Adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the best changes you can make to effectively manage your diabetes and improve your critical health numbers. This includes your weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. However, successful diabetes management requires awareness, such as knowing what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall and understanding how to control these day-to-day factors. There are many things that can make your blood sugar level change, which can sometimes happen unexpectedly. This article will help you learn more about the importance of your lifestyle and daily routine in controlling your diabetes. You will find a few helpful tips to look after yourself and avoid complications.
Make Healthy Food Choices
Eating healthy is crucial when you have diabetes, as it can directly affect your blood sugar. However, remember that no foods are strictly off-limits, but you should focus on eating as much as your body needs. It’s also important to control your portion sizes and read food labels so that you can maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, non-fat dairy, and lean meats. Keep in mind that all carbs affect blood glucose levels, so you should choose healthier foods that contain carbs. You should also cut down on foods that are low in fibre, such as white bread.
Find Helpful Resources
Whether you have been living with diabetes for a while or you are newly diagnosed, the path to fully understanding it can be challenging. Therefore, it’s advisable to look for helpful resources, that can give you the tools, tips, and food ideas that you need. For example, Air Liquide Healthcare UK provides plenty of information on the different types of diabetes, managing diabetes on a daily basis, and improving your overall quality of life. Apart from useful resources, Air Liquide Healthcare UK offers innovative healthcare products, services, and support. You can also explore a wide range of videos, user guides, and online learning tools.
Cut Down On Added Sugar
While it’s likely that cutting down on added sugar will be difficult in the beginning, it’s best to take small practical steps to reduce excess sugar in your diet. For example, you may begin by swapping sugary drinks and fruit juices for water, plain milk, or tea, and coffee without sugar. You may also want to try using low or zero-calorie sweeteners. Cutting down on added sugar is key to controlling your blood glucose levels and keeping your weight down. It’s also important to be smart when it comes to snacks by choosing yoghurts, unsweetened nuts, and fruits and vegetables as opposed to crisps, biscuits, and chocolates.
Watch Your Alcohol Intake
As alcohol is typically high in calories, you may want to think about cutting back, if you drink regularly. Also, if you take insulin or other medications, remember that it’s not a good idea to drink on an empty stomach. Alcohol can also make your blood sugar go too low or too high, so you should always check your blood sugar before drinking. In addition, some drinks like wine coolers might be higher in carbs, which means you should take this into consideration if you are counting carbs.