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Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and managing it soon after diagnosis (or before) is very important to keep the condition under control. This condition is an impairment in the way the body regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a fuel. Long term defection in this process can actually lead to accumulation of too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream, which results in high blood sugar levels.
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Signs of type 2-diabetes do not develop overnight. It takes time for them to show up. In fact, you can be living with type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Therefore, we bring to you the symptoms that can tell you about this condition and help you manage it on time. Some of the warning symptoms of type 2-diabetes are — increased thirst, frequent urge to urination, feeling hungry all the time, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, frequent infections and unexplained weight loss.
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Ignoring the common symptoms of diabetes is never an option. According to the experts, type 2-diabetes may not seem to have any significant short-term consequences, but over time, elevated glucose levels in the blood can severely damage your nervous system, blood vessels, eyes, heart, and kidneys, etc.
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Food plays a very important part in managing type 2-diabetes. According to the experts, optimising the mealtime (when you are eating and what you are eating both are important), making informed food choices (keep your diet clean and healthy), and controlling portion plays huge role in blood glucose management.
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Alcohol has no good effects on the body, specially when it comes to managing a progressive disease like type 2-diabetes. Cut down on your alcohol consumption to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
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Avoid drinks with lots of added sugars and carbohydrates. Like what? soda, cold drinks, packed fruit juices (which contains sugar), etc. should not be taken when trying to manage type 2-diabetes.
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Packaged foods are in these days, and all thanks to the tiring daily schedule that we all follow. However, eating packed foods can be bad for the health, specially for someone who has just been diagnosed with type 2-diabetes. Avoid all types of refined and processed foods in your daily diet.
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What do one mean when they say control your portion? it is a term which means managing the amount of food intake. If you are new to the type 2-diabetes world, you got to cut down your meal portion. How? Make sure to have everything on your plate but in small quantity. Like, a plate with fresh (seasonal) veggies or green salad, ⅓ portion of your complex carbohydrates and the other ⅓ portion with a protein source (you can choose from a wide range of variety such as eggs,fish, chicken, tofu, paneer, etc.)
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Include more of good fats or healthy fats to your daily diet to balance the sugar levels in the blood and help you curb sugar cravings. Some of the good sources of healthy fats are — avocados, dark chocolate, whole eggs, fatty fish, nuts (almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and numerous others), chia seeds, full fat yoghurt, etc.
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Apart from consumption of proper diet and managing the food choices, one who has just being diagnosed with type 2-diabetes should also know that exercising is very important to keep your health on the perfect track. The American Diabetes Association recommends spending 30 minutes of your day in performing aerobic activities such as walking on most days, with the addition of resistance training (pushing, pulling, lifting) two or three times a week.
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Another, and the most important one is to keep a close check of your blood glucose levels. Regular check-ups are an important part of diabetes care. When testing is performed on a regular basis, it helps you assess how well you are balancing your insulin therapy, meal planning, and exercise to manage diabetes. Disclaimer: We suggest you consult a doctor or a physician before making any changes to your daily diet.
