you tend to get hypoglycemic reactions, make sure you carry sugary snacks with you. A hypoglycemic attack can happen at any time, so it is important that you are always prepared. If you have skipped breakfast, this is definitely true because your blood sugar will already be low.
Find out which foods have a rather high glycemic index so you can avoid them. High glycemic foods are those such as cereal, pasta, juice, bread and desserts. Processed foods are also terrible for your blood sugar. So look into eating vegetables, fresh fruit, meat and fish instead.
Talk to a physician immediately if you have any vision problems. There are many eye-related conditions associated with diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Serious eye disorders that can lead to blindness are directly related to diabetes.
If you’re a diabetic who enjoys snacking, it may be difficult to resist vending machine goodies. But, it is quite important that unhealthy snacks are passed over for fruit or vegetables.
Diabetics need to be especially careful of the foods they eat. Every type of food can have a different effect on glucose levels, so it is crucial that you monitor your food intake closely. Larger meals will require larger insulin injections, while smaller meals require less. If you are proactive with your meals, you will be able to appropriately manage your blood glucose levels.
Unless you’re told otherwise by your doctor, take the fast-acting insulin one to 15 minutes prior to eating. 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.
Don’t completely eliminate your favorite foods, but rather try to make small changes to make them fit better into your diet. Diets that are too restrictive can lead to great difficulty and failure. Many people mistakenly think they have to stop eating many of their most loved foods. Some people will eat whatever they want. The better solution is to look closely at the foods you eat and make smart substitutions. Many dishes can turn into diabetes-friendly meals by using healthier ingredients as alternatives when cooking.
Even when diabetes makes you feel ill, or steals your appetite, you must take care to nourish yourself regularly, and keep track of your glucose levels. Because a low glucose level can also cause dehydration, you should drink water frequently.
When someone suffers from diabetes, smoking is a very dangerous habit to have. Smoking can cause negative effects to your health. When you smoke, you will become insulin resistant, and if you do not have diabetes yet, you are raising your chances to develop type 2 diabetes.
Don’t rely on urine testing as your sole blood sugar test. The only time you will have high ketone levels is when your blood glucose levels are greater than 200 mg/dl. Rather, the ADA recommends that people with diabetes use finger sticks or test strips to get the accurate readings they need.
Insulated Bag
Take a small insulated bag with your insulin and supplies, if you plan on traveling. Extremes of temperature, either too warm or too cold, can ruin insulin. Using an insulated bag will keep insulin at the proper temperature in any weather.
People who have diabetes should include healthy, complex carbohydrates in their diet. Removing all carbs from a diabetic’s diet is not healthy, as it cuts out many sources of essential vitamins, fibers, and minerals from their diet. When you have enough carbs, you also get the energy you need.
Regular exercise lowers your overall blood sugar, while increasing your body’s sensitivity to insulin. This helps your body keep blood sugar down to a healthy level throughout the day. For maximum results, ensure that your workout routine contains both resistance training and aerobic exercise.
As you have seen, the tips you have read here are a great starting point to get your diabetes under control, and allow you to have the freedom in your life that you crave. Use whichever tips you can that apply to you, and start improving your health today.