Living the Good Life with Diabetes

Having diabetes means a lot of lifestyle changes have to happen. In fact, the entire situation can often seem overwhelming, especially when a person is first diagnosed. Fortunately, it becomes considerably easier to deal with as time goes on. I have been diabetic for almost 15 years, but recently I have been transferred from tablets to Insulin, and am now having to evaluate my food choices all over again. Below are some tips about diet and lifestyle choices that can help anyone that has been diagnosed with diabetes live the fullest life possible.

Fruit

Fruit is a healthy choice and one your body needs, but some types of fruit do contain a lot of natural sugar – fructose. You can and should still enjoy fruit, it’s health benefits far outweigh the bad, and a good way to indulge is by making your own juices and smoothies where you can use a smaller amount of fruit but still get the taste and flavour. It may be worth investing in a juicer from www.myjuicer.co.uk to help make life easier.

Dealing with fast food

One of the most difficult things to alter for most people is the way they eat. Fast food is notoriously unhealthy but if you are a diabetic and you have to eat it, choose lighter options such as salads as opposed to burgers or french fries. Take care to use the least amount of dressing possible, because this can turn an otherwise healthy option into something that is scarcely any better than the hamburger you just passed up.

Eating at other restaurants

Sometimes, eating at even the most upscale restaurant is no easier than eating somewhere that serves fast food. Typically, restaurants in general have a habit of serving unhealthy meal options and the portions are way too large. Again, choose a healthy option like a salad and baked fish or steamed vegetables. Ask them to hold the dressing. This is a much healthier option than many of the other things that are probably on the menu.

Eating at home

When you learn how to cook in order to help your diabetes instead of hinder it, your life will probably become much easier. If you are going to eat meat, choose healthier options such as fish or chicken without the skin on it and refrain from frying anything. Eat a lot of vegetables and make sure that you choose healthy options when it comes to the various ways that you choose to cook them.

Typical pitfalls

There are a lot of pitfalls when it comes to dealing with your diabetes. Eating a lot of sugary desserts or frying too many foods are never a good idea. Neither is consuming a lot of pasta. If you do these things and you don’t get a lot of physical activity, you are setting yourself up for disaster.

Foods that help

Believe it or not, there are some foods that can actually help improve your blood sugar levels as opposed to hurting them. These include foods like cinnamon and coffee. If you love coffee, go ahead and indulge but try to leave the sugar aside. You can even incorporate some cinnamon into a few healthy desserts so that you don’t feel like you are missing out on everything all the time.

Test your blood sugar

This should go without saying. Get in a routine of checking your blood sugar levels and test them often using diabetic test strips.

Physical activity

You need to get a lot of physical activity. You don’t have to prepare to run a marathon, but it is a good idea to walk, ride a bicycle or play some basketball with friends. Do what you have to do to get off the couch and start moving.

Creating the right lifestyle

Without a doubt, your life as a diabetic will require a certain period of adjustment. Focus on changing your diet and becoming more active but do not beat yourself up if you are not able to make the change completely at one time. This is a process and there is nothing wrong with that.

Sleep matters too

Not getting enough sleep can cause people to become diabetic, so it only stands to reason that you need to get plenty of sleep if you are already dealing with this problem.

Watch your weight

Sometimes it is a struggle to keep your weight under control when you are a diabetic. The sooner that you find a way to maintain a healthy weight, the better position you are putting yourself in to stay healthy.

 

 

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