Practical Steps to Manage Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you need a blood test monitor and other tools that will help you manage your diabetes. While it may sound like a far off dream to actually manage your diabetes, it is possible with some simple tools and techniques. This article will guide you through different ways that will help you manage diabetes.

Eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily

Have a Positive Attitude
Although it’s not exactly pleasant news to find out you have diabetes, you need to make the best of a bad situation. There are solutions that will allow you to manage your diabetes so you don’t have to suffer through the symptoms people used to in the past. Meet with your doctor to discuss a treatment program like developing healthier eating habits and exercise habits. You need a good doctor that you can easily talk to about your challenges and set backs that may come with diabetes. Committing yourself to the care of a good doctor will make the entire process easier. They may even be able to help you lose weight and actually get off insulin medications because you are able to control your diet.


Track Your Blood Glucose
Get a notebook and start managing your blood glucose. Sure you may enjoy soda and cheesecake but it can do terrible things to your blood glucose. Purchase a blood glucose monitor and talk to your doctor to find out how many times per day you should be checking your blood glucose levels. Here are some great blood test monitors. Make sure you purchase a lancet, control solution, and extra test strips. Write down your test results along with time you took the test so you can see how your blood glucose is doing throughout the day.


Change Your Lifestyle
The best way to manage diabetes is to make a complete lifestyle change. You need to make a commitment to eating healthier foods and daily exercise. Meet with your doctor to discuss the foods that you need to eliminate from your diet as they can have severe consequences. Since diabetes is a medical condition that has troubles with high sugar levels, you need exercise and proper diet to regulate your blood sugar throughout the day. Usually doctors will recommend their patients meet with a dietician that will be able help you develop a personalized diet that fits your lifestyle. They will also recommend certain exercise programs that are beneficial for your age and weight. While younger diabetic patients may not have problems with yoga and Pilates, an elderly diabetic patient may be unable to do this.


Dietary Advice
Since you need to make changes to your diet, you may need to keep some emergency candy with you in case you have a sudden blood sugar drop. It also helps to drink nutritional supplements in between meals as they will stabilize your blood sugar. These drinks are designed specifically for diabetic patients as they have a proper balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber that will help to regulate your blood sugar and avoid the peaks and valleys that happen if you don’t manage your diabetes.

Try to include at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet each day. Spread out the intake of your fruits because they contain natural sugars so you want to use them as snacks to keep your blood sugar under control.

They look good and are good for you.

Reduce your intake of fatty foods and salt. You need to try and keep your sugar intake to a minimum and focus more on eating natural sugars found in fruits versus the refined sugars that are found in sodas and candy bars. Reduce your carbohydrates and focus on protein and fiber-rich foods instead.


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