Living with Diabetes

Do you know you can lead a successful life while living with diabetes? This page provides information on diabetes and how diet and exercises can help you to lead a successful life even if you are diabetic.

So, what is diabetes? This is a condition that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or when the body is not able to effectively use the insulin it produces.

Raised blood sugar, or Hyperglycaemia is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes. Over time this leads to serious damage to the nerves and blood vessels among other body systems.

Types of Diabetes

These include Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

• Type 1 Diabetes
  

This is at times referred to as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes.  This occurs when the body defense system attacks the cells that produce insulin. Individuals with this Type produce little or no insulin at all.

This condition mostly affects children and young adults, but can also affect other ages. People with this condition require a daily insulin injection so as to control the levels of glucose in the blood.

• Type 2 Diabetes
  

This is also referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes. This problem can be developed by people of all ages. However, it is mostly prevalent in people of age 45 and above, who are overweight.

Individuals with this condition can control their glucose by oral medication, watching their diet, having daily exercise and possibly insulin. They therefore do not need insulin injections.

Diet for People Living with Diabetes

Living with diabetes requires you to change your eating habits. This means that you must abandon certain foods while eating others often.  

The following are the recommended foods for diabetic person:

• Foods to Eat Most

One or more of these foods should be used as a basis for your daily meals;

Grains, wholegrain, fresh fruits (non-sweet), vegetables, cereals, rice, legumes, noodles, lentils, barley and bread.

A point you should note is that many preservatives and sauces that are usually added to these foods are high in sugar, salt or fats. These should be avoided.

• Foods to Eat Moderately

These are protein rich foods. Have small servings of these foods. They include eggs, low fat yoghurt, nuts, low fat milk, lean meat, seafood, skinless chicken, and low fat cheese.

• Eat Least of these Foods

These include sugars, fats, salt and alcohol.

Foods in this group include processed meat, processed and preserved foods, sweets, soft drinks, biscuits, creams, butters, coconut milk, ghee, oils, and pastries.

Safe Exercises for Diabetes

A routine of daily exercise is very important to people living with diabetes. Physical activities will improve your management of this condition.

Start with planning some regular exercises that you can work out. Some of these include jogging, walking and biking. You can also include other aerobic exercises which you can comfortably work out.

Physical activity will help you;

• Decrease insulin resistance. This enhances blood glucose control

• Maintain a better blood glucose control

• Attain and maintain healthy weight

• Reduce stress and improve your overall health and wellness

In case you have unusual feeling during or after exercise, consult your doctor concerning these feelings.

From Living with Diabetes to Homepage

Read more on diabetes at http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes