The primary goal when you have type 1 diabetes is to keep your blood sugar levels under tight control. We bring to you 6 simple steps to follow that will help you deal with diabetes better!
1. Type One Diabetes Friendly Diet
Having type 1 diabetes should not keep you from enjoying a bunch of different delicious foods! Eating a well-balanced diet is the key. Here’s the trick to enjoy eating a little of everything and still keeping yourself satisfied.
Fill half your plate with vegetables that are non-starchy
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Asparagus
- Cucumber
- Squash
- Tomato
- Salad greens
Add a handful of
- Lean meat
- Low-fat or non-fat dairy products
- Fish or poultry
- Nuts
- Sweet potatoes
- Citrus fruits
- Tofu
- Berries beans
Include whole grains such as
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Whole wheat
- Whole oats oatmeal
- Popcorn
- Millet
2. Regular Sweat Session
Regular physical workout helps in feeling so much better; it also helps improve your insulin sensitivity in type 1 diabetes, which in turn stabilizes your normal blood sugar levels. Regular exercise can help reduce stress to a great extent. Aim for at least 4-5 times a week of any form of physical exercise that you enjoy, and work it for about 40-60 minutes per session. Something as simple as a walk for 30 minutes every day can greatly benefit you in managing diabetes. You can choose anything you enjoy, from cycling, yoga, swimming, gym, etc.
3. Beat Stress
If you are stressed, you might tend to overeat, exercise less, or not monitor your type 1diabetes as closely. Stress can affect your blood sugar and make your body less sensitive to insulin. Make sure you find ways to beat your stress and relax – spend time with your loved ones, meditate, exercise, go for a walk, and replace any negative thoughts that bog you down, with positive ones that make you happy.
4. Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking will help you take better control in managing type 1diabetes. It also leads to normal blood sugar levels and keeps you more active, both mentally and physically. Quit now, you are more likely to build serious diabetic complications over time with smoking, like:
- Kidney and heart diseases
- Retinopathy
- Nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy
- Poor blood flow to the legs and feet that might lead to ulcers, infections, and amputation of your toes or feet
5. Give Up Alcohol
If you are on oral diabetes medication or insulin, drinking alcohol can worsen your blood sugar levels dangerously. The state of alcohol and an episode of low blood sugar can cause dizziness, sleepiness and disorientation. Cutting back on alcohol makes you eat better, think better and work better – overall manage Type 1 diabetes better.
6. Type One Diabetes Journal
Maintaining a detailed journal can help you track better what affects your glucose levels and this is one of the best ways to keep in check the things you do to manage your Type 1 diabetes. Here’s what you need to include in this journal –
- Stress
- Illness
- Physical activity
- Food that you eat, especially carbs
- Insulin and other diabetes medication
Visit your nearest Apollo Sugar Clinics for a complete comprehensive diabetes treatment . Get help from our team of experts which also include nutritionists and dieticians, along with our doctors who will suggest a diet plan and medication treatment to suit your type.
