I am sure I
don’t have to go into great detail on the health risks associated with unmanaged
diabetes. Increased risk for
cardiovascular disease, circulatory problems, increased risk for dementia and
significantly higher risks for many cancers.
The health concerns to not stop at a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, they are
just beginning if you do not take the necessary steps to improve your
health. The following are my tips for
living healthy as a diabetic.
Eat regular meals and snacks – Nothing will balance your blood
sugars faster than eating healthy foods on a established schedule.
Check your blood sugar regularly – Most of the clients I work with,
who start with poorly managed diabetes; do not check their blood sugar levels
regularly. This allows you to see how
your medications and diet are impacting your blood sugar levels.
Focus on Low Glycemic carbohydrates – The glycemic index is a rating at
how quickly a carbohydrate is released into the blood stream. The higher the
rating the faster the release. High glycemic foods should not be consumed by
anyone with diabetes. Learning to
incorporate low glycemic foods will help you improve your blood sugar levels
very quickly. (You can find glycemic
index lists all over the internet)
Avoid processed juice - (all grocery store juice is
processed), soda (even diet!!) and alcohol.
All three of these items will not allow for ideal blood sugar levels or
promote health. If you like juice, the only juice I recommend for a diabetic is
juice they make themselves (using a good quality juicer). This type of juice still has fibre, enzymes
and nutrients intact.
Plan your weekly meals and snacks – Your chances of eating healthy
significantly increase when you have a plan!
My company Nutrinity Health Services has many affordable diabetic meal
plans.
Get enough sleep – Sleep deprivation will not
encourage ideal blood sugar levels. Set
an appropriate time to retire at night and rise in the morning. If you have irregular sleep patterns there is
a good chance your sugars are irregular as well.
Exercise daily – This does not mean you have to lift
weights for an hour a day, but it does mean if you want to reduce the chances
of this disease progressing, you must find time every single day to be
physically active. Go for a walk, learn
to jog, do yoga, and go to the YMCA for a swim.
Finding something you enjoy will allow daily exercise to quickly become
routine.
Practice good foot care – As the disease progresses your risk
for foot related issues increases as well. I highly recommend you work with a
foot specialist on a regular basis. Tony
Young from the Orillia Foot Clinic is a great practitioner trained in diabetic
foot care. www.ofcwc.com
Take your medications as prescribed – Your physician knows what
medications are best for you. When you
are prescribed medication it is essential that you create a routine to taking
your medication consistently and on time.
This will also help you to manage your diabetes quickly.
Track your blood sugar – Keeping a diary of foods and blood
sugar will allow you to identify what is working and what may not be. It is
also a valuable tool for your physician as it allows them to more easily adjust
your medications based on your recorded blood sugar levels.
These are
only a few solutions I educate my diabetic clients about throughout the process
of learning how to effectively manage their blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a very serious disease with rates
on the rise. If you are not managing
your blood sugar levels, eating a healthy diet, taking your medications as your
physician has recommended and exercising daily; then it’s time to stop and make
a plan. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your diabetes, or need help with your
diet, then I highly recommend you consider working with someone who will help
you address these concerns. Your long
term health and quality of life depend on it.
You can learn more about my diabetic services on my website. Feel free to submit any questions you have!
Alisa Herriman RNCP ROHP
CPCC
Alisa Herriman is a Registered Nutritionist, Certified
Professional Cancer Coach and mom of 4 children. Alisa is a fully insured
practitioner who has spent the last 9 years working with individuals and
groups. She offers several courses through Georgian College including both
diabetes and cancer education programs for health care professionals. Alisa is also a professor at Edison Institute
of Nutrition. She provides corporate
wellness services for many local employers. You can learn more about Alisa at www.AlisaHerriman.com email: nutrinityhealth@hotmail.com
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