If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you’re probably concerned about looking after your wellness and have no idea where to start. However, according to Jenny De Jesus, RN, CDE, a diabetes educator at the Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Israel Medical Centre in New York, ‘Staying healthy with diabetes is all about making choices’ so what are the 10 wellbeing-boosting choices you should be making?
Firstly, make healthy food choices. Emphasise vegetables, fruit and fibre and choose low-fat and low-sugar foods. Making healthy food choices also means controlling your portion sizes to eat the right amount for your weight control and healthy diet. Tip number 2 is to have more, small meals rather than a few large ones, and plan snacks at regular intervals so you keep your blood sugar on an even keel.
Next, get plenty of aerobic exercise to make your heart work. This is doctor recommended and cycling and jogging are great options. If you can’t exercise aerobically, discuss it with your doctor to see what type of exercise works best for you. Tip number 4 is to check your blood glucose according to the routine you and your doctor planned. This will make you aware of what affects your levels and able to catch problems early. Further, it may seem obvious but take your medication as prescribed and don’t differ from the doses and frequency prescribed for you.
Tip number 6 is to educate yourself as much as possible, and tip number 7 is to educate family and friends. A third of people keep their diabetes a secret from the people in their lives, but put themselves in danger by missing insulin injections or delaying blood sugar testing to avoid drawing attention to themselves. However, if your loved ones know how to recognise the signs of dangerously high or low blood glucose levels, a potential tragedy may be avoided.
The final three tips begin with getting help for depression, which often goes hand in hand with diabetes. Also, prevent sores on the feet, which can lead to amputation, by inspecting your feet regularly for blisters, cuts, and sores. If you experience signs of either of these problems, consult your doctor. Finally, wear a medical alert bracelet or, at the very least, carry an identification card that tells people you have type 2 diabetes. You never know when you’ll need these to speak for you if you can’t speak for yourself.
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