Whether you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you have a history of it in your family, or you’d just like to learn more about it, you’ll find that National Diabetes Month will help you out quite a bit. There are a lot of things you can do to help with your diabetes or to help those who have been diagnosed when you’re around them. These ten ideas will make October and November the best time to learn about diabetes, find new ways to stay on track with management and so much more. So, get ready to find some money-saving tips to help make your life even more efficient and frugal in the fight against diabetes.
1. Prevention is Key
One of the key things to realize when it comes to diabetes is prevention is key. That means, you should make sure to go to yearly screenings, so if you are becoming prediabetic your doctor can address the issue quickly. Another way to start early prevention is to have a DNA test to see if you have a marker for diabetes. This will increase your chances of getting the disease, so you can make adjustments to your diet straight away or see a nutritionist get you squared away. There are many dietary steps you can take early on to keep your body in good health. It is also wise to start your child on these dietary restrictions. As they grow, they will make healthier choices that will reduce their chance of getting the disease.
2. Exercise
Exercise is another key point to focus on when it comes to diabetes. Regular exercise can help you to keep your diabetes in check while managing your weight. There are many ways to get into shape too. For starters, you can join a class at a discounted gym or find a walking or jogging group to keep you busy. If that doesn’t suit you then there are a lot of great exercise classes online to choose from. Of course, you should have a conversation with your doctor before you choose to engage in new exercise routines. This will allow you to know you’re doing what’s right for your body at all times.
3. Be Restaurant Savvy
Restaurants can be a real problem when it comes to keeping up with your diabetes. It is tough to make wise decisions when you’re tempted with such delicious food. If you struggle in restaurants, then one of the best things you can do is take the time to the look at the menu before you arrive. You can easily find an option that is suitable for your dietary needs and set your heart on that dish. This will prevent you from dealing with the temptation while you’re in the store. It will also allow you to make sure everything is going to suit your dietary needs. Of course, if you’re not certain, you might ask a restaurant about its diabetic options. Many restaurants will have a special menu or know the proper alterations to make to suit dietary needs.
4. Weigh Your Dieting Options
As you probably know, your diet is going to be a huge part of your life when you’re working to manage or prevent diabetes. There are so many diets to consider these days, but not all of them are going to work for you, nor are all of them good for you. Instead of just relying on a diet, you might want to do your research first. This will allow you to make a more educated choice. However, it is also crucial to speak with your doctor before taking on a new diet when you’re working with diabetes. You might be referred to a nutritionist that will help you get in the groove of things without making you feel like you need to start a trendy diet.
5. Look for Alternatives
One of the worst things that are going to happen when dealing with your new dietary needs is seeing all of the sweets that you can no longer have. Of course, if you’re a bread fanatic then you’re going to be feeling the blues too. Luckily, there are so many alternatives out there that you can actually enjoy, which won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out. There are numerous blogs and even magazines dedicated to helping you find a safe and delicious recipe that is perfect for satisfying your cravings without spiking your blood sugar. There are even alternatives to bread, which can help you find a solution to all of your lunch needs.
6. Insulin
There are have been many horror stories about insulin prices on the internet, which might leave you wondering if you’re going to be able to afford the care you need if you have diabetes or develop it in the future. One of the major problems with insulin is how insurance companies handle it. You can easily have much of your insulin paid for with insurance, but you’ll end up spending a small fortune on your own to cover the rest. However, if you present your prescription from your doctor a pharmacist at Walmart and ask them to process it without insurance, you’ll end up spending a mere $25. Some of the other pharmacies in your area might also allow you to enjoy a similar deal, so you might want to call and ask around before you purchase.
7. Maintain Healthy Sleep
Sleep can be your best friend no matter what is going on with your body. However, most people don’t get enough sleep in their life. From stress to health issues, you’ll find that getting a good night’s rest has more to it than you think. However, if you have diabetes or you’re trying to prevent diabetes, you might find that you’ll need to work on getting more sleep a bit harder than others. Luckily, there are numerous ways that you can help improve your sleep. Diet and exercise are one simple way to get a start on better sleep. You might also want to check to see that you’re sleeping on the right type of mattress. Once you have these issues taken care of then you might look into deeper techniques. For instance, you might try using lavender and other soothing smells. Yoga and meditation can also lead to deeper sleep. There are so many helpful tips though that you will have a lot of options to choose from when trying to find the right method for you.
8. Reduce Stress
Stress can be another huge contributor to the state of your diabetes. So, when looking to help improve your life and your blood sugar levels, you might consider finding yourself a hobby or activity that will help you reduce stress with ease. For instance, meditation is a great activity that can help you engage your mind while figuring out new ways to reduce stress. Of course, almost any hobby you pick up will have properties that will reduce stress while allowing you to focus on something more important. This should help you manage your life better, which will improve your overall health. You might find yourself worrying less about your diabetes too, which might even help you lead a more fulfilling life.
9. Track your Food
Eating the right diet isn’t going to be enough to maintain the health you need to keep your blood sugar levels on the right track. You’re also going to need to learn how to track what you eat. This will mean keeping a food journal. Luckily, there are lots of ways to do this in today’s day and age. For instance, you can download an app that will help you with this. There are actually apps that make it very easy to keep track of everything with very little effort on your end. Of course, if you don’t like dealing with gadgets, you can easily find a notebook to help you out. There are even notebooks specifically designed to write down foods and how many carbs, calories and so on that they have.
10. See Your Doctor
Without a doubt, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to see your doctor. If you’re diabetic or prediabetic then make sure to go to your doctor when you have questions or concerns. Your doctor will be able to steer you in the right direction so you can get the care you need without any guesswork. Of course, keeping an appointment is also very important, especially while you’re still learning to manage your diabetes. If you’re pre-diabetic or concerned about diabetes, then you might bring up your concerns with your doctor to see if you need extra care. You should also make sure to get your routine checkups.
National Diabetic Awareness Month is the perfect time for you to learn more about diabetes and how you can help improve your experience. These tips will definitely allow you to save some money and feel more confident about your experience, while also helping you to spread awareness. So, make this month the perfect time to share your knowledge, so you can help others save money and frustration too.
