New Year New You: Good Diabetes Practices for 2019

2019 is new and fresh. What better way to start the new year than by implementing some tips that will make this your year!

Take some time for self-care:

Stress in your daily life and diabetes don’t go well together. Too much stress can elevate blood sugar levels. To combat stress, spend more time focused on you! Watch your favourite show on Netflix, practice some yoga, pick up a good book or even go for a walk to clear your head. Taking the time to focus on your own well-bring will benefit you both mentally and physically.

Keep moving:

Exercise is an important factor in managing Type 2 diabetes in particular. Once you start exercising more, you will find yourself sleeping better, relaxing easier, and focusing more. It is also good for aiding weight management, which can impact your diabetes. A good goal to establish is to try and fit in 30 minutes of exercise everyday. Being active shouldn’t be a chore, so make it fun! Go for a 30-minute walk with your dog or go for a few laps in a pool. Try to find a physical activity that feels like fun or play. The more you keep your body moving, the better you will feel!

Stay informed:

Knowledge is key when it come to diabetes. The more you know about diabetes the easier it will become to manage your condition. Whether you are catching up on statistics, reading diabetes blogs, or reading profile articles about people just like you, the more knowledge you have the more you’re equipped to keep yourself safe and healthy.

Join a community:

By joining a community, you are instantly surrounded by people who are familiar with the struggles that you are facing. Living with diabetes is not an easy road and through interacting and communicating with people who know how you feel, you will gain a sense of relief. These communities may be found through friends and family, local support groups, or online, but where ever you find them, knowing you’re not alone can make a huge difference in living with diabetes.

Don’t skip meals:

Life can be busy! Some people would never dream of missing a meal, but other people easily skip meals all the time. Whether you are too busy to have breakfast in the morning, or are caught up with work at lunch, these important meals are often skipped. When you skips meals, you are more likely to face inconsistent blood sugars and eat an even bigger meal when you get the chance. It is important to put yourself on a meal schedule, with correct portion sizes, and to stick to it!

Try replacing some carbs with good fats:

A diet high in carbs can be extremely unhealthy when you have diabetes. Carbs spike your blood sugar. Nuts, avocados, olive oil and canola oil are all considered monosaturated fats. They can help lower your blood sugar, but just make sure you don’t eat huge portions, so you don’t take in too many calories. Try adding nuts and avocado to your salads and seek out salad dressings that use olive or canola oil. Canola oil also has heart healthy omega 3-fatty acids.

Drink Smart:

Watch out for alcohol, sugars, and calories that are all too tempting to drink! Instead opt for water, or if that doesn’t quench your carbonated craving try a flavoured sparkling water, just double check that it’s unsweetened. Even sipping no-calorie tea and coffee is a great alternative to caffeinated pop. If you do decide to have a pop or alcoholic beverage, be sure to factor in what you’re eating at the time too.

Make your own lunch:

Eating out for lunch can be convenient and can provide a quick fix to a hungry stomach. However, when you eat out, often you don’t know with what and how your food was prepared. While at home you may opt to cook with olive oil rather than butter, but restaurants often don’t take these things into account. When you bring a lunch from home, you can control the way the food was cooked, the portion size and the nutritional value of what you are eating. Bringing a lunch from home is the more economical and nutritional option.

Following these tips and tricks during the new year will ensure that you stay, mentally and physically fit and happy!