Diabetes can be a terrifying condition; however, with the right information, you can control your health and have a full life. In this article, there are suggestions and advice that will provide guidance for you to make informed choices about your care and enjoying a more healthy life.
Fish is an excellent choice of protein for a Diabetic who is looking to lose weight. It’s full of Omega fatty acids which are great for your body, and the calcium in the bones (if you include them) can meet the daily recommended doses.
If you’re going to go a non-traditional route for your diabetes treatment, continue to be under the supervision of a doctor. Make sure to visit him at least every 3 months, so he can check your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. He should also test your organ functions, at the intervals he sets for you.
To save money, the American Diabetes Association approves the re-use of testing lancets. These are the needles used by your glucometer to test your blood sugar. Re-using them does result in them becoming dull, so be sure to change them out when you notice the pain level of your testing rising. Never share lancets.
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.
If hypoglycemia is an issue, make sure you carry some sort of sugar food with you always, such as gum. You should always be prepared because there is no way to know when you are going to suffer from hypoglycemia. This is even more likely if you skip breakfast and need sugar in your system.
To avoid developing a life-threatening infection, avoid going barefoot outdoors. People with diabetes are much more susceptible to developing infections from minor injuries and simply cutting your foot on a piece of glass could become a major ordeal. Instead, try wearing lightweight, waterproof shoes when you’re going outside in warm weather.
To keep your diabetes from hurting your teeth, be sure to brush and floss several times a day. Diabetes increases the levels of glucose in your saliva, which means your teeth are much more susceptible to decay. Anyone suffering from diabetes needs to be extra vigilante when it comes to taking care of their teeth.
If you have a family history of heart disease, strokes or hardened arteries, you should be especially vigilant in controlling your blood glucose levels. Well-maintained levels can delay the onset of these and other medical conditions, and can also decrease your odds of developing these diseases as you get older.
If you want to choose a treat that might be high in sugar, go for an item that is also high in protein. For example, ice cream has a lot of protein to help you break down the sugar in it. Another option is cheesecake with a high fiber crust. Yogurt with berries can also be a great treat, especially if you use non-fat unsweetened yogurt like kefir.
If you suffer from diabetes and you are on Metformin, beware of lactic acidosis. This is a rare, but deadly condition that occurs when lactic acid develops in the bloodstream faster than in can be removed. This is more common in older people who take Metofrmin and symptoms include extreme weakness and severe nausea.
A good tip for people suffering from diabetes is to carry around diabetes bars to use as meal replacements when they can’t find the time to eat a proper meal. There are bars and shakes made specifically to address the needs of people with diabetes so it is an easy way to get your nutrients without any hassle or measuring.
Do not skip any meals if you are a diabetic. Doing that will cause you to be more hungry when it is time to eat and you will probably eat much more than you would have otherwise. This will lead to higher than usual blood sugar levels so it should be avoided.
When it comes to dealing with diabetes, be sure that you keep a journal with your blood sugar levels on a regular basis. This is important to stay on top of in order to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other potentially fatal side effects. Keeping a journal will help to identify why you might have low or high levels at a certain time.
As mentioned, diabetes is frightening only when you have no information to help you cope with it. If you apply the tips from this article to your life, you will see that knowledge is a great tool that you can use to improve your health.
