Diabetes is a trying time in anyone's life, but you can make it manageable with the choices you make. It may seem like a daunting task at first but after you get it under control you can expect to live a full life. Following are some handy tips to help you make good decisions. Please read on.
Do you know what your A1C is? If you're Diabetic, you should know it along with your weight. This number indicates how well you've been controlling your blood sugar over the long-term, which will tell you if you need to be checking your fasting blood glucose levels more often to see what's going on.
Be careful with the medicines you choose when you have a cold, many are laden with sugar which can affect your blood sugar levels. Make sure you take this into account if you're keeping track of what you eat to maintain even blood sugar levels, or if your blood sugar mysteriously spikes.
Find out if your health insurer will help you quit smoking after your diagnosis of Diabetes. Many insurance companies provide all sorts of resources for policyholders who want to quit smoking as it will save them money both on the health claims you make and any home insurance claims for accidental fire.
Test your blood sugar before bed if you are Diabetic. It's important to eat something if your sugar is low to make sure you'll be okay over the long night until the morning. If your blood sugar is just right then it's advisable to take a few bites of something to keep it up until you wake.
Increasing your intake of magnesium is not only good for your heart, it can help your diabetes too! You can find lots of magnesium in fish, leafy greens, and nuts, so include those items in your diet as often as possible. Almonds are an excellent choice to grab as a snack any time.
Make a plan for everything you do to battle your Diabetes. Plan out your exercise routine for the week, and vary it to keep it interesting. Make meal plans so you know what you'll be eating on any given day, what you need to pick up at the grocery store, and what should be defrosted the night before. This will keep you on track and organized.
Walmart and Costco both provide prescriptions at a discounted cost which can save you a lot of money on your Diabetes medications. They also have Diabetic supplies like monitors, lancets, test strips and syringes and they're carried in bulk at Costco. You can also find pamphlets at both pharmacies with information on Diabetes.
Make sure to regularly check your blood sugar and write it in a log if you are diabetic. It is important that you do this because your blood sugar may be fine and a few hours later it could be dangerously high. Blood sugar that is consistently high raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Aren't you glad you took just a few minutes to read these handy tips? Remember, once you learn to deal and live with your Diabetes, it will become natural to you. It just takes a little time to figure out what is best for you. So, why not start today?