Recommended Lifestyle Changes for People with Diabetes

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The doctor just told you that you have diabetes.

What now?

Diabetes happens when your pancreas is no longer capable of producing insulin or your body’s cells do not respond to insulin anymore. The result is high blood glucose (blood sugar), which can result to frequent urination, blurred vision, weight gain, intense thirst or hunger, unhealable cuts and bruises, numbness in hands and feet, and sexual dysfunction (in males).

Severe form of diabetes can negatively affect your quality of life. However, it doesn’t have to make daily living difficult or painful. With a few lifestyle changes, you can effectively manage this metabolic disorder and lead a normal life.

Increase your physical activity

We are not suggesting that you should immediately get a gym membership. Small daily improvements in your physical activity are a good start. Walking for at least 30 minutes every morning, sweeping and vacuuming the floor, doing the garden, and the like can burn calories and help lower your blood sugar.

Manage your weight

When was the last time you step on a weighing scale? All this time, you might be blaming your weight gain on your food craving and food choices, while the real culprit was left unchecked. High blood glucose can lead to unexplainable weight gain, so eliminate the foods that feed it. This may mean decreasing your portion sizes and giving up soda pops, chocolates, and in-between-meal snacks.

Make healthier food choices

Your food choices matter a lot when you have diabetes. So, whether you are dining at home or at a restaurant, make a conscious effort to choose healthy foods.

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Here are a few of those power foods that will give you the vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants you need to manage the disease: apples, asparagus, avocados, beans, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, fish, flaxseed, garlic, kale, melon, nuts, oats, quinoa, raspberries, red grapefruit, red onions, red peppers, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes and yogurt.

Hydrate more often

Drinking water is important for everyone, but even more so for diabetics. This is because high blood glucose can build up in the bloodstream and result to excess sugar in the kidney. Staying hydrated helps prevent this complication buy replenishing the water lost in the processing of glucose in the body and help the kidney operate normally.

Take your insulin

While this may not be necessary in mild cases of diabetes, insulin injection is needed if your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin anymore. Consult with your doctor to know which type of insulin is best for you.

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