Testing your blood sugar every day is not the only thing that people with diabetes are scared of. What brings out fear is the danger of complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, a disease caused by diabetes that can result in blindness. Avoid allowing your diabetes to get to that point. The following hints and tips can help you manage and treat this serious condition.
It can be a little baffling when you are trying to manage your diabetes, and keep all your records on track. If you put all of your readings as well as treatments in a journal, you can take that to your doctor, and it will be very beneficial. He will then understand what treatment you need and what progress you have made.
Frequently remind yourself why it is so important that you keep your diabetes under control. Keep your thoughts on things that you like to do in life, the obstacles that keep you from doing them, and how you can overcome that. Focus on what matters to you and find new sources of motivation.
One way to keep diabetes from interfering in your day-to-day life is to get plenty of exercise. This will both serve to lose weight and lower your blood glucose because your insulin sensitivity has been increased. A person with diabetes must remain active and avoid leading a sedentary life.
If you skip meals, the glucose in your blood will go up because your liver starts creating glucose for your body because you aren’t nourishing yourself adequately. To prevent this from occurring, eat meals at regular intervals and eat low-GI snacks when appropriate.
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. When you have the proper amount of carbohydrates in your diet, it ensures you body has the energy it needs.
Cinnamon is an excellent spice that can be added to foods if you are a diabetic, since it has no sugar, sodium or calories. The natural sweetness inherent in certain foods is accentuated by cinnamon without the need for adding sugar that can increase levels of blood glucose. The studies are mixed in regards to whether cinnamon may lower your blood sugar levels, but it is a great spice to consume.
Your risk is increased even by the smallest of elevations. Sadly, only few people can get to these normal AIC levels. You should shoot for a maximum of 7 percent A1C. This translates into about 150mg/dl average glucose.
Diabetes has increasingly become more prevalent in our society. Doing this will keep you from feeling upset about the news.
Keep your diabetic supplies together in one place for easy access, and if you can, have a second, portable bag that can be carried with you at all times. Make sure your insulin, syringes and meter hooks are together so you’ll always be prepared.
Insulated Bag
If you have diabetes and you plan on traveling, you should remember to take along your insulin in an insulated bag. Insulin should be protected from extreme temperatures. An insulated bag is your best bet for keeping it at the right temperature.
Watching what you eat is of critical importance when you have diabetes. Different foods affect glucose levels differently, and you will need to carefully scrutinize your food choices. Bigger meals will need higher injections of insulin, and small meals might require less. It is possible to actively manage glucose levels if you are careful about what you eat.
Egg Whites
Egg whites make a great breakfast if you have diabetes. Egg whites contain lots of protein, and are very low in both fat and calories. Make an omelette of egg whites, or scrambling the whites and eating them with some ham.
As the introduction of this article mentioned, it’s the potential to go blind and other debilitating side effects associated with diabetes that really scare people. You can work past the fear and use the information you’ve learned here to ensure that you’re never a victim of these nasty complications.