A lot of people are saying that dealing with diabetes can be a difficult and stressful thing to do. In this concise article you can learn tips on how to manage your diabetes. The thing about diabetes is the more ways you know how to manage it, the easier it becomes to control.
Lentils are an amazing food. They are full of quality protein and nutrients. They are ideal for people with diabetes (or indeed anyone) trying to lose weight. You can do a million things with them! You can cook them and then make them into patties and eat them as hamburgers! You can sprout them in a jar and then sprinkle them in a salad! They can be found in most stores and they’re not expensive – so add them to your shopping list!
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.
Diabetics can have problems in their eyes due to their condition, so make sure you go to the optometrist for testing at least once a year. Many optometrists have special machines, which can look inside your eyeball to check for the typical damage of a diabetic, and can sometimes diagnose your disease before you even have symptoms!
Diabetics should be very cautious when going for a pedicure. Even a small cut can result in an infection for a diabetic.
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.
Get familiar with the glycemic index rating of foods to help gain better control of your diabetes. It is important to learn to recognize high glycemic foods like breads, fruit juices, cereals, pasta and rice. Eating more vegetables, lean proteins and other low glycemic index foods keeps your blood sugar from spiking after meals.
Diabetics can help to avoid drastic changes in post-workout glucose levels by taking added steps to monitor their levels, as often as 45 minutes following a particularly rigorous exercise routine. Because glucose levels can continue to drop for an entire day after workouts, this will keep you from being caught unaware.
The chips and candy in a vending machine may seem to promise quick energy, but a diabetic should avoid these snacks. Keep these snacks out of your kitchen cupboard also. You need to avoid these and eat complex carbs like fruits and veggies.
Live a fun life. Don’t let diabetes get you down. You may have to watch your blood glucose levels, but you can still lead a full, enjoyable life. Have hobbies, to out with friends and even eat at a restaurant. Diabetes is a condition you have, but it isn’t you.
Before you test your blood glucose levels, you should make sure your hands and especially your fingertips, are clean. When you clean your fingers, do not use alcohol. Alcohol is drying and can cause your fingertips to crack. When cleaning your hands, use a mild antibacterial soap such as Dial.
To reduce the sugar in your diet, try using light or low-fat products when you cook. These products aren’t just lower in fat- they also contain less sugar and sodium. This is a great way to continue to use things like peanut butter, sour cream, and cheese in your cooking.
To save you and your doctor time, write down all of your questions about your diabetes. This way you will be prepared ahead of time and will not forget to ask anything that is important. You are dealing with your health, so don’t be afraid to ask any question that you have.
To keep your blood sugar levels from getting too low, never go more than 5 waking hours without a meal or a snack. If you don’t plan on waking up in the night to have a snack and check your insulin levels, you should also eat something right before bed. This will make sure that your body never goes too long without what it needs.
With all the information in this article about how to manage your diabetes, you are likely already thinking about ways you’re going to change your lifestyle towards managing your diabetes. The more you apply what you know, the more natural it becomes to do it without thinking about it. When you do that, living with diabetes should feel a lot less stressful and much more manageable.
