5 Important Tips for Diabetics
Controlling your diabetes is an important step toward maintaining your health. If you are able to keep your blood sugar levels in check, then you can stop diabetes complications from arising. Nerve, kidney and heart damage can result from diabetes. However, you have the power to prevent this. These five tips can help you maintain your blood sugar levels.
1. Exercise
Diabetics are always encouraged to exercise more. It is important to lose weight and maintain normal blood sugar levels. In addition, exercise can help you by making your body more sensitive to insulin. This results in better control of your blood sugars levels. Exercise can also reduce nerve pain. You should always consult a doctor before starting an exercise plan, and you should discuss the best types of activities to fit your needs and abilities.
2. Portion Control
You should always consider portion control while planning your meals. Eating healthy foods in excess can lead to weight gain and make controlling your blood sugar levels more difficult. You may want to switch to smaller meals 3 times a day and add 3 nutritious snacks throughout the day. A regular schedule for meals is vital to keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Portion control will help you control your diabetes.
3. Increase Fiber
Fiber is an important part of a diabetic's diet, so you should include 25 to 30 grams a day. The best sources of fiber are natural products. Eating more fruits and vegetables is an easy way to increase fiber in your diet. Also, beans and whole grain products have it. Diabetics can benefit from adding fiber because it can help regulate blood sugar levels by decreasing the rate of sugar assimilation. Fiber is also needed for better digestion.
4. Balance Carbohydrates, Protein and Fats
A diabetic needs to eat meals with a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats. Many people mistakenly try to cut out all carbohydrates from their diets. This is not recommended. You should not switch to a diet with only protein. This can actually hurt you and make your blood sugar levels more difficult to control by increasing the risk of insulin resistance. You should not complete eliminate carbohydrates from your meal. Instead, diabetics need to pick whole grain products to get their carbs and eat them with proteins. In addition, you want to keep portion control in mind and try to eat 3 ounces of protein at a meal.
5. Eat Healthy Fats
Diabetics need to eat healthy fats to maintain their health. Since diabetes has been linked to heart problems, you should avoid saturated fats. In addition, trans fats should not be a part of your meals. However, you should not eliminate all fats from your diet. A healthy meal plan should include unsaturated fats like olive oil. Remember, if it is solid at room temperature, then it is probably a saturated fat. Diabetics can have olive or canola oils. In addition, other plant oils can be used. You should not have butter, shortening or margarine.
