While the number of diabetic patients is touching the roof worldwide, it is important to understand that oral medicine and insulin alone cannot combat such huge numbers. Although there is no perfect manual or prescription diet that applies to every diabetic patient, there are few lifestyle changes that can help you keep your diabetes under control.
By Amna Javaid
When my mother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes I was really worried about her. I contacted the best diabetes doctor in Islamabad I could find and took her to the doctor for her treatment. I liked how the doctor not only prescribed medicine but also suggested some food and lifestyle changes for diabetes management.
4 Lifestyle Tips To Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels In Check
Over the years these are all the tips that were given to my diabetic mother by her doctors and they actually worked for her tremendously:
1 Your Diet
Your diet plays a huge role in your health and should be taken care of, with or without diabetes. But obviously, if you have diabetes you have to be extra mindful of what you eat. It is not just what you eat, in fact, it is about how much you eat and when you eat it. Even the “healthy” food if consumed in large portions can be unhealthy for you.
Maintain a balanced diet. A diet where there is a healthy balance between carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and micronutrients. Opt for homemade fresh food instead of junk food. Try to look for high fiber grains. Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet.
The most important nutrient that affects diabetes patients is carbohydrates. Cut down processed sugars and extra carbohydrates.
If you take insulin, ask your doctor to recommend your meal portions accordingly. Look out for the nutritional value of the food you eat. Learn how to eat in portions.
2 Your Physical Activity
Your physical activity is another factor that affects your overall health remarkably. Indulging in a healthy physical activity can actually lower your blood sugar levels as your muscles use blood sugar during physical activities.
Although high-intensity workouts can have a greater effect on your blood sugar. But if you are inactive, you should start small. Even everyday activities like using stairs instead of a lift can have a positive impact on your health. And once when your body gets used to it, you can increase your activity after consulting your doctor.
While you are trying to increase your physical activity, just make sure you are constantly in touch with your doctor so that they can prescribe you medication and diet according to that. Also, check your blood sugar level before, after, and in between your activity.
Always stay hydrated and keep some energy drink or glucose source near you in case the blood sugar level decreases.
3 Stress Management
Do you know that your blood sugar levels rise in response to prolonged stress? This makes your regular medication and treatment inadequate. Henceforth, try to seek help if you find yourself stressed often. In the meanwhile ask your doctor to prescribe medication for the circumstances where you are stressed and cannot control it. Also, try looking for the triggers that give you stress. Understand the situation and look out for healthy ways to cope up.
4 Other Conditions and Sickness
Medications and insulin will help you keep your diabetes under control but to get the maximum benefit out of it, you have to make sure you are taking the right dose at the right time. Also if you have other conditions or illnesses, it can affect your diabetes treatment too. If for some reason, your doctor changes your medication according to some other illness you’re experiencing, always discuss it with your doctor for diabetes. Check your blood sugar levels after having the new medication and consult your doctors if it is too high or too low.
Also, if you take insulin, store it in a cool, dry place and make sure it is not expired.
The bottom line
You can take better care of yourself if you know the factors that affect your diabetes. But remember that every person’s conditions may vary. So it is better to consult everything with your doctor.
Author Bio: Amna Javaid is a writing enthusiast, currently serving as a content writer for Healthwire.pk. She is an explorer, observer, and critic with extensive experience in research, analysis, and content marketing. Her main interest lies in spreading awareness of the common healthcare issues by learning and sharing more about human life every day.