Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes. At Advanced Internal Medical Group in East Hills, NY we understand that managing diabetes can be complicated but this guide will give you 5 tips for managing diabetes.
Tips for managing diabetes:
1. Keep A Record Of Your Sugar Readings
2. Be more physically active
3. Watch what your diet
4. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
5. Work with your healthcare provider to make adjustments and improve diabetes management
Why Is Recording Your Sugar Readings Important?
Gradually, your blood sugar control may be changing in ways that are not immediately visible. By keeping a blood sugar diary, you can see patterns over time that can inform you and your diabetes care team on treatment changes needed to improve your management.
There are different ways you can keep a blood diary including a diabetes record book, phone applications, and computer software.
How Can Doing More Exercise Help You?
Exercise can manage your diabetes in several ways. Physical activity can help you lose weight, lower blood sugar, and boost your sensitivity to insulin. More weight loss will translate into even greater benefits. All these beneficial factors help keep your blood sugar within an adequate range. Combining aerobic and resistance exercises is important for managing your diabetes. Speak to your doctor about the specific amount of exercise you need.
What Type Of Diet Should I Be Eating?
Plants provide vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates in your diet. Carbohydrates include energy sources for your body and fiber. Foods high in fiber promote weight loss and lower the risk of diabetes and other diseases. Eat a variety of healthy, fiber-rich foods, which include fruits, legumes, green or leafy vegetables, and whole grains. Your diet should consist of foods such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, lentils, and whole-grain rice or whole-wheat pasta.
Avoid bad carbohydrates high in sugar with little fiber or nutrients such as white bread and pastries, pasta from white flour, fruit juices, and processed foods with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Instead, your diet should include a variety of foods with unsaturated fats or good fats. Unsaturated fats promote healthy blood cholesterol levels and good heart and vascular health. Sources of good fats include olive and sunflower oil, nuts and seeds, and some fish.
Did You Know That Mixing Alcohol and Diabetes Is Dangerous?
Drinking is individualized and there is no universal rule for how to do it safely when you live with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about your drinking habits and they can provide you with tips and tricks for how to drink in a way that works for you. There are some major cautions to combining alcohol and diabetes. When alcohol is mixed with diabetes medication low blood sugar can result. This happens because the liver makes sugar between meals and while you sleep. The liver then sends this sugar into the bloodstream to help prevent or slow down a low blood sugar reaction. Drinking alcohol disrupts this process. The type and amount of alcohol you drink also matter. You want to avoid types of alcohol that have a higher number of calories.
Consider Working With Your Healthcare Provider To Make The Right Plan For You
At AIM Group we understand that every managing plan is different based on your needs and goals. We have a vast array of services to create the right management plan for you including a nutritionist, geriatric care, maintenance of chronic conditions, and weight management services. If you are considering services near East Hills, NY, and are interested in any of these services call (516) 352-8100.