Having diabetes can be stressful, unpleasant and affect the quality of your life and relationships, but it doesn’t have to take all the pleasure out of things. Here are some helpful ideas that you can use to improve your life and make sure you control your diabetes, rather than letting your diabetes control you.

If you don’t like the taste of beans but are trying to eat properly now that you’ve been diagnosed with Diabetes, why not try eating Hummus? It is made from creamed Garbanzo Beans and it’s smooth, thick, and delicious! You can eat it on a sandwich instead of mayonnaise, or spread on crackers.

Checking out international foods is an excellent way of finding new recipes that you’ll actually enjoy eating, even though they’re good for you and your Diabetes. I’d highly recommend trying Tabouleh, a Middle Eastern dish made with herbs, onions, lemon juice, and bulgur. It’s extremely good mixed with hummus and served on a pita!

Did you know that it is recommended that diabetics have a diet high in dairy? Studies show that dairy can help keep blood sugar levels from spiking, so having as much low-fat dairy as possible, can be a huge help to a diabetic. Have a tall glass of skim milk at breakfast and some cheese at lunch. It’s healthy and tasty!

For people with diabetes, it is important to check your glucose level after heavy exercise. Exercise can keep consuming glucose for up to 24 hours later, so it’s best to check your glucose level every 45 minutes or so after your workout to see if your glucose level is dropping or remaining stable.

Don’t sweat the small stuff! Being a diabetic is hard, and you’re going to make mistakes. If you eat unhealthily or forget to exercise, don’t beat yourself up over it because sometimes that’s life! Do some deep breathing and forgive yourself for your lapse, then watch what you eat for the rest of the day and move on tomorrow.

Going for a walk, jog, or run with your dog, is an excellent way to exercise and help keep your diabetes under control. It will also help your dog stay at a healthy weight, which can save you both heartache and money on vet bills. You’ll motivate each other to keep going!

You can get a free blood glucose meter from your pharmacy just by asking. They usually have coupons or rebates so that you can get the latest model at no cost, the caveat is that you’ll be buying their brand of blood test strips for the rest of your life.

Feel free to ask your doctor any question about Diabetes you might have, from how it affects your bowel movements to if it can cause sexual dysfunction (yes, it can!) No question should be too embarrassing or uneducated for you to feel comfortable finding the answer to as your doctor is there to help!

If you suffer from diabetes and you are going to exercise, it is important that you check your blood glucose afterward. Strenuous activity can cause your body to burn off blood glucose and if your body does not have enough glucose, you can develop hypoglycemia. If your glucose levels are too low, try eating foods that have carbs to raise your glucose levels.

If you are the primary caregiver of a person with diabetes, you may need support also. You carry a heavy load caring for and making decisions for your loved one as well as monitoring their diet and lifestyle to keep them healthy. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. Your doctor can recommend respite care to give you a break, or even a nurse to help with care. You don’t have to do it alone.

If you can’t stand drinking plain tap water but must to help control your Diabetes, try switching to sparkling water instead. There are many flavored options which have absolutely no sugar added and no carbohydrates at all. Try taking plain sparkling water and add lemon juice as it is known to help keep blood glucose levels stable.

Do not eat meats that are high in fat if you have diabetes. These meats can raise your glucose levels which can cause many serious health problems. Most supermarkets sell lean meats that have the same taste but are healthier for your diabetes. Also, try to stick with low-fat dairy products.

Diabetics should constantly work to avoid dehydration. There are many things to keep in mind to prevent from getting dehydrated. Such things to keep in mind are: avoid beverages filled with caffeine, drink plenty of water when exercising and drink 1 ounce of water for every 2.5 pounds of your body weight. Working to keep yourself hydrated keeps you healthy as a diabetic and as an individual.

Diabetes is never going to be a party, but with the above tips and some effort, you can make sure that it doesn’t keep you from enjoying every aspect of your life. Yes, living with diabetes can be inconvenient at best, but you can and will, find ways to overcome that.

Manage Your Diabetes With This Helpful Advice was originally published on Spring