We know that finding out that you have type 2 diabetes can come as a shock. But, once you know it, you need to find ways for type 2 diabetes management. It’s true that you’re going to need to make some major adjustments to your daily routine. But with the right plan to manage type 2 diabetes, you don’t have to let it ruin your life.
Developing a care plan after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will help you manage your diabetes and take back control over your life. Wondering how to do it? Well, continue reading to find out how you can live happily with a Type 2 Diabetes management plan.
1. Make A Type 2 Diabetes-friendly Diet Plan
If you want to maintain your blood sugar levels, you’re going to need a good diet plan. Remember that you can make your daily routine a lot easier by planning your meals ahead of time.
Stock up on healthy and nutritious meals that can be made quickly and help you in type 2 diabetes management. Start by buying whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. For protein, you should stick to organic, lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish.
You can also find plant-based protein sources such as spinach, quinoa, and legumes. But when you are choosing plant-based proteins, be sure to limit the number of carbohydrates you eat. On average, you should get 45-60% of your daily calories from carbs as someone who is looking forward to managing type 2 diabetes.
Getting into a comfortable routine and planning will help you stick to a type 2 diabetes diet plan and avoid dangerous spikes in your blood sugar levels. You should also get in the habit of checking food labels and looking for nutritional facts about the foods you eat to be informed. You can consult with a nutritionist to help you get on track and help you eat a well-rounded diet.
2. Watch Your Carbs Intake
Since carbohydrates turn to sugar in your body, it’s no wonder that watching your carbs is a big part of how to work on type 2 diabetes management. You should know that having type 1 or 2 diabetes means that your body has a difficult time processing and using blood sugar.
Your body needs carbs to function but not all carbs are created equally. Remember that eating complex carbs and fiber is much better for you because they take longer to break down during digestion. This further means that you won’t experience a giant spike in your blood sugar.
There are three main types of carbohydrates: starches, sugars, and fiber. Starches are complex carbs such as potatoes, beans, and grains like brown rice or quinoa. Sugars are both naturally occurring in fruits or added in sweets like chocolate or yogurt. Fiber, on the other hand, is commonly found in vegetables such as green beans and broccoli. It is also found in eggs, meat or fish.
You need to keep in mind that complex carbs such as starches and fiber that are naturally occurring are a safer bet for type 2 diabetes management. This is because your body slowly breaks them down.
Added sugars should be avoided (or eliminated) as much as possible since it causes your insulin levels to spike quicker. Tracking your carbs every day will help you to avoid having too much sugar. The best thing is that you can find tracking apps on your phones that make tracking food more convenient.
3. Do Regular Exercise
Another way for diabetes management type 2 is through regular fitness and exercise. It’s true that having a healthy diet can make a big difference but there’s no substitute for being active. Yes, you heard it right!
Doing exercise is not only going to help you get in shape and stay healthier, but it also makes you feel better. Find a regime that you enjoy and that works with your schedule. It can be as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood or spending 30 minutes at the gym.
Remember that everyone’s fitness level is different, so you should consult with your doctor or trainer for a workout plan that is safe for you and helps in type 2 diabetes management. Have fun with your exercise and don’t be afraid to mix it up so that you don’t get bored. You can even listen to music or find a workout buddy to help you stay motivated as well.
4. Use Medication
Another key component to managing your type 2 diabetes effectively is taking your medication on time for diabetes type 2. Managing it can become much easier with the help of a doctor as they’ll prescribe the right medication. Your doctor may test your blood sugar two to four times a year using the A1C test. From there, you can discuss your personal goals and determine the proper medication, meal plan, and exercise level based on your age and other categories.
Remember that you might be required to test your blood sugar level regularly as part of your treatment plan. If you’re taking insulin medications, this might mean multiple tests throughout the day. Yes, that’s true.
Your doctor may combine different medications and insulin therapy depending on your personal circumstances and the other medications you are on. Remember that you can keep up with your medications by refilling prescriptions online.
Which Medication Is Right for You?
A common medication for type 2 diabetes management is metformin which is used to lower glucose production in your liver. It is usually the first medication prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes.
Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides are medications prescribed to help your pancreas produce more insulin. Some examples are glyburide, glipizide, and glimepiride. Other medications such as DPP-4 inhibitors help to reduce blood sugar levels without causing weight gain. But you should be aware of the fact that they have some side effects such as joint pain and risk of pancreatitis.
Injectable medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, slow your digestion to help reduce blood sugar levels. These can also help with weight loss. Although they could cause nausea and increase your risk of pancreatitis.
SGLT2 inhibitors, on the other hand, prevent your kidneys from reabsorbing sugar by excreting it instead. This drug class can help to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. So, it is prescribed to people who are at high risk of these conditions.
A Look at Insulin Therapy
Type 2 diabetes management through insulin therapy has grown in popularity for type 2 diabetes patients because of its effectiveness. Insulin is administered through injections because normal digestion is not effective. You should know that your doctor may have you take different types of insulin throughout the day.
You may start by taking one long-acting shot at night. Typically, insulin glargine (Lantus) or insulin detemir (Levemir) is prescribed. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the effects of the medications and insulin you are taking to find the one that works the best for you.
How To Create a Plan to Manage Type 2 Diabetes?
To make a type 2 diabetes management plan that is effective, you must commit to a strategy that incorporates a healthy diet, exercise, and medication(s). Combined, these three aspects can give you the best chance of maintaining your blood sugar level goals.
So, if you are looking for more ways to stay healthy and avoid an insulin spike? Check out the informative articles here.
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