A diagnosis of diabetes is probably amongst one of the hardest ones to swallow. With no cure, and a plethora of treatments that must be done on a daily basis it can be overwhelming. Don't be overwhelmed though. With the right knowledge it is a very manageable disease, and one can live quite a normal life.
If you're looking for a salty snack but your diabetes is holding you back, look no further than a jar of olives! They're a fruit, tasty, healthy, and fun to eat. You can cut them up and put them in salads, or even on a sandwich! I love to make a homemade submarine sandwich and sprinkle some on top. YUM!
Diabetic children can often feel ostracized or different than their classmates. You must remind your child that everyone is different, and that they're just like any children with peanut allergies or a pair of glasses. Their Diabetes is just a bump in their life, not a hurdle, and they'll be a stronger person some day for working hard at keeping it at bay.
If you're craving french fries but are watching your weight due to Diabetes, try sweet potato fries! Slice up a sweet potato and sprinkle salt, pepper, and other spices on it (Cajun spice mix also works well.) Bake it at 425 for about 30 minutes and you'll have sweet, scrumptious fries to eat!
Quit smoking. Try again if you've tried before. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels. Diabetes already have a problem with circulation to the extremeties; that's what leads to vision problems and the need for amputations. Smoking increases these risks, as well as being bad for your health overall. Ask your doctor for some resources to help you quit.
To keep exercise from dropping your blood glucose levels later, check your glucose levels every 45 minutes after a workout. If you see your levels start to go down, you can quickly treat the issue with a carb-loaded snack. As long as you're proactive about tracking your glucose levels, work-outs shouldn't be a problem.
To make sure you get the most out of your doctor's appointments, write down questions before the appointment. A doctor is a great resource to anyone suffering from diabetes, and you should make sure to take full advantage of their knowledge. Don't be afraid to ask for lots of information. Your doctor will be happy to help you better manage your condition.
Be passionate about having Diabetes and become an advocate for the disease. Type II Diabetes is preventable, and it's costing our government billions of dollars in treatment for people who can't afford it. You may not be one of those who are tapping the system for your care, but speaking up about what you know to help others avoid the disease will help us be able to use our money for more important things.
In conclusion, while diabetes is indeed one of the hardest diseases to manage, it isn't necessarily a death sentence. Sure it does require a lot of lifestyle changes, but nothing so out of the ordinary that it will utterly ruin your life. Accept your diagnosis, and the advice from this article, and live more relaxed.