Whether you have been diagnosed with type 1, 2 or gestational diabetes, it’s important to understand the role nutrition, food and exercise play in the management of diabetes.
A crucial part of managing diabetes is maintaining proper blood sugar levels. Medication, physical activity and balancing the foods you eat are extremely important for disease management. Consider these tips by Garden State Medical Group to help with your diabetes prevention.
1. Eating healthy
- Choose healthy carbohydrates such as whole-grain foods, brown rice, oatmeal, buckwheat and whole-grain cereals and breads.
- Make sure half your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables, and choose whole fruit instead of fruit juices.
- Eat less fat by choosing lean meats, fish and poultry. Take the skin off the chicken before eating.
- Reduce salt intake by using herbs and spices such as garlic, pepper, basil, etc.
2. Lifestyle Changes
- Try skipping a small meal every now and then to maintain steady blood sugar levels.
- Focus on your meal and avoid multitasking. Eating while doing other tasks may lead to overeating.
- Also, do not eat while watching TV. Eat at the kitchen table and enjoy the meal with family members.
3. Exercise
- Exercising will help utilize insulin more effectively.
- Exercising improves blood circulation to all organs, especially the kidneys, brain, heart and eyes, which can be impacted by poor diabetes management.
- Stay hydrated. Drink water before, during and after exercise.
4. Quitting smoking
- Diabetes increases the likelihood for health problems such as heart disease, eye disease, stroke, blood vessel and nerve damage as well as foot problems.
- Persistent smoking increases the chance that these health problems will get worse.
- Smoking makes it harder to exercise.
5. Manage Stress
- Blood sugar levels go up when you’re stressed; this causes confusion and you may not be able to manage your diabetes well.
- You might forget to exercise, eat right or take your medicines.
- Find ways to relieve stress via deep breathing, yoga or hobbies that relax you.
The best primary care physicians in New Jersey recommend getting a complete check up at least once a year. Make sure your check up includes a dilated eye exam, blood pressure check, foot exam and screening for other complications.
Looking for a diabetes care program in New Jersey? Garden State Medical Group is happy to help and offer solutions to your problems.