Healthy Living With Diabetes Made Simple

Diabetes is a serious disease that can multiply into long term complications. Managing it right from the start of your diagnosis can help you live a life of good health without any future complications.

For many people, diabetes may feel like a complicated disease. If you get the basics of its management right, your blood sugar can be controlled and moderated with regular check-ups with diabetes check machines like a blood glucose monitor.

As a patient, we need to have a goal with a range of 80-130 mg/dl. Daily sugar level checks are absolutely vital when it comes to overall management as your sugar levels can fluctuate any time of the day, depending on your diet, lifestyle, medication, and so on.

Check your blood sugar levels at least two-three times a day or the frequency recommended by your medical practitioner.

Diabetes may be a complicated disease for many patients, but with the right and simplified approach, diabetes becomes manageable.

Along with daily monitoring of your sugar level in this article, we are going to share with you tips on how to simplify your diabetes management. 

Diabetes management is based on four basic principles:

1. Diet
2. Physical Activity like Exercise
3. Taking proper and timely medications
4. Testing your blood sugar levels every day

 

 DIET

Here is how shifting to a better diet helps. It all starts with making better food choices every day.

Instead of thinking about food as either 'good' or 'bad' for your health, think about foods that support your good health. 

• When it comes to a diet for a diabetic patient, balance is the key. Always opt for a diet with a variety of high-quality proteins, starches, fruits, and vegetables (low in potassium if prescribed by your medical practitioner). Maintain less amount of fat and salt in your diet
• Meal timings also play a vital role in your diabetes management, make sure to never skip your meals, and have timely meals at the same time each day. Instead of taking larger chunks during a meal, simplify and break them down into smaller chunks of meals with a 2-4 hour gap
• Consulting a dietician helps since an expert can guide you and help you meet your diet and nutrition needs with the best food choices as per your body need and determine a healthy weight range for you

 Physical Activity

Physical activity can be from the range of activities that emphasizes the movement of the body. Exercise helps with your blood sugar management in an impactful way.

 

• Choose an exercise you are comfortable with, it can range from walking, swimming, dancing, biking, playing sports, cleaning your house, etc. It is recommended to exercise at least three times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes each time. If you have not been active in a while, take it easy. Start with 5 to 10 minutes, then build up from there
• Have a snack to maintain your sugar and insulin levels before exercise. If you haven't eaten for more than an hour or if your blood sugar level is less than 100-120, have fruits, dry fruits, or a light and healthy snack 

 Taking proper and timely medications

If your lifestyle choices are optimal, reaching your blood sugar goals is halfway complete. That is not sufficient in managing diabetes. This is where medication helps.

• Medications range from oral drugs to injectables like insulin and diabetes pills, which help to regulate and maintain your insulin and blood sugar levels. Your medical practitioner would provide you with the right therapy and diagnosis as per your current progress
• Making sure to take timely medicines and Insulin (if prescribed) is an essential aspect. If you are considering an over-the-counter medication or your doctor prescribes a new drug to treat another condition — such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol — ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medication may affect your blood sugar levels
• For patients on Insulin, make sure to get proper guidance and counseling concerning dose, usage, application, and storage

 

 Testing your blood sugar every day

Make sure to know your number when it comes to controlling your diabetes

For a normal person without diabetes, 70–99 mg/dl (3.9–5.5 mmol/L) would work.

Whereas, official ADA recommendation for someone with diabetes is around

80–130 mg/dl (4.4–7.2 mmol/L)

As a goal, it is vital to maintain a normal range of recommended blood sugar levels, keeping regular appointments with your doctor, and getting tests and screenings on time. Tracking your number by keeping a written log or with modern tech blood glucose monitors that come with an inbuilt day and time blood sugar log, can be used to help understand your blood sugar status better.

Along with daily blood sugar check-ups with a blood glucose monitor, once in 3-months know your hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level so you can identify how well you are managing your blood sugar levels over time.

We hope this article has helped you in simplifying your diabetes management goals to a healthier and better you.