When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is a terrifying time. The best news is that you have some control over your diagnosis. Making life changes can be extremely beneficial to controlling your diabetes. The most important thing to remember is that you are in charge of managing your diabetes.
The choices you make on a daily basis regarding diet and exercise have the most significant impact on your prognosis. Working with your doctors and nutritionists and taking their advice is a powerful weapon in your arsenal.   Here are some tips to help you manage your diabetes.
Learn About Your Diagnosis
When it comes to diabetes, knowledge is power. The more you can read up and learn about diabetes and what changes are happening to your body, the better equipped you will be to combat your symptoms. By studying about different foods and how they convert to energy in your body, you will be able to make smart choices when meal planning.
Check out websites that have recipes and exercises specifically designed for people with diabetes. There are plenty of sites that offer free resources for learning about the changes in your body. Work closely with your health professionals and ask lots of questions when having checkups. You can even join a support group to build up your community of people that are in various stages of their diagnosis and can offer help and encouragement to you. Many groups offer up counseling and help with meal planning.
Meal Plan
Before you head to the grocery store and are tempted by all the processed foods, make sure you have thought out your meal plan for the week. By planning, you minimize the risks of eating unhealthy choices that can cause your blood sugar to spike and make you feel sick. Blowing your diet can have serious long-term effects and can take days to level out your blood sugar. Take the time to learn how your body reacts to different food choices. If you are in the beginning stages or pre-diabetes, your diet is the best way to control your diabetes. By taking extra care during this stage, you can keep it from progressing to insulin dependency.
Keep A Food Diary
Track your food daily to get a handle on how your diabetes is affecting your blood sugar. When you a first diagnosed, it is a perfect idea to track your foods and corresponding blood sugar. This will help give you and your doctors information about how your body is responding to different foods and what impact any prescribed drugs are having. You should also keep track of your exercise to see how that helps. Even people that have had diabetes for many years can benefit from maintaining records if they are experiencing out of the ordinary blood sugar levels or energy levels.
Exercise
Most of us don’t like the idea of exercise. But trust us, once you form the habit and begin to see results in your body, it can become addictive. You don’t have to go to the gym but try and get outside and walk. If you have a dog, take them on an extra-long walk and increase the length and the pace as time goes on. Exercise is one of the best ways to help regulate your blood sugar. When activity is paired with a healthy diet, they are a powerful duo. Make sure to speak with your medical practitioner to create an exercise plan that is best for your goals.
Medication
Your doctor may determine that you need the assistance of medication to help regulate your blood sugar. They may prescribe an oral or injectable dose of insulin to help your body process sugar and carbohydrates. Many people feel nervous when they here about insulin because they don’t want daily injections. If you begin with oral medication, take extra care to try and manage the disease from progressing. No matter which diabetes treatment option you go with, you can still enjoy an excellent quality of life with some moderation.
A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t mean the fun is over. You do not have to remove all of your favorite foods from your diet; the key is to find a healthy balance. Working with friends, family and your medical professionals, you can come up with a plan that works for you. Remember, you are in charge of your body and your diagnosis. You can make the difference in the way you feel.
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