The Diabetic Lifestyle CategoriesTo Your Health & Sanity

The Diabetic Lifestyle

Did you know that Diabetes is the primary cause of death for over 69,000 Americans each year? Type 2 Diabetes used to be considered an older person’s disease. Not anymore! More and more of our children and young adults are getting this disease. In the U.S. alone, over 5,000 youth are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes annually. (Information taken from the American Diabetes Association website.)

This statistic is staggering! The truth is that we can maintain or prevent diabetes to live a longer healthier life. We have to make lifestyle changes to accomplish that. Diabetes is not necessarily a death sentence if you take action and keep at it for a lifetime.

One misconception many people have when facing diabetes is that they have to give up all carbohydrates. Not necessarily. Our bodies need carbohydrates, it’s our carb choices that make the difference. Individuals with diabetes need to take control of their health by watching their food, eating more vegetables and lean proteins, and counting their carb intake. The American Diabetes Association recommends that an individual with diabetes should stick to about 45 to 60 grams of carbs a meal. You may think that is a lot, but when you count your fruits, grains, and vegetables, you can easily eat that much. Finding a carb count book that you can use as a reference will be a good starting point. Once you get the idea of carb counting by reading labels and finding your food in the book, you will get comfortable with the process. This also means that you should write down the food you eat so you can keep your carb count under control. Go for foods that are lower in carbohydrates like berries, nuts and seeds, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes. These carb choices will not spike your sugar level as quickly.

Next, physical activity. Accomplishing 150 minutes of physical activity minimum per week will go a long way to keeping blood glucose levels down. Walking 30 minutes a day for five days is one way. Joining a gym and finding an exercise that you enjoy and will stick to is another. Find things that will keep you active. Being physically active with a proper diet will help you keep a healthy control over your diabetes and avoid potential complications later on.

Finally, know your numbers. Get a good meter to check your blood sugar daily. You want to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. The average target range would be 70-130 before meals and less than 180 after meals. Check with your health care provider to see what is good for you. If your sugar is too high, you may need to make changes to your medications. Having low blood sugar counts can be dangerous as well. Again, ask your health care provider what you need to do to keep your levels at a healthy level.

Talking with your health care provider, eating a healthier diet, and physical activity will put you on the right path of maintaining your diabetes so you can live a full life.

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Marie Giammarco is a mid generation Boomer who came of age in suburban New York, 50 miles north of the city. A child whose mom and grandparents were Italian immigrants, her close knit family defined her growing up years. The product of an environment that revolved around food, health, and physical activity, she saw many elderly people age before their time because they lacked these things. She has a passion to help Boomers and Seniors to be active and live a longer, more healthy life.