1. Diabetes 101--Learn About the Disease
Diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are too high. Glucose is supposed to enter your cells, so it can be used by your body. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the glucose get into the cells. If there isn't enough insulin being produced by your pancreas, the glucose has a difficult time entering your cells. Because the glucose isn't entering the cells, it stays in the bloodstream, which causes elevated blood sugar levels. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce insulin at all and injections must be taken to replace it. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does release insulin but not enough to help glucose enter the cells. Symptoms of diabetes include increased hunger and thirst, increased urination, weight loss, slowed healing, fatigue and blurry vision.
2. Curb Your Appetite
Although there is no specific diabetic diet to follow, there are certain dietary guidelines important to help control Type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, the diet will restrict calories until you reach an ideal weight. Dietary guidelines include eating half your daily calories with healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables. Not only are these foods healthy carbohydrates, they are high in fiber as well. Limit your intake of transfats and saturated fats, as well as fatty meats that can raise cholesterol levels. Sweets and desserts can be eaten occasionally, but make sure you limit another high carbohydrate food on the same day. This is basically an exchange system, where you exchange one carbohydrate for another. Alcohol is ok, but only in moderation. Sugar substitutes in cooking and baking give diabetics more of a choice.
3. Manage Your Medication
Diet modification and exercise are the first choice when treating Type 2 diabetes. Many people respond favorably to diet and exercise and don't need anti-diabetic medications. There are many choices for anti-diabetic drugs, and you may have to change drugs until one is effective for you. Sometimes a drug may simply stop working for you, even if it's worked for a long time. If a medication has stopped working, it doesn't mean the diabetes is worse. The medication prescribed is based on your average blood sugar readings, age, general physical condition and other medications you are taking.
4. The Dreaded Exercise Advice
Exercise lowers blood sugar levels and daily exercise is an important part of controlling Type 2 diabetes. Discuss exercise with your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Because exercise lowers blood sugar, always check your blood sugar levels before you exercise. You may need to have a snack before you exercise to avoid low blood sugar.
5. Exercise Common Sense
Check your blood sugar regularly because blood sugar levels can fluctuate with stress or illness. Keep a chart of blood sugar readings. If your blood sugar becomes elevated and stays elevated, see your doctor.
