Health Tips for Diabetes and for Preventing Heart Disease
Tips for Healthy Living with Diabetes
Understand Diabetes: It is important for people with diabetes to be well informed about the disease. You should know what effects diabetes has on your body, how to recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar, how to monitor your blood sugar levels, and what to do if your blood sugar becomes unstable.
Don't be a Couch Potato: It is important to stay active. Keep physical activity up by choosing hobbies like gardening or dancing that are both fun and physical. Park farther away or chose to take the stairs. Physical activity doesn't have to be strenuous or boring to be beneficial.
In addition to watching your sugar intake, be sure to eat a wide variety of foods. Carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk should be included in a healthy diet. Avoid unhealthy foods and watch portion size. Keep a dieting journal to record what you eat and when.
Avoid drinking, smoking, and drugs: Tobacco adds to the risk of diabetes because it affects small blood vessels. Alcohol can cause blood sugar levels to drop, and both alcohol and drugs will affect your ability to manage your insulin levels and eat carefully. Be smart...
Talk to your Doctor: Always be open and honest with your doctor. Bring in records of your blood sugar levels, daily activities, and meal plans. Ask questions and listen carefully to the answer. If you do not feel comfortable with your doctor, find one that you can talk to!
Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease
1. Know Your Risks: There are uncontrollable risk factors, such as family history of disease, diabetes mellitus, and age that contribute to your risk of heart disease. There are also controllable risk factors, such as smoking, being overweight, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress, and physical inactivity. Know your risks and prevent those you can.
2. Eat a Heart Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fiber and whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and unsaturated fats can lead to a reduced risk of heart disease. When selecting proteins, choose soy protein, poultry, and fish over meat. Watch portion size and be sensible. Snacking is OK as long as the snacks are small and healthy! Plan meal menus ahead of time.
3. Don't be a Couch Potato: Inactivity is one of the four leading causes of heart disease.
Increase your activity level to include walking, aerobics, weight lifting, or even sports. Some…
