If you are diabetic, do you know exactly what you should be eating, how much exercise you need and how much sleep you should be getting? Read this article to find out how you can adapt your daily life to stay in control of your condition.
Diabetics need to eat small meals throughout the day to keep their blood sugar from spiking, so try to plan out at least five eating times if you can. Start with a large breakfast (but make sure it doesn’t have too many carbs or a lot of sugar), then have a snack before and after lunch. Eating some nuts or seeds before bed keep your metabolism going overnight.
Do not eat snacks out of a bag. By eating snacks directly from its container, you are more likely to overeat and create a spike in your blood sugar levels. Get a plate and put a small portion on the plate. Eat it slowly, savor the flavor, and don’t get more after you have finished.
To keep your blood sugar levels from spiking, research high glycemic index foods. If you’re not knowledgeable about what ingredients you should avoid, you may consume something harmful without realizing it. If you need to eat something quickly and don’t have time to look it up, stick to non-processed foods.
If you live close to the Canadian border and drive, consider going to Canada to pick up your Diabetes prescriptions. The Canadian government regulates the sale of prescriptions so that they can’t have huge fees added to their cost. Often you can get the exact same medications for a huge discount, and they’re safe to take as they’re under the same or even stricter health regulations.
When eating healthy for a Diabetic diet, compare the items various stores sell and see who has the best prices on specific items. I like to keep a spreadsheet on my phone which shows each item I buy regularly, and which store I can get it at the best price so I can stock up when I go to that store.
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.
Most people know that reducing their fat intake is a major step in a heart-healthy diet. For diabetics, this is even more important because the heart relies on controlled and well-maintained blood sugars. Target reduced or eliminated saturated fats, which are often from animal sources and include lard, bacon, and butter, as well as plant fats, like vegetable shortening.
If you have diabetes, it is important that you include a certain amount of carbs in your diet. Diets that do not have carbohydrates or small amounts of it can cause a diabetic not to get the vitmains and nutrients that they need in order to control their diabetic symptoms.
Most diabetics need to take fast acting insulin a few minutes before eating. Check with your doctor to make sure this applies to you. Fast-acting insulin is very effective at keeping blood sugar steady, only if used correctly though.
If you have diabetes, you should try to cut out alcohol or talk to your doctor if you can not. Alcohol can cause low blood sugar, which is called hypoglycemia. The effects can be very hard to predict with different people. Doctors will allow some people to have a drink or two with proper management, but it is best to avoid alcohol altogether.
Make wise decisions in your choices for treating to low glucose levels. If your levels are less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, the ADA advises you to consume a food or drink with about 15 grams of sugars. Opt for something that can easily and quickly be absorbed by your body, such as hard candy or jellybeans.
To stay prepared for drops in your blood sugar levels, pack glucose boosting snacks in zip-lock bags. Carrying around some low fat trail mix or cashews will ensure you’re never stuck without a healthy snack to give you a boost. If you don’t carry a purse, small snacks can easily be stored in a pocket.
When people have diabetes they are also more likely to acquire other health problems as well, and they might not even notice them; one serious one to note is sleep apnea. This means that you stop breathing as you are sleeping. If you notice that you are extra sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about running some tests to see if you have sleep apnea.
As you can see, there is a lot to know about managing diabetes. This disease will be like a dark cloud hanging over your head until you are taking the right steps to manage it. Use your knowledge efficiently and adopt better habits.
