10 Tips for Better Diabetic Blood Control
When should diabetics check their blood sugar? How can you better control your diabetes? FreedoMed, leading diabetic mail-order distributor, offers these ten tips on how to control your diabetes:
- Diabetic Blood Control - diabetics should check their blood sugar at least twice (preferably three times) a day - before meals for better diabetic blood control. Check your blood sugar before breakfast, lunch, dinner or before your evening snack (about 9 pm). Bring these numbers to your doctor.
- Take Your Medication Correctly - read and following directions, watch expiration dates, pay attention to any warning labels. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions on how your prescriptions will affect your diabetic blood control.
- Read Food Labels - the first thing to look at is SERVING SIZE. Then look at the carbohydrate per serving. Look also at the fat and calories, if appropriate. Do NOT look at the grams of sugar!
- Eat at Regular Times - try to stay within 1 hour each day of the usual meal times. Eating irregularly can cause problems with diabetic blood control.
- Count Your Carbs - learn the carbohydrate count of foods in the portions you commonly use. Use measuring cups for cereals, pasta, rice, soups and beans. Count out a serving of crackers, pretzels, chips and nuts. Consider how carbohydrates break down in your system, not just the quantity of carbs in your diet.
- Make Smart Dining Out Selections - make better selections when dining out. Eat smaller portions, ask for the food to be prepared in wine, not oil, and order salad dressing on the side, dipping the fork in the dressing. Avoid "sugar free" desserts and have a bite of a regular dessert.
- Exercise - with your doctor's approval, do some type of daily walking, biking, swimming, dancing or aerobics. The best time to exercise is generally about 30-60 minutes AFTER breakfast or dinner.
- Daily Foot Examinations - do this with a mirror after you bathe. Always wear proper fitting shoes. Do not go barefoot or wear sandals.
- Take Care of Your Heart - don't forget about your heart! People with diabetes must maintain good body weight, exercise and decrease the saturated fats in their diet.
- Know your A1c Hemoglobin Number - this is the measurement of blood sugar over the past three months which tells the degree of diabetic blood control you have.
The information does not replace medical advice and care from one's doctor or health care provider about diabetic problems or diabetes-related symptoms that may require medical attention. If you have any questions about 10 Tips for Better Diabetic Blood Control or concerns, please check with your doctor for more information on how to control diabetes.
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