As a type 2 diabetic, you need to know how to keep yourself healthy. There are many different things you should do to keep your blood sugar in check. Your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering drugs and blood pressure medications. If those are not enough, they might also recommend low-dose aspirin. Previously, insulin therapy was a last resort, but it is now an option if lifestyle changes and medications do not control the disease.
One way to keep blood sugar levels down is to eat less of highly processed foods and high-fat foods. While saturated fat is bad for your health, unsaturated fats are good for your heart. Healthy fats come from avocado, nuts, olive oil, and oils made from nuts. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you lose weight without increasing blood sugar levels. However, you should also limit sugar-sweetened drinks.
A balanced diet is vital for type 2 diabetics. It does not mean that you have to eliminate your favorite foods, and you do not need to live on starvation-level diets. However, you should be cautious with your portions – especially if you are overweight. Try eating a well-balanced meal early in the day and arrive at the party with a full stomach. Remember to limit sugary snacks and desserts to small amounts. Your health care team will help you develop a meal plan that will work best for you. The meal plan will also contain guidelines on how to prepare your meals, as well as between-meal snacks.
Blood sugar testing is essential for type 2 diabetics because they have a difficult time detecting their symptoms. They may take months to develop and go undetected. When they do, they must check their blood sugar regularly to prevent complications from developing. If the level stays high for more than 24 hours, then the person has a severe case of hypoglycemia. Another sign that blood sugar is high is severe pain in the body.
