Diabetes and care—there couldn’t be a better combination of words in the world of diabetes!
Your doctor may examine you and offer advice during visits to the clinic or at your home. But ultimately, you are your own caregiver 24 hours a day, throughout the months and years of living with diabetes. How often do you find yourself thinking about diabetes each day?
Don’t despair—you can manage it well with proper care.
The two words that stand out most in diabetes management are diet and exercise! If you stay disciplined in these areas, half the battle is already won.
Keep in mind that about 50 to 60 percent of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, 12 to 20 percent from proteins, and no more than 30 percent from fats.
Regarding diet, focus heavily on fruits, vegetables, and plenty of fiber. Increasing your fiber intake will help tremendously. It’s important to give up heavy meals and instead eat smaller portions whenever you feel hungry. Avoid extreme highs or lows in your blood glucose levels. If you’re aiming to lose weight, keep in mind that slow and steady progress is the key to success. If you’ve consulted your doctor and are following their guidelines, losing around two pounds per week is excellent progress.
Diabetics are at higher risk for heart and liver diseases. Avoid foods high in saturated fats. Olive oil is often recommended as a good source of monounsaturated fat—the healthiest type of fat.
Remember these lifelines for your health:
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Maintain normal blood glucose levels.
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Stay aware of your risk for heart and liver disease, and select your foods with care.
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Maintain a healthy, desired weight.
While diet is crucial, research into the effects of various foods on diabetes continues. Scientists are confident about some facts—like cooked foods raising blood glucose more than raw foods—but are still uncertain about others, such as whether sugary foods raise blood sugar more than starchy foods.
Diabetes care will likely remain a hot topic for a long time, as diabetes continues to affect millions worldwide.
