Remember when you first found out you had diabetes and learned the basics of “Living with Diabetes” and taking care of yourself? Then these following points probably are familiar to you.
- Make and eat healthy food.
- Be active most days.
- Test your blood sugar often.
- Take medicines as prescribed, even if you feel good.
- Learn ways to manage stress.
- Cope with the emotional side of diabetes.
- Go to checkups.
Here’s our short list of tips to help to help you expand on these points – you’re probably familiar with many, but some may be new.
Living with Diabetes: Eat Well
Living here in South Florida there are no shortages of fine dining on every corner. Just driving down Atlantic Ave in Delray will give you the opportunity to splurge on so many meals. The great news is there are numerous healthy choices on most menus and some restaurants even cater to healthy eating.
- Take the time to cook. You’re not saving time by sitting in the drive-thru anyway.
- Look online for budget-friendly, easy-to-make recipes. Many are so good you’ll want to eat right out of the pan.
- Write down or take photos of all your meals and snacks. This one trick makes you much more aware of everything you eat and helps you stay in control.
- You can’t go wrong with veggies. Take a free online cooking class to learn the secrets of making them taste delicious.
- Skip “diabetic” foods. They often cost more than regular food, and don’t taste very good.
- Make the same food for you and your family. Healthy eating for everyone!
- Try Meatless Monday (or any day of the week). Beans and lentils are cheap, tasty, and really good for you.
- Make family favorites with a twist: substitute veggies for some of the rice or pasta, or blend veggies until smooth and add to sauces.
Be Active
Another plus for living in the Palm Beaches and south Florida in general is the weather. Warm weather year round and ample daylight most times of the year affords us with plenty of time to exercise.
- Exercise is still one of the best tools for managing diabetes, and it’s free!
- Break a sweat regularly, but also find little ways to be active throughout the day, like climbing stairs and walking.
- Work out with a friend. You’re more likely to stick with it because you won’t want to let them down.
- Try an activity tracker (many apps are free). It’s very motivating to watch your steps add up.
- Check out all the online workout videos. There’s something for everyone, at every level of fitness.
Living with Diabetes: Manage Stress
- Try meditation or yoga to slow down and relax. Choose from thousands of free videos online to get started.
- Get moving! Taking a walk can help you unwind, and the effect can last for hours.
- Call or make plans to get together with a friend who understands you.
Do Things You Can Keep Doing
- For new habits, start small. Little successes make it easier to take on bigger goals.
- Make goals specific. Instead of “I’m going to get in shape,” think “I’m going to walk after dinner on weekdays.”
- Make good choices easier: Stick to just one or two healthy breakfast options; bring your lunch instead of buying; leave the dog’s leash by the door.
Living with Diabetes: Keep Learning
Diabetes self-management education and support services can help you learn skills to manage diabetes when you’re first diagnosed, and at these other key times as well:
- During checkups with your doctor.
- When a new event or health problem affects how you take care of yourself.
- When any other big life event, like changing your job or home, affects your diabetes care.
Ask your doctor to recommend a diabetes educator, or search the American Diabetes Association’s nationwide directory for a list of educators in your community.
