A beginners guide to the Diabetic lifestyle.

Diabetes is a chronic condition you can control.

When you’ve just heard that you have been diagnosed as Diabetic, you may feel confused, upset, frightened and even overwhelmed. Or, you may be one of the people who are on the other side, who feel unaffected by this diagnosis. No two people will react exactly the same way.

One thing is, however, certain: you will be encouraged to make lifestyle changes, choose healthier foods and to become more active. You will also start to manage your blood sugar levels by regularly checking your glucose levels. Diabetes is something you can control. Take a deep breath and plan how you will approach making changes one step at a time. Here are recommended tips to help you discover your path to a healthy Diabetic lifestyle.

Once you’ve just been diagnosed with Diabetes, you will need to go for some tests to help better manage your Diabetes. You may need to get a care provider to help tailor your Diabetic care plan so that it best suits you and your changing lifestyle. Your plan should include weight-loss goals (if you’ve been advised to lose weight), your activities, your diet plan and all the tests and checks you need to go to. Schedule your meal times, activities and checks and tests in advance, so you don’t forget important appointments.

Regularly check your glucose levels

You will be encouraged to regularly test your blood sugar by checking your glucose levels. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of getting cavities (tooth decay). This means you’ll need to take better care of your teeth. The mouth naturally has many bacteria. When starchy and sugary foods and beverages come into contact with the bacteria in your mouth, they form a sticky film known as plaque on your teeth. The acids found in plaque will attack the surface of your teeth, slowly softening the surface of your teeth, wearing away at your teeth. This can lead to tooth decay. The higher your blood sugar level, the bigger the supply of starchy and sugary foods and beverages becomes – leading to more acid removing the surface of tooth enamel. Dental care is vital in controlling your blood sugar levels.

Focus on just one food and activity goal at a time

Making one diet change at a time is more realistic than making a complete diet change. Decide on what food goal you will focus on. It may be replacing a small packet of sweets a day with 2 pieces of fruit. Do the same with your exercise plan. If you’re not an active person, start slowly. It’s easier to start walking around the block daily for a week than to join a boot camp class immediately after being diagnosed. Taking one small step at a time is more realistic and you are more likely to stick to that one goal, and by making it specific, it will motivate you to carry on and ultimately form healthier habits.

Monitor Long Term Control with HbA1C Levels

The molecule Haemoglobin A1c, or HbA1C, is the percentage of the haemoglobin in the red blood cells that have glucose bound to it, providing an average measurement of the blood glucose levels during the last 2-3 months. The higher the glucose in your blood, the higher the presence of HbA1c. In order to provide a good summary of how good your Diabetic control has been during that time, HbA1C levels have to be monitored at regular intervals – every 3 to 6 months in all people living with Diabetes. Elevated HbA1C levels can provide early warning of future complications. So, if HbA1C levels elevate, your doctor will recommend appropriate treatment measures for better Diabetic management. Remember that HbA1C is not the same as your glucose level.

Ask for support

Your lifestyle changes may affect those around you. Speak to your family and friend about your diagnosis and your next steps, so they too can understand.

You can be a healthy person leading a normal life with Diabetes. The only thing that will change is your lifestyle.

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