Managing Diabetes

I was diagnosed with type2 diabetes few months after I had kidney transplanted in me. The doctor said that it is normal; I just need to manage my eating habit which is not easy for me since I am also taking steroid that boosts my appetite. Just this morning, I went for a routine check up and found out that my blood sugar level in not that bad. Thank goodness! My doctor's worries is that my cholesterol is very high and so as my blood pressure. That is why he put me into Lipitor for cholesterol and Lisonpril for blood pressure. I hope that after two weeks of taking these medications, everything will be back to normal. Anyway, here are some tips on how to mange diabetes from RealAge.com

Managing diabetes comes down to one main goal: controlling your blood sugar levels. It's the key to reducing your risk of developing serious complications, such as heart disease, renal failure, nerve damage, and blindness. And making great meal choices can go a long way toward helping to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthful range.

When it comes to managing your blood sugar through your eating choices, don't think of it as dieting or saying no to yourself. Think of it as an un-diet -- where you focus on what you say yes to. Because the truth is, it's not about what you don't eat. It's about what you do eat. It's about choosing good foods, balancing your meals, and watching portion sizes. And eating regularly (no skipping!).

Here are just a few of the things you get to say yes to when you're eating for better blood sugar control.

Hearty grains: Those nutty, toasty whole-grain breads and cereals are so much more interesting than plain old white bread and cornflakes, right? This is definitely one area where eating right tastes great! Choose complex, high-fiber, whole-grain options whenever you include carbohydrates in a meal. We're talking whole-grain breads, cereals, and pasta, which will help keep your blood sugar steady.

The season's best: Those juicy, colorful fruits and veggies you see at the grocery store and farmers market? They're not a treat. They're a must. Because most fruit and veggies are nutrient rich, calorie poor, and fiber filled, they are an excellent choice for people with high blood sugar. Just keep it healthy by avoiding added sugars, butter, heavy cream, or sauces. Instead, use vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and spices for your veggies, and eat your fruit whole.

Creamy treats: Yummy yogurts and savory cheeses are not off limits for you. In fact, to stay healthy, your body needs the protein, calcium, and other nutrients that dairy provides. Just choose low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, yogurt, and sour cream products to keep your saturated fat intake down.

Perfect protein: Lovely broiled fish steaks, toasty nuts, crunchy chickpeas . . . sound like a hardship? It's not. Many of the healthier protein sources are also some of the tastiest. Choose lean cuts of meat, skinless chicken, omega-3-rich fish, eggs, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds to get your protein while reducing your saturated fat and cholesterol intake at the same time. And use low-fat cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, and stir-frying.