Health Tips

HELPFUL DIABETES EDUCATION HINTS

v  Did you know that high blood glucose levels increase your risk for having a heart attack and stroke?  The ADA recommends keeping your A1C level less than 7.0%.  This equals an average of 154 mg/dL.

v  Stay physically active.  Physical activity is good for everyone, especially if you have diabetes. Physical activity can lower blood glucose levels in addition to the other wonderful things it does for us such as; increase our metabolism, decrease stress, lower blood pressure, and improve our balance.  The goal is to do some kind of physical activity each and every day. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise.  Begin slowly and increase your physical activity each day. 

v  Eat brown.  Brown bread, brown rice and whole wheat pasta have more fiber, and are slower to digest.  This slows how quickly food enters your blood stream.

v  Eat fruits with the peel, instead of those without.  Avoid juices.

v  Use the plate method to guide your portion sizes.  Half your plate should be salad and cooked vegetables.  ¼ should be meat, fish or chicken, and ¼ should be grains such as rice, beans, pasta, potatoes or corn.

v  Test your blood glucose levels at least 2 to 3 times a day.  Write down the results and share them with your doctor at each visit.

v  Blood Glucose levels right before your meal should be less than 130 mg/dl, and two hours after meals should be less than 180 mg/dl.  Ideally, the glucose rise after your meal, two hours after you eat should not be more than 50 mg/dl higher.

v  Wear some kind of diabetes identification.  Your emergency care providers need to know you have diabetes if you require emergency care and are unable to tell them yourself. 

v  If you have a fever, are ill, or have high blood glucose levels over 250mg/dl for more than two days, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.  If you're sick, test your blood sugar more often.

v  When you visit your doctor, tell him/her about ALL the medicines you take, even the over the counter ones.  It is important that you keep a record of these medications on your at all times.  It is even more important for you to know your diabetes medicines.

v  Get a small notebook, and take it with you to all your doctor visits.  Write your questions for the doctor, and ask about anything you don't understand.

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