As time goes on you will begin to understand more about your condition and develop a routine, which should make shopping, and mealtimes easier to adapt to.
Labelling on food these days is a big help for many people as all of the nutritional information is there for you to see. Although it is important to remember that the 'serving' size specified on the label is often smaller than the portion you would serve yourself.
All of a sudden you will find sugar hidden everywhere. In tomato ketchup, sauces and pickles for instance. A way to combat this, when cooking something like a pasta dish where you would normally use a bought sauce, is to use a smaller amount of sauce than you normally would and add vegetables for extra flavour. Alternatively you could make your own sauces so you can control the nutritional values. A tomato based sauce is easier than you might think, simply add chopped plum tomatoes to onions, celery and garlic that have been lightly fried in a little olive oil, and then add some basil and seasoning.
It is always advisable to consult your doctor if you are about to change your diet and if you are diabetic any kind of crash diet should never be embarked upon. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a dietician who can help you. As a general rule you should try to get 50 -60% of your calories from carbohydrates, 12-20% from protein and 30 % from fat. Diabetics are more at risk from heart disease and so it is very important to keep your cholesterol levels low. It is not just sugar you have to be aware of, you also need to cut back on the amount of fried food and creamy sauces. It is also important to space your meals should be spaced evenly throughout the day to keep your blood glucose levels well balanced.
Many diabetics find that they need to lose weight. Your doctor may well advise that this is essential to control your condition, and for some types (but not all) of diabetes, it can reduce the need for medication. Your doctor will be able to advise the right type of weight reducing diet to follow. It will be very important to have the right balance of diet, and faddy diets are to be avoided as they are unlikely to provide the balance you need. Unfortunately, losing weight quickly by following a Cabbage Soup Diet is not for you! Look at weight loss as a long term and gradual programme, and aim to lose no more than 1-1.5 pounds per week. Your doctor will probably prescribe a calorie controlled diet for you to follow, and it is important that any weight loss is closely monitored by your doctor to ensure you remain healthy and energetic.
Exercise
Exercising along with a good diet can help someone with diabetes keep their condition under control as well as generally benefiting their overall health.
Exercise improves your body's response to insulin and is beneficial in controlling blood glucose levels.
It is important to get advise from your doctor before beginning an exercise program, as everybody has different capabilities and reacts differently to diabetes. Under any circumstances it is best to introduce yourself to exercise gently and regularly as opposed to doing vigorous exercise sporadically. Irregular strenuous activity can not only make you more likely to suffer injury but also, according to new studies, less likely to help you achieve and maintain weight loss.
People who take insulin are particularly at risk of dangerously low blood glucose levels if they start a vigorous form of exercise.
As a general rule a diabetic who is exercising should take a high sugar drink or snack with them, it is also a good idea to have some visible form of identification with them, such as a bracelet in case they become ill and need assistance from a stranger. Some diabetes sufferers can experience a loss of sensitivity in their feet and so may find swimming to be a good activity to take up to increase your fitness levels.
Please remember though that this information is not intended to provide any medical information and you should always consult your doctor before beginning any new eating plan or exercise programme.
