Tag Archives: diabetes tips

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes Info

Hearing that you have diabetes is likely frightening. You might not know where to start this new life, and you might not know what you need to do or where to go. You might even be afraid to eat. Take a deep breath. If you just have a little patience, this article can help you to understand a little more about your disease and what you must do to deal well with it.

1. Talk to your doctor about your disease. Diabetes is not something you can have a five minute talk about. You really need to sit down with your doctor and talk about what diabetes means, what it means for you specifically and what kind of things you are going to have to do in order to manage this disease. The truth is that everyone with diabetes doesn’t have the exact same disease. Everyone has slightly different needs, so you definitely need to your doctor.

2. Learn as much as you can on your own. Your doctor is not the person with diabetes, you are. That’s why you cannot let one person define diabetes for you. You need to go online and discover the disease for yourself. Your doctor can give you the blueprint, but you really need to read as much as you can about your own disease and really flesh it out in your brain. When you really understand what “blood glucose levels” are measuring, and how you keep that under control, you are going to be able to make the kinds of choices you can be proud about, in order to handle your disease.

3. Talk to other diabetics. No one knows quite what you’re going through the way another diabetic does. Even though everyone might not experience the same thing, other diabetics can offer you opinions, suggestions and just a shoulder when you need one. If you don’t feel comfortable going to a support group, there are also online forums where you can post in your pajamas.

4. Figure out what you are going to eat, either with the help of a dietician or on your own. A dietician can provide you with meal plans and a very specific framework to stay within. However, you know what you will eat, and you know what you are able to afford. If you do it on your own, make sure that you think you can do it successfully. Go out and make sure that you cut down on carbs in your meals. Monitor your blood sugar readings to make sure you are on the right track, and that you might be able to eat more than you thought you could.

Understanding diabetes is the first step to realizing that you don’t need to worry about your life. This is something that many people need to deal with, and you can as well. The important thing to remember is that you are in control, and that your life can be good, even with diabetes. Use the tips above to learn more about your disease, so you can conquer it.

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Tips To Lower Diabetes Risk

Tips

Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is one of the fastest growing diseases in America. It affects more than 24 million Americans. While genetic factors can affect your likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes, the disease is largely attributed to lifestyle and behavioral factors. Here are a few simple tips to preventing type 2 diabetes.

1. Stop smoking today.

Along with a host of other illnesses associated with smoking, smokers are more than 50% more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers. This risk is higher for heavy smokers. So, if you were thinking about quitting before, now is the time to stop. You can quit cold turkey or try nicotine patches, but, if preventing type 2 diabetes is your goal, quit smoking today.

2. Limit your intake of sugary foods.

Sugary foods and beverages have a high glycemic load, which causes a large spike in your blood sugar and insulin levels. This can strain the delicate balance of insulin in your body. Try to limit your intake of sugary drinks and snacks, instead opting for healthier options like coffee, tea or water instead of soda or juice and vegetables and fruits instead of candy.

3. Pick whole grains over processed carbs.

While it may seem counter-intuitive, more difficult to digest carbohydrates are actually much healthier for you. Whole grains are complex and require time for the body to break down. They lower the spike of blood sugar and overall insulin levels in your system. Instead of processed carbohydrates like white bread, donuts or bagels, opt for foods with a lower glycemic index. Whole grains like wheat bread, brown rice and whole wheat crackers are a great place to start.

4. Exercise

Studies have shown that being obese is linked closely to type 2 diabetes, so turn off your television and get to moving. Walking even 10 minutes a day is enough to significantly lower your chances or developing type 2 diabetes and a host of other illnesses. Once you’ve consistently been walking, increase the pace and length of your walks or even try jogging. Working your muscles and cardiovascular system helps your body efficiently produce insulin.

5. Have a glass of wine

Moderate alcohol consumption may be linked to lowered instances of heart disease and diabetes. Moderate alcohol consumption (one drink a day for women and two for men) increases the efficiency of insulin, but it’s important not to drink more than that or the effects may be reversed. Wine has a less calories than beer and may be a preferable option for those trying to lose weight.

6. Eat less red meat

The iron content in red meat has been shown to diminish insulin’s effectiveness. Nitrates in preservatives used in meat may be the cause of this problem. Instead of red meat, try to incorporate more poultry and fish into your diet, or opt for vegetarian sources of protein such as tofu or nuts.

7. Avoid saturated and trans fats

The type of fats in your diet can affect your likelihood of developing diabetes. Saturated and trans fats. found in margarine and foods fried in vegetable oil, have been shown to have numerous negative effects on your body. Polyunsaturated fats, found in certain nuts and fish, are a healthier option.

Although genes play a role in your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to prevent developing the illness. These choices have a variety of benefits for the body outside of preventing type 2 diabetes as well, so consider adopting a few or all of these tips to help your body stay healthy.

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Tips To Help Prevent Diabetes

Prevention

If you believe you are at risk for diabetes, you need to take action and do everything you can to reduce your chances of developing this condition. Go over this article for some useful tips on diabetes prevention.

Being more active will help you keep your blood sugar down. You should ideally work out two or three times a week and be active during your daily routine, for instance by walking as much as possible. If you have been inactive for years, you need to take action and find a way to be more active. You could for instance find a new hobby that allows you to be more active or get a dog so you can go for walks everyday.

Fibers and whole grains are good for you. Introduce more foods rich in fibers and whole grains in your diet; you can find fibers in bran cereal, beans, sweet peas, spinach, beets and berries. If you need to add more whole grains to your diet, eat some whole grain bread, whole grain pasta and brown rice. You could for instance cook your favorite pasta dish with some whole grain noodles or make your favorite sandwich on whole grain bread. Take a whole grain or fiber supplement if you need to.

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If you are overweight, it is time to go on a diet. Meet with your doctor to assess how much weight you need to lose and get some useful advice. It is important to lose weight in a healthy way. You should not eliminate food groups from your diet or eat less than you should in order to lose weight quickly. Focus on introducing new healthy foods into your diet to replace bad nutritional choices. Eat reasonable portions and follow a strict schedule for your meals. Exercising regularly will also help you keep your weight down.

You need to talk to your relatives about the family’s medical history. If diabetes runs in your family, you will be more likely to develop this condition. Having diabetic relatives does not mean you are going to develop this condition later in life; it means you are more at risk and will probably develop diabetes if you do not keep your weight or cholesterol down, adopt an unhealthy lifestyle or suffer from high blood pressure.

Getting tested for diabetes regularly is the best way to catch the condition early and take action right away to prevent it from getting worse. If you are over 45, you need to get tested for diabetes regularly. You should also get tested often if you are overweight or if diabetes runs in your family. Talk to your doctor about getting tested and find a health insurance that will cover the cost of these tests.

Use these tips to reduce your chances of developing diabetes and encourage other members of your household to do the same thing. You should schedule an appointment with your doctor if you want to make sure you are doing everything you can to prevent diabetes.

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