Managing Diabetes

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle from the Comfort of Home

How you manage diabetes may be a matter of life or death. However, with adequate diet and exercise, the condition can successfully be controlled. Creating a wellness program for yourself is all about becoming aware of your body and what it needs to stay healthy.

Causes and Types of Diabetes

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, gets too elevated.

There are three primary types of diabetes:

Type 1 is known as juvenile diabetes, a lifelong disease that also may be an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the immune system destroys cells in the pancreas, called beta cells, which controls insulin.

Type 2 may be related to genetics, though causes are unknown. This is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body cannot produce insulin on its own, and insulin injections may be required. It can be caused by lifestyle choices such as high sugar intake, lack of exercise, and stress. Type 2 diabetes may be effectively managed with diet and exercise.

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and is caused by hormones that block insulin. The condition can be controlled by eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. Gestational diabetes typically goes away after birth but may put you at a greater risk of type 2 diabetes.

Latent autoimmune diabetes, monogenic diabetes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis-associated diabetes are less common forms of the disease.

Managing Diabetes

According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, those with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those without the condition. Both those with and without the disease must make healthy lifestyle choices each day. This includes establishing healthy eating patterns to normalize blood glucose levels.

Keep in mind that the foods you consume can greatly affect blood sugar levels and also have a profound effect on how the body uses energy. Too much glucose within the body can lead to heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, eye disease, foot complications, and gum disease. Low blood sugar, on the other hand, can cause gastrointestinal issues, fainting, and mental confusion. When managing diabetes, it is all about balance.

Start your day with a wholesome breakfast that contains grains and proteins. Then follow up with at least 30 minutes of exercise, which should be implemented daily. Avoid processed foods, pastries, and sugary drinks. Instead load up on proteins and superfoods, such as salmon, leafy greens, and nuts and berries. Diabetics Diet offers some delicious recipes and meal plans to keep you healthy as you manage your diabetes.

Types of Exercise

Exercise assists with healthy weight management and helps control blood pressure, which can sometimes lead to eye problems, cardiovascular issues, and strokes.

There are a variety of exercise options to choose from as a diabetic, depending on your personal goals and preferences. One of your main priorities is to get your blood flowing to increase circulation to your extremities. You can accomplish this with a combination of aerobic and anaerobic activities.

Following along with videos is a really good way to incorporate some exercise into your daily life, check out the following easy suggestions.

Walking, bicycling, and swimming are great options as they are meditative activities that inspire movement. You may also prefer yoga, as opposed to traditional workouts, which also offers cardiovascular benefits without high-impact motions.

Where you work out is also up to you. While fresh air is great for the body and mind, you may implement workouts at home, especially if you live in a climate where the weather doesn’t permit outside exercise. When you must stay indoors, you can easily work out at home with equipment like weights, resistance bands, and a balance trainer.

Whether you work out outside or indoors, a fitness tracker or smartwatch can help you track your progress and meet your fitness goals. If you’re going to pick up a smartwatch, make sure you shield your investment with a protective covering to prevent any damage to your screen.

While lifestyle adjustments may take some getting used to after being diagnosed with diabetes, proper care is necessary. Though it is a serious disease, diabetes can be managed by making smart lifestyle decisions.

Managing Your Diabetes: What You Eat Can Help

A diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming for the person receiving the news. However, one of the most positive aspects of this disease is that there are things you can do to help yourself feel better and live a happier life. This article aims to provide you with the information you need to adjust your diet and positively impact your condition.

When considering their diet, the first thing that diabetics often think is that they will have to significantly reduce the amount of carbohydrates that they eat. This is simply not true, although carbs will have an effect on your blood sugar levels. You do need to be careful with respect to the kind and the amount of carbohydrates you are consuming, however.

Try to managing diabetes with eat very little rice, pasta, candy and soda; these carbohydrates are highly refined. Turn your attention instead to foods that are known as “slow-release” carbs. These items take longer to digest, which means they do not cause a big change in your blood sugar levels. Things like brown rice, sweet potatoes and cereal with a lot of fiber in them all fall into this category.

Another misconception that people have about managing diabeties is that they think they have to cut all the sugar out of their diet. In fact, there is nothing wrong with indulging in a reasonable amount of dessert every once in a while. It is important to limit yourself, however, and to be smart about what you are eating.

If you know that you want to eat something sweet, make small modifications to your meal. Forgo a carbohydrate, such as mashed potatoes or pasta, because your dessert will also have carbs in it. Make sure to also eat your dessert as part of your meal instead of consuming it all on its own. If you eat something sweet when it is not meal time, your blood sugar levels may rise. This does not usually happen when the dessert is eaten at the same time as other foods.

Try to increase the amount of fish you are eating; ideally, have this meal once or twice a week. Fish will help you stay away from meats that are high in fat. Halibut and tuna are both good choices. Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, are also good for your heart. Pay attention to the type of fish you are selecting for your meals, though; you do not want fried fish or fish that has a lot of mercury in it.

Once you understand what to eat and what to stay away from, you need to focus on how you eat. It is important to schedule your meals at the same time each day and to try and not deviate from that schedule very much. Consistency in this area can help regulate your blood sugar levels.

In most cases, it is not as hard as it seems to effectively manage diabetes. However, remember to always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Once you get their permission, use the tips in this article to get control of your diabetes.