Having diabetes can be stressful, unpleasant and affect the quality of your life and relationships, but it doesn’t have to take all the pleasure out of things. Here are some helpful ideas that you can use to improve your life and make sure you control your diabetes, rather than letting your diabetes control you.
Diabetics have to watch their carbohydrate intake, and bread is a major player in a typical American’s diet. Try to find a bread with at least 5 grams of fiber AND protein per slice so that eating it is validated by the nutrients it’s carrying. Also avoid preservatives as they’re not healthy either.
Did you know that it is recommended that diabetics have a diet high in dairy? Studies show that dairy can help keep blood sugar levels from spiking, so having as much low-fat dairy as possible, can be a huge help to a diabetic. Have a tall glass of skim milk at breakfast and some cheese at lunch. It’s healthy and tasty!
When looking for a substitute for something sweet, make it yourself! For example, if you don’t want to eat sugary store bought relish since it will spike your blood sugar and set your diabetes off, then make your own by chopping up dill pickles. Need a replacement for ketchup? Try mixing pureed tomatoes and honey.
Pay attention to the feeling in your feet and hands by testing them once in a while. Go barefoot on the floor and see if you can feel the grout between the tiles. When you’re in the shower, drop something and step on it so you can see how well you feel it. Do the same when holding a pencil or pen. If you feel any loss of sensation, go to your doctor and let them know!
Diabetics should beware of caffeine as it can lead to potentially life-threatening blood pressure. Diabetes already has harmful effects on your organs, high blood pressure included, so you don’t want to tax your body any more than it already is. Caffeine can lead in a massive spike in blood pressure after ingesting it, so just stay away from it completely.
Make sure to take your diabetes medications exactly as directed. You are NOT a doctor, nor is anyone else giving you advice other than your physician. They tell you how often to take your prescriptions and how much you should take at a time because they know, so follow their directions.
To help yourself deal with a diabetes diagnosis, arrange to meet with a diabetes expert or take a class. Diabetes may seem as though it’s overwhelming to live with, but a good instructor can help simplify the disease and give you ways to cope. Getting good advice from a knowledgeable source is invaluable to any diabetes sufferer.
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.
If you are a diabetic, it is crucial that you have your blood pressure checked regularly. Diabetes can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, which can lead to serious health problems, like strokes. Try to buy a home blood pressure machine or go to a pharmacy to check it yourself.
Gestational diabetes is NOT YOUR FAULT! Pregnancy often causes gestational diabetes, and there is really not much you can do to prevent it if you are susceptible to it. Don’t become too stressed, and think positively of your young one and yourself.
If you are a diabetic and find that your foods are too bland, you may want to add some cinnamon. It does not contain any sugar, calories, or sodium, so it is healthy for diabetes. Also, some studies suggest that it may even help to lower blood sugar in some people.
To keep from developing diabetes related circulation problems, regularly tap your feet! Foot exercises will keep your blood moving even when you’re stuck in a chair. Simply alternate lifting your heels or toes in the air while the other half of your foot remains on the floor. After time, this will become a habit, and keeping your circulation strong will be like second nature to you.
Check your blood sugar levels regularly. It is possible to have dangerously high or low blood sugar without showing any symptoms. Having a persistently high blood sugar count can cause you to have an increased risk of developing kidney failure, circulation problems, heart disease stroke, and even blindness. Make sure you keep a record of your numbers as well, to watch for trends and sugar spikes.
Diabetes is never going to be a party, but with the above tips and some effort, you can make sure that it doesn’t keep you from enjoying every aspect of your life. Yes, living with diabetes can be inconvenient at best, but you can and will, find ways to overcome that.
