If you are reading this article, then chances are you already know about the different types of diabetes. Just in case you are new to this disease or are simply looking up some information, in short, there are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. (There are also other forms, such as gestational diabetes, but they are not chronic forms.)
Types Of Diabetes & How To Treat It
The major difference between the two types is that those who suffer from type 1 can’t produce any insulin at all and are insulin dependent, while those who suffer from type 2 do not produce enough insulin and have a hard time removing glucose from their blood. Generally, it is considered that type 1 diabetes is the more severe of the two. In most cases, type 1 diabetes is developed at an early age while type two can be developed throughout your life, especially as you get older. Both of these types require close attention and proper treatment.
While your blood sugar can be affected by many things, what you eat has the biggest effect on your glucose levels. This is exactly why you have to keep a very close eye on your diet and make sure you choose one that works the best for your type of insulin and your body. In the past, the diabetic diet was very strict, but over time doctors realized that each body reacts a different way to the food we eat.
Likewise, that same food affects our sugar levels in different ways. Whilst this is true for different types of food, quantity is generally still the same. Meaning, it does matter what type of carbs and protein you consume and the effect on your body will vary, but the more carbs you eat the higher you glucose levels will go.
Portion Control
The best way to manage your glucose is by choosing the correct portions. One of the best methods to do so is to use the plate method every time you sit down to eat. This is how it works: imagine that your plate has a line straight down the center from top to bottom. The right side of that line should be filled with non-starchy vegetables and the left side should be split half way down the middle horizontally.
On the top left side you have grains and starchy vegetables such as rice or pasta, and on the bottom left side you put your protein. Lastly, it is suggested that you have a cup of milk with your meal and a handful of fruit.
It seems a bit simple, but this really works to make sure you have the right portions of food on your plate, thus allowing you to receive proper nourishment while not overdoing it on the carbohydrates and making your sugar skyrocket. Next time you sit down for a meal, give this a try and apply it as often as you can, you will see the positive effects of portion management in no time.
Weight Management
Your weight plays a big factor in your diabetes, as well. If you are overweight it can be very difficult to keep your sugar levels in check because of the way your body responds to nutrition. Even the slightest changes in weight can help you manage your diabetes, as little as 10 pounds.
Although losing weight can be slightly problematic at an older age, there are many workout routines and exercise methods you can use to help shed a few pounds. The best way to lose weight and to be effective at it is by doing it gradually. You want to stay away from extreme diets or rigorous activities, as they can cause more harm to your body than good. You need to decide which weight loss program you will be sticking to and do it patiently and gradually over time while still maintaining proper nutrition.
Above all, we strongly suggest you speak to your endocrinologist about choosing the right weight loss plan for you. They will work with you and determine what works best for you and what you should stay away from.
Stay Active
Even if you do not need to lose weight and are at your target weight level, general exercise or physical activity can decrease your glucose levels. Besides improving your sugar levels, physical activities can also do a lot for your body to keep it healthy. For example, you can use exercise to reduce stress levels, improve your balance, increase your strength, reduce your blood pressure, and manage cholesterol.
There are many benefits to physical activities, but you also have to be careful with which activates you choose. There are four basic types of exercise: strength training, aerobic exercise, stretching, and balance exercises. If you decide to go with strength training as your primary workout, then using resistance bands is a very good idea, as they reduce the amount of stress you put on your joints and bone structure. If aerobic exercise is a more suited choice for you, then we suggest activities involving water since it will reduce the rough impact this type of workout can have on your body.
Stretch type exercises are a wonderful choice for those who are older, like Yoga or Pilates. They promote flexibility and prevent stiffness, which can be very important as you get older.
Finally, any balance exercise, like walking backward or standing on one foot, will give you major benefits, especially as you get older. No matter which one of these you focus on, you have to remember that these workouts will affect your glucose levels. Unfortunately, there are too many factors to consider when determining just what kind of an effect each exercise will have on your sugar.
Each person is affected in a different way, so the only thing you can do is rely on checking your glucose levels before the workout and after the workout. If you are under 100 when you are about to start the workout then you should eat some fruit or drink a cup of milk, then check your sugar after the workout to determine what effect the workout has on your blood sugar levels.
Living with diabetes can be a challenge, but it is far from impossible. As long as you keep your head up high and follow what your doctor suggests, it can be managed. Keep to the few short tips above and don’t give up.
