Guidelines for Managing Diabetes

For patients who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, the many lifestyle changes to be made can be overwhelming. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, don’t panic! Diabetes control involves three very basic steps: monitoring blood glucose levels, exercising regularly, and following a personalized eating plan. These activities will quickly become a habitual part of your daily lifestyle, ensuring good health for the future.

Monitoring blood glucose levels is the first step to controlling diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that causes the body to be unable to take sugar from the blood into the cells for energy. The buildup of sugar in the bloodstream is what causes the negative effects of diabetes, so maintaining good blood sugar levels will keep you healthy. The only way to know if your diet, exercise, and medication programs are working is to check your blood sugar!

Most diabetics check their blood sugar levels one or more times a day with a glucometer. Other options, such as a pump, are available. Pumps are attached to your body and continually read blood sugar levels and administer medication. Research is ongoing to find new methods to check blood sugar that do not require sticking for a blood sample, but there are not currently any of these on the market. Talk to your doctor about the method that is best for you and how often you should check your blood sugar levels.

The next important step in controlling your diabetes is regular exercise. Exercise helps to improve your blood sugar levels for up to 48 hours after it is done, so for best results, be sure to exercise at least every other day. If you are unsure about your current state of physical fitness, visit your doctor for an exam before beginning an exercise program.

You will be exercising frequently, so choose an activity that you enjoy. Options could include walking, dancing, biking, swimming, doing exercise videos, and more. When you begin your exercise routine, start at a level that is comfortable for you and increase over time. Increase until you are at least doing 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. This is a good level of exercise to keep you physically fit and help control your blood sugar levels.

The third step to controlling your diabetes is to follow a personalized eating plan. Most diabetic diets are designed to spread carbohydrates throughout the day so that they do not build up in your bloodstream at any one time. Carbohydrates become sugars that stay in a diabetic’s blood; that is why it is important to keep track of them.

The most popular diabetic diets currently in use are Carbohydrate Counting and the Exchange List. Carbohydrate Counting requires the patient to eat a certain amount of grams of carbohydrates at each meal and snack. The Exchange List technique provides a list of servings for different types of foods to be eaten throughout the day. Ask your doctor or a licensed nutritionist or registered dietitian to help you make an appropriate diet plan for your unique situation.

By monitoring your blood sugar, exercising regularly, and following a personalized eating plan, you can successfully control your diabetes! Make the commitment to take care of yourself. You will avoid possible health complications related to your diabetes and feel great!

Next article: Insulin And A Diabetic Diet