Being diagnosed with diabetes can be frightening and confusing. You may not know anything about the disease beyond thinking it has something to do with sugar, daily injections, and even amputations. There are things you can do to make life with diabetes easier, and things everyone should know about the disease. Here is some advice below.
Every food has a glycemic index, which is a number that shows how great of an effect that food will have on blood sugar levels, based on its ingredients. The lower a food’s GI number is, the safer it is for a diabetic to consume.
Diabetics have to watch their carbohydrate intake, and bread is a major player in a typical American’s diet. Try to find a bread with at least 5 grams of fiber AND protein per slice so that eating it is validated by the nutrients it’s carrying. Also avoid preservatives as they’re not healthy either.
If you love to have a sandwich, but can’t afford the carbohydrates that come with the bread, make a lettuce wrap! Diabetics who need to keep their weight in check will avoid eating the part of the sandwich which is bad for you, while having the fresh, crispy crunch of lettuce. It’s so tasty!
Want a tasty treat that won’t be forbidden by your doctor due to your Diabetes? Try nachos! Use a low fat cheese, low fat sour cream, homemade guacamole, and salsa, and you’ll be getting a ton of nutrition with a burst of flavor. If you add some beans to the salsa you’ll have an even healthier snack!
Check you cholesterol level as well as blood pressure! If you have Diabetes, blood sugar is not the only thing you need to keep and eye on. Diabetes can increase the likelihood of bad cholesterol being high in your blood, so you need to keep track of that – even if you’re not eating – fatty fried foods. Blood pressure can also be increased, leading to headaches, faintness, and even strokes.
To save money, the American Diabetes Association approves the re-use of testing lancets. These are the needles used by your glucometer to test your blood sugar. Re-using them does result in them becoming dull, so be sure to change them out when you notice the pain level of your testing rising. Never share lancets.
Healthier
Hey there, Diabetics! Have you ever thought of turning your burger inside out? Well, not exactly, but putting the lettuce on the outside will get rid of that carbohydrate-laced bun and increase the amount of vegetables you’re eating. Replace the hamburger with a lentil patty for an even healthier treat!
You can make a sandwich into a lettuce wrap, or even use it on a burger as a bun, but have you thought of doing a hot dog wrap? If you buy preservative-free hot dogs for a once-a-month treat, wrap them in a piece of lettuce to make them a bit healthier!
As mentioned above, many people are frightened when they first hear that they have diabetes. Ignorance and confusion can make the disease very difficult to live with. Having read this article, however, you now know more about the disease. Being better informed will make it easier for you to manage your life with diabetes.
