We have listed below some of the more important personal diabetes tips and recommendations we know will help you to manage your diabetes condition: 

1. Watch what you eat!  There is a positive correlation between diabetes blood glucose ("sugar") and diet.  Stay away from high sugar content foods, like candies and sweets and sugar drinks, especially those containing high fructose corn syrup.  Also, stay away from high carbohydrate foods, such as white flour foods, white breads, white pasta.  Instead, eat whole wheat flour foods, whole wheat breads and whole wheat pasta, to keep your sugars under tighter control.  Don't use too much salt.  Switch to extra virgin olive or canola oil, instead of using vegetable oil or butter in your cooking.  Don't eat high cholesterol foods.  Avoid processed foods (they contain too much salt), and eat vegetables and water-soluble fruits, such as watermelon.  Watch your meal portion sizes and avoid red meats that are hard on your kidneys.  Choose chicken (without the skin) or fish for protein.  




2. Get Regular Exercise!  Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, but regular exercise will help lower your blood glucose ("sugar").  We try to walk thirty minutes each day, and my loved one uses a step machine that gets her sweating very quickly.




3. Drink Plenty of Water!  You want to drink at least half of your body weight substituting ounces for pounds in pure water each day.  For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, use 60 ounces.  Since there are 8 oz. in one cup, a person that weighs 120 lbs. should drink 7.5 cups a day (= 60oz. / 8oz.)  A person that weighs 200 lbs. should use 100 oz., and drink 12.5 cups of pure water each day to stay adequately hydrated. 




4. Monitor Your Blood Sugars!  It is very important to frequently check your blood glucose ("sugar") levels and keep good records to be able to show the results to your doctor.  Your doctor will provide specific instructions applicable to your unique situation, but a normal range for blood glucose ("sugar") for most diabetics is targeted to be within a range of 70 to 140 mg/dl before meals.  For one to two hours after meals, the normal range for most diabetics is targeted to be within a range of 70 to 180.  The doctor will adjust your medications, such as oral pills, or the number of units of insulin you need in order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level based on your daily blood glucose monitor results, and the results of your A1c test.




5. Keep Your Stress Level Low!  Having high stress can increase your blood sugar.  Focus on doing things that make you happy, that you have a passion for doing.  My loved one enjoys cooking healthy meals.  One of the best things she did (for me too) was to force us both to stop eating out.  She now cooks diabetic meals and finds diabetes recipes that we both enjoy eating and that is good for both of us.  We went cold turkey on fast foods, and eat almost every meal at home now, and have never felt better.  Her blood sugars are in much better control ever since that decision.  By the way, the food tastes much better, and we have found it fun making everything homemade.  




6. Get Plenty of Sleep!  Your body needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night.  This lowers your stress during the day and helps keep you healthy.




7. Follow Your Doctor's Instructions!  It is vital to find a good doctor (we recommend having a good endocrinologist) you can trust, and who will take the time to explain to you exactly what you need to do to control your blood sugars and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It is also very important to try to quit smoking, if you smoke.  Smoking inhibits blood circulation, such as in the legs and feet, which is not good for a person with diabetes.
   




8. Mandaroty Exams! At least once a year, you must get a dilated eye exam.  Diabetics are at increased risk for a number of eye complications, so it is very important for you to have your retinas inspected at least once a year to avoid the sort of problems my loved one has experienced with her retinopathy and loss of vision.  At least once a day, you should inspect your feet for sores or infections.  Your doctor can show you how to best inspect your feet.  Diabetics are at increased risk for developing infections in their feet which can even lead to foot amputation if you do not monitor them for sores.   Diabetics should not go barefoot outside and you should make sure your shoes are not too tight so as to get blisters.  At least once every six months, you should have your doctor check your urine for the presence of protein (albumin) in your urine.  If there is an excess level, this might indicate a problem with your kidney(s).  With the results of a urine test, your doctor can treat the underlying problem before total kidney failure.  You should have regular blood tests that include the A1c test (to check your average blood sugar over two to three months), your HDL ("good" cholesterol) level, LDL ("bad" cholesterol) level, and total blood cholesterol level.   At least as often as your regular doctor office visit, you should have your blood pressure checked.