Diabetes is devastating and very serious. Individuals diagnosed with diabetes must learn how to care for themselves and preserve their health in order to live a long, happy life. This article is packed with a variety of tips for living with diabetes.
It is tough to be told that your child has diabetes, but there is so much you can do to make it easier for them. Diabetes treatments have advanced to the point where it no longer shortens a person’s life span. As a case in point, the oldest living diabetic is now 90, and he lived with diabetes without the benefit of modern treatments.
Consuming a diet high in fiber can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Whole grains are low-GI foods, which reduces your risk of diabetes, while white foods are generally high-GI, which increases your risk. There have been studies done that have shown that when people eat more whole grains, they have less of a risk of developing diabetes.
You can save a ton of money on prescriptions if you switch to an online pharmacy. Many of these pharmacies allow you to have shipments sent automatically each month, so you won’t run out of supplies.
If you’re a diabetic who enjoys snacking, it may be difficult to resist vending machine goodies. You need to exercise willpower and ditch that processed snack, and choose a complex carbohydrate such as vegetables or fruit instead.
If you are afflicted with diabetes, six smaller meals can be better than three traditional ones each day. Eating frequent small meals improves your chance of keeping glucose levels stable. Eating more frequently also helps to decrease the risk of binging, as you will feel more satisfied.
Do not blame yourself if you develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs to some people and there is rarely something anyone can do about it. Keep your stress level low, and think positively about your baby and yourself.
Don’t worry if your blood glucose levels spike right after treating a hypoglycemic episode. You could be experiencing a release of hormones triggered by your body in response to lower glucose. In addition, it’s possible that you are over-treating the low glucose by too much food or liquids. Try drinking or eating half your previous dose, then checking your blood sugar level 30 minutes later to see if the spike is smaller.
This means there is an increased chance of your child developing diabetes, either when born or as he or she ages. Don’t give your child this terrible disease. Properly care for yourself today.
Diabetics who smoke need to try and quit. Smoking is bad for your health generally, but it is especially dangerous for those with diabetes because it can spike your glucose levels dangerously high. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
Instead of getting rid of them, change up the way you eat your favorite foods. Diets that are too restrictive can lead to great difficulty and failure. It is a myth that all the foods you love are off the table now. Other people keep eating their favorites regardless of what their diet should be. The intelligent solution is to make reasonable substitutions to your favorite dishes. Most recipes can be made to fit into a diabetic diet by simply substituting the problem ingredients with healthy alternatives.
While gestational diabetes normally ceases to be a problem after giving birth, you should still get your blood sugar levels checked regularly. People believe that after you give birth, your issues with blood sugar levels magically disappear, but sadly that is not true.
Eat egg whites for breakfast if you have diabetes! Egg whites are a low-calorie, low-fat food that will give you the protein you need to get going each morning. You can make an omelet with egg whites, or have some scrambled eggs with a piece of ham.
Be sure to pack an insulated bag that can hold your insulin if you are a diabetic and you are going to be traveling. This is important because your insulin must maintain a certain temperature. With an insulated bag, you ensure your insulin does not heat up or cool down too much.
People with diabetes often have other health issues that go unnoticed; one the more serious issues is sleep apnea. This is a condition where you quit breathing while you sleep. If at times you start to feel tired in your normal day then get yourself checked for sleep apnea.
Good carbohydrates are a great choice for a diabetic’s diet. Diabetics will want to avoid diets that are extremely low in carbohydrates; these strenuous diets can deprive your body of fiber and nutrients. Give yourself the stamina to keep going by ensuring you have a sufficient amount of carbohydrates in your diet.
By now, you must understand the seriousness of diabetes and how crucial it is to receive proper care and medication. Education is one the most important cures for any ailment and diabetes is no different. Any diabetics whom happens to read through the above tips will have taken another small step towards a healthier, normal life; but only if they choose to implement them and continue learning.