Why It's Important To Know About Diabetes

Why It's Important To Know About Diabetes

Managing your diabetes can seem like a lifelong struggle that you will never get out of. There are steps that you can take to reduce the affects your diabetes has on you and to maximize your treatment of it. This article will highlight these ideas for you in a practical way.

The glycemic index is a number that all foods have. It lets you know how the food will affect your blood sugar. Diabetics should always look for foods with the lowest possible GI number.

Lots of other protein-rich foods besides meat exist, such as beans, tofu, eggs, and dairy products. Don't get into a rut and keep trying new things!

If you're having trouble getting the motivation to exercise after being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, get in the game! Competitive sports are not only fun, but you have other people who rely on you to show up so that there are enough players for a game. Having them breathing down your neck will convince you to be on time!

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 keep their water intake high, so take a bottle with you to save some money at the mall. You'll find water fountains in most buildings, so make use of it and fill up. You can find collapsible bottles at many stores that literally roll up, so you can keep them in your purse or bag.

There are so many resources online for diabetics, including the American Diabetes Association, so make use of all they have to offer! Many have support groups, articles, research and even links to local educators, who can help you learn even more. Take the time to know what's going on in your body and you'll live a long, healthy life.

It is important for diabetics to learn to eat a healthy diet and control portion sizes. Eating excessively large portions is a sure way to gain weight. Eating too much, even of foods that are good for you, will result in weight gain and blood sugar problems. Use smaller plates, put your utensils down between bites and eat slower.

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.

Conditions like Gastroparesis can cause your stomach to empty itself of food more slowly than normal after you have eaten a meal. For diabetics, this can translate to unpredictable drops and spikes in blood glucose levels, which can then affect the way that you feel throughout the day. Consider speaking with your doctor about whether you should take your insulin later or sooner than the standard 45 minutes before a meal.

People with diabetes would do well to cook their pasta al dente. Research has shown that overcooked pasta that is mushy and easily loses its form tends to give up its glucose more readily. This can raise the sugar level of someone suffering from diabetes immensely so make sure your pasta is not overcooked.

When it comes to dealing with diabetes, make sure that you are not doing it alone. It is important because it is much easier to deal with problems like this if you have a close friend there to help you cope with it. This can be beneficial either through advice that they can provide or just by having somebody to talk to.

Blood circulation is an ongoing problem for many people that suffer from diabetes. Getting regular exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle is very important in managing your diabetes as well as your overall health. Walking, swimming, or even playing simple sports are great activities for improving circulation to all areas of your body.

If you are a diabetic make sure that you have emergency supplies with you. Make sure to pack an extra glucose meter, insulin, lancet, test strips, syringes, and wipes. Hypoglycemia can be treated with glucose tablets, and such tablets can be stored for quite some time. Keeping items such as this handy can ensure that you have a safe trip. An ideal way to carry these items is in a fanny pack.

Now you are equipped to take some practical steps to manage your diabetes better, get better results from your treatment and even lower the affects diabetes has over you. Following these tips will give you some of the results you have been looking for.