It can be difficult dealing with a disease like diabetes, but there’s no reason to lose hope. You can go on living a happy, fulfilling life even if you have this condition. Even while you’re watching what you eat and checking your blood sugar, there are things you can do to make things easier on yourself. Here are some tips for making life with diabetes more pleasant.

Thintini buns are available at many grocery stores nation-wide and are a tasty alternative to carbohydrate-heavy normal hamburger buns. These thinner breads are easier to eat as they’re smaller than their traditional counterparts and they will provide far less carbohydrates to a diabetic.

Diabetic feet are more prone to infection than the average person’s, so check them when you shower for any cuts or bruising. One of the first symptoms of Diabetes that I had was a red speckling on the top of my feet which indicated blood pressure problems, but I didn’t notice as I always wore socks and didn’t have my glasses on in the bathroom. If you already have Diabetes, keep a watchful eye on those tootsies.

Find a diabetic friend to support you through your journey with diabetes. You’ll be able to swap ideas, share recipes and just have a shoulder to cry on when things get stressful. You can even give them a call when you’re having a craving and they’ll talk you through it! Friends can keep you sane and that’s especially true, if they’re going through the same hardship that you are.

A dip in blood sugar is NOT an excuse to raid your fridge for goodies. Pick up some glucose tablets or small candies and take ONE OR TWO until your blood sugar is back in line. Eating a slice of cake will just make your blood sugar skyrocket, leading to a need for medication and weight gain.

Make your life easier and more organized by doing everything the same way every time. For example, keep your insulin and meter in one place each night so it is easier found in the morning. When testing, keep track of it as a routine so that you don’t forget any steps. Also, try to jot down your numbers.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, I am sure you know how to check your blood sugar. You should check it before meals and at bedtime. This insures that if there is a sudden change in your blood sugar levels, you know in advance to address the situation in a timely fashion lest an emergency arise.

If you absolutely must indulge in something sweet, have a glass of decaffeinated coffee with it. This will help lower the spike in blood sugar you get after eating, potentially stopping the need for you to inject more insulin. It must be decaf, though, as caffeine can have other, unwanted side effects.

Use resources like the internet to find diabetic recipes. Many diabetics get frustrated because they cannot find recipes for meals that are diabetic friendly. There are many substitutions to foods that taste just as good as the original including sugar-free chocolates, healthy kinds of pasta, sugar-free ice creams and cakes.

To better control your blood sugars, lose any excess weight. If you’re suffering from type 2 diabetes even a small decrease in weight can significantly improve your condition. Try eating more non-processed foods and reducing your portion sizes. You can also try getting a moderate amount of aerobic exercises. All these things will help you manage your diabetes as you lose weight.

Eat a well-balanced diet. Since there is no official diabetes diet, it’s important that you handle your condition by eating a healthy diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and lean meats and low in fat, sugar and simple carbohydrates. If you eat everything in moderation and are controlling your diabetes through medication, you should have fairly stable blood glucose levels.

To assist your body in digesting your good properly, be sure to chew your food slowly. When you chew your food, it’s covered in enzymes that help your body to process what you eat. Doing this will make sure your body is able to take equal advantage of all the nutrients you consume, keeping your glucose levels stable.

Urine ketone tests are not the only ones you should use to detect your blood sugar levels. This method is not very accurate, and high levels of ketones only indicate that blood glucose levels are something higher than 200mg a deciliter. Rather, you should implement more accurate methods of testing, like testing strips and finger strips.

These ideas will help you build a better, more satisfying life, despite the challenges presented by living with diabetes. This disease is completely treatable, and you can do more than just cope with it. You can deal with diabetes and all its effects and still go live life to the full.

Tips And Tricks For Dealing With Diabetes was originally published on Spring