Compared to type 1 diabetes, which is genetic and often diagnosed early, type 2 can occur later in life, whether it’s hereditary or not, due to high blood sugar levels. While type 2 diabetes is milder than type 1, it is still a serious health concern that requires a treatment plan to maintain one’s well-being. The good news is that, while type 2 diabetes may never go away, there are ways where you can manage to live with the disease and ensure it doesn’t affect your life. The main way to do this is to maintain your blood sugar levels with a suitable lifestyle. Read on to find out the top ways to lower your blood sugar levels.
Eat a Healthy Assortment of Foods
A healthy diet is a major component of managing the disease. It’s vital to ensure your diet consists of food that doesn’t raise your blood sugar too high or too quickly, which is why you must first cut down on carbs and drink plenty of water. Replace carbs with a healthy mix of foods such as vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, high fiber foods, melon, berries, healthy fats, fatty fish like salmon, and protein like eggs, lean meats, cottage cheese, and greek yogurt. These foods all assist in keeping your blood sugar levels low.
Steer Clear Of Junk Food
Junk food, processed food, high carb diets, and refined sugars are all poor choices for a diabetic’s diet. It’s best to avoid sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages, full-fat dairy foods, and high-fat meats. These kinds of food contain saturated fat, trans fat, and added sugars that don’t support blood sugar management. It is a good idea to choose low-glycemic-index foods as this will help you understand the rate at which your blood sugar levels rise based on the food you ingest.
Keep Being Active
Engaging in fair amounts of physical activity is paramount if you suffer from diabetes because when you are active, your body uses sugar for energy. This makes your body more sensitive to insulin, thus controlling your blood sugar levels. It’s important, however, to understand how much exercise your body can handle. Start with a daily walk or cycling around your neighborhood to prepare your body.
Another option is to enroll in a fitness class. Before taking an exercise class, inform your instructor or personal trainer of your condition so that they can modify the workouts. There are specific exercises that are suitable for diabetics as seen on DiaBettr.com, and remember that it is recommended by professionals to do your research before trying any new workout. Make sure you understand what different types of movement do for your body and how you can maintain your health and lower your blood sugar by providing your muscles with more glucose.
Manage Stress and Get Enough Sleep
Managing stress and getting enough sleep is another integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle but for someone with diabetes, stress makes it more difficult for you to control your diabetes as it raises your heart rate and blood sugar. Getting enough sleep can help with stress management and boost your energy.
Schedule Checkups With Your Doctor
Diabetes requires someone to live with the condition, which means that you have to make certain lifestyle changes part of your life. Scheduling regular checkups with your doctor can help you manage your diabetes, and ensure that what you’re doing is effective. They can also help you find the best ways to live a fulfilling life without feeling like your condition is holding you back.
Know Your A1c
A1c is the hemoglobin test, which is a simple blood test that your doctor conducts to measure your blood sugar levels. It is crucial for someone with diabetes to know their A1c to help them manage their diabetes and maintain their health. While this test is typically recommended every 1 or 2 years to catch symptoms, if you have diabetes, it might be a good idea to check your blood sugar every 3 months.
A lot of the healthy lifestyle changes one must make if they suffer from this disease are no different than what the average person should do to maintain their health. For instance, drinking more water is something everyone should do. However, it is important to understand the risks of not lowering your blood sugar as a diabetic because the repercussions of neglecting your health are far more detrimental. If you don’t drink enough water, the dehydration will cause glucose to become more concentrated. As a result, your blood sugar levels will increase, and this can have a severe and dangerous impact if you have diabetes.
Your body would not produce enough insulin later in life if you suffer from type 2 diabetes, which is why you have to assist your body as it produces energy. Lowering your blood sugar levels is the best way to maintain your health, and allow yourself to live a full life.