Believe it or not, diabetes is one of the most common diseases out there. It can strike at any time and it doesn’t rightly matter if you’re living a preventative lifestyle. You can still contract the disease. If you have diabetes, it’s high time you started learning about how to tame the disease. Use these tips to help you out.
Diabetics are recommended to increase their intake of cinnamon as it’s been shown in scientific studies to keep blood sugar from spiking during a meal. I love to add it to oatmeal or cereal, and I also bake banana muffins with at least one tablespoon of sugar each so I know I’ll get my recommended daily dose.
Checking out international foods is an excellent way of finding new recipes that you’ll actually enjoy eating, even though they’re good for you and your Diabetes. I’d highly recommend trying Tabouleh, a Middle Eastern dish made with herbs, onions, lemon juice, and bulgur. It’s extremely good mixed with hummus and served on a pita!
Vinegar helps to keep blood sugar spikes at bay for diabetics who eat it during a meal. Some people actually recommend drinking it straight before you eat! I like to sprinkle it on a salad, or douse my vegetables in it. It’s also great for marinating meats! It’s extremely versatile.
Learning to read the nutrition data on food labels is key to eating the right diet for your Diabetes. Keep track of how much carbohydrates, sodium, sugar, fat, protein, and fiber are in each food you eat and try to only choose those which will keep your weight in check.
Quit smoking. Try again if you’ve tried before. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels. Diabetes already have a problem with circulation to the extremeties; that’s what leads to vision problems and the need for amputations. Smoking increases these risks, as well as being bad for your health overall. Ask your doctor for some resources to help you quit.
If you lack comprehensive health insurance and are diagnosed with Diabetes, don’t fear. Many drug companies and supply manufacturers have programs that can give you either free supplies or a vast discount. You may need to have your doctor apply on your behalf, attesting to the fact that you are financially strapped.
If you’re looking for a fitness class to help you lose weight to deal with your Diabetes, try the hospital! They often offer aerobics classes for people with various issues, like seniors or the morbidly obese, or regular fitness classes through outreach programs. Ask your doctor to find out if these are available to you or apply directly.
Find out if there are any public gardening areas near you where people grow their own produce. This is an excellent way for a Diabetic to get some exercise by doing weeding, watering, or planting new seedlings. Often you get to keep some of what you grow as well, giving you some wonderfully fresh and organic treats to enjoy when you get home!
Eating out at restaurants or getting take out is not only bad for a Diabetic’s health, but also their checkbook. Save money and your blood glucose level by eating at home instead. You can find many copycat recipes online for all your favorite foods, and even healthier versions which are better for you.
If you have diabetes, a great tip in managing your blood sugar is to never skip meals. When you skip meals, your body uses the glucose from your liver for fuel. For people with type 2 diabetes, the liver does not sense that the blood has enough glucose, so it keeps pouring out even more glucose. Therefore, skipping meals is not a good idea if you have diabetes.
For people who suffer from diabetes, try to take a multivitamin with minerals, Vitamin C and Chromium every day. These have all been proven to help keep your blood sugar at a reasonable level. Just remember that these should be taken along with medications, not as a substitute for them.
People with hypoglycemia may benefit from glucose tablets, and should discuss this option with their doctor. With good portability, and a quick burst to blood glucose levels, they offer you a quick solution to a hypoglycemic episode.
Diabetes Diagnosis
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.
If you are diabetic, make sure that you take care of your teeth and gums. This is extremely important, because diabetics are at a higher risk of becoming victim to gum disease. Brush and floss, at least twice a day, and visit your dentist twice a year. Make sure your dentist is aware of your diabetes diagnosis.
A good way for you do deal with the stress of a recent diabetes diagnosis, is to take the time to learn about your disease. If you take the time to find as much information as you can about the disease, you are going to be able to understand the importance of the treatments that your doctor has recommended. You will also see that a great quality of life is still possible, so long as you follow sensible advice concerning the problem.
Horror stories abound with the grandparent who lost their leg or the sibling whose eyesight was lost due to diabetes. While it is true that such things do occur, mostly they are unlikely to happen. Instead, picture yourself living a healthy, happy and productive life after being diagnosed with diabetes.
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