The vast majority of those who contract diabetes are going to have the disease for life. With any luck, you will be able to properly manage it and stop it from becoming worse, but that’s going to take a lot of effort and the right knowledge. Here are some tips you can use to gain the knowledge necessary to manage diabetes.
If you need to sweeten your tea or coffee, but you have Diabetes, try using more natural sweeteners like honey or a sweetener and sugar substitute. These sweetener and sugar substitute can be found at many grocery stores today and is a plant extract, which is very sweet. It can even be found in a powdered form which mimics real sugar.
Diabetic children will find temptation around every corner, so it is up to you as their parent to give them something else to focus on. For example, the kids at school would offer my daughter candy, so we paid her for the candies she brought home. She could then use the money to buy a toy or clothing that she wanted.
Unless you drive a car that lacks air conditioning in super hot summer temperatures, or are on a safari in Africa, you probably don’t need ice packs for your insulin. If you’re worried about leaving it in the car at the mall, take it with you! I doubt you’ll have so much that it won’t fit in your purse, pocket, or bag.
Don’t worry about having a “Diabetes Bag” that you carry around with you, just keep syringes in your purse, jacket pockets, car, and desk at work. Keep your meter and insulin with you in a small bag or your purse and you’ll be ready for injections no matter where you end up.
Reduce or stop drinking caffeinated beverages to help lower your blood sugar naturally. Drinking caffeine, such as coffee or tea, releases the hormone adrenaline that is known to raise blood glucose levels. Limit the amount of caffeine drinks to fewer than four cups a day to lower your blood sugar.
If you snore you are twice as likely to develop Diabetes than someone who doesn’t. This might be because most people who snore are overweight, and it’s the extra weight that can lead to Diabetes. Deal with the weight and you’ll conquer both the snoring and the Diabetes!
Treat yourself to a leg and foot massage once in a while to keep your circulation pumping. Diabetes causes peripheral neuropathy, which can be painful and not reversible. Have your spouse put some lotion on your calves and give you a soothing rub to relieve your stress and help your feet stay healthy.
Eat foods rich in fiber. By eating fruits, vegetables, and grains you will improve your diet. You will lose weight and feel great. Fiber can help give you more control over your blood sugar and lower your chances of getting heart disease. Other sources of fiber include nuts, seeds, and beans.
Try to avoid alcohol when you are diabetic. Even small amounts of alcohol, especially beer, can dangerously raise your blood sugar. Many doctors are in agreement that having a glass of wine once in awhile is okay for diabetics, just do not have more than one glass and do not drink it everyday.
Try buying food at local farmer’s markets or at the farm itself to get discounts on healthy foods. A diet for Diabetes doesn’t have to be expensive, you just have to look for deals and sometimes shop in different locations. Eating farm fresh eggs for the first time will make you a believer!
Find out if there are any public gardening areas near you where people grow their own produce. This is an excellent way for a Diabetic to get some exercise by doing weeding, watering, or planting new seedlings. Often you get to keep some of what you grow as well, giving you some wonderfully fresh and organic treats to enjoy when you get home!
To make sure the carbohydrates you consume don’t cause an issue for your body, eat them alongside protein. Protein will make sure your body absorbs the carbohydrates you eat slowly, which will help prevent dramatic changes to your blood sugar levels. Protein rarely increases blood glucose levels, and it’s a great way to balance carbohydrates out.
To help you control your diabetes, write down the results every time you check your blood sugar. This will help you notice any patterns that may emerge. If your blood sugar seems to be low every day at 2:00pm, you can be better prepared at that time to deal with it better.
To decrease the effect sugars and carbohydrates have on your body, consume plenty of fiber. Fiber works as a sort of natural buffer that will help keep your blood sugar down even when you’ve eaten things that normally make it spike. If you’ve eaten something you shouldn’t, a quick fiber rich snack can help counteract its effects.
If you have type 2 diabetes, and the medication you are taking is not helping as well as you had hoped, don’t stress too much. Many diabetics need insulin, and they now make insulin pens that will control your blood sugar better than the syringes do. Make sure they are covered by your insurance company before getting one, because it does seem to be something insurance companies will not always approve.
Checking your blood glucose levels may seen like an intrusion into your daily routine, but it is a practice that can essentially save your life. Find ways to make routine checks more convenient, such as keeping multiple monitors at home and even in your desk at work. Remember, however, that your strips and monitor are sensitive to light and temperature, so they should not be kept in your vehicle.
