Managing Diabetes During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Diabetes Is Still Here, Too

You’ve heard a lot about the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, and maybe even some types of cancer, for good reason lately. However, it seems that Diabetes has taken a back seat in terms of importance. If you’re one of the many people who have Diabetes, then you know this disease takes a back seat for no one. While this illness has taken the world by storm, the following tips will help you manage your Diabetes in the middle of the crisis.

• Remember that foods fall on different places according to the glycemic index, a number that details how each food will affect glucose levels in the blood based on its chemical makeup. The lower a food’s glycemic number, or GI, the better it is for the diabetic diet.
• Did you know that it is recommended that diabetics have a diet high in dairy? Studies show that dairy can help keep blood sugar levels from spiking, so having as much low-fat dairy as possible, can be a huge help to a diabetic. Have a tall glass of skim milk at breakfast and some cheese at lunch. It’s healthy and tasty!
• There are so many resources online for diabetics, including the American Diabetes Association, so make use of all they have to offer! Many have support groups, articles, research and even links to local educators, who can help you learn even more. Take the time to know what’s going on in your body and you’ll live a long, healthy life.
• If you have been diagnosed with Diabetes – keep a diet diary! A diary will allow you to track what and how much you are eating. It will also help you detect a pattern you may have for a certain craving at a particular time of the day. You will be able to see which foods cause your blood glucose level to spike. Perhaps you can make some tasty alternatives that will not have such an effect on your Diabetes? Doing so will help you to avoid any unnecessary headaches.
• Got a sweet tooth? While many people think diabetics have to avoid all sweets, this isn’t necessarily true. When planning a sweet dessert or snack, just make sure it is included in a healthy meal or with exercise. Your doctor can guide you with pointers to help you include desserts and snacks in your diet.
• Take a thyroid test! If you are diagnosed as Diabetic, find out if you’ve had your thyroid checked recently. Sometimes thyroid conditions can cause the pancreas to lower its production of insulin! So, getting a blood test to make sure that your thyroid is doing fine is a good idea – before you go on any medications for Diabetes.
• It is important that you have your cholesterol checked at least once a year if you have diabetes. Having diabetes increases your chances of developing high cholesterol, which can cause serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. There is a simple blood test called a fasting lipid profile that checks your cholesterol levels.

As you read in the opening, diabetes isn’t one of the more important diseases out there in the mainstream. The media sure isn’t mentioning that about 1.4 million new cases of Diabetes are diagnosed in United States every year!

Manage your Diabetes in the midst of this pandemic and thrive. Vascular Health Institute is here to help.