I have Diabetes. I was not born with it (as in
Juvenile
Diabetes)
but became one when I was an adult (30ish). I have
Type
2
Diabetes. I control it with oral medication and diet
and
exercise. I believe
the contributing factors (in my getting Diabetes)
was
that it 'runs'
in my family and I am overweight (to the point of
being
obese) but I am working on the latter (I have lost
a lot
of
weight but have a long way to go {some of which
seems to find me
again. :( ). Insulin might be in my future (not always a bad
thing if it helps control ones blood sugar level).
I have found these 'rules' or 'tips' to be helpful in taking control of ones Diabetes.
A Good Physician/Doctor/Primary Care Person.
It is very helpful to have a
doctor
that will work with you in controlling ones Diabetes. It is
also good to work with (not against) ones doctor
(remember
he/she is there to help you).
A Good Attitude.
A negative attitude has never
helped
anyone. I try to keep an attitude of 'I can live with
Diabetes'. Since I like to try new things, I think of
my
Diabetes as a reason to try new things
(ie; glucometers, medicines, sugar-free or low-carb
foods,
sugar-free or low-carb recipes, etc).
It is not easy to keep a positive attitude but I think it is worth the
effort
(this is not to say
one will never get down/depressed but the sooner one leaves/gets out of
the
depression,
the better you are [IMHO - in my honest opinion]).
A Meal Plan.
A good meal plan is also very
helpful.
I received one from my doctor (I have a copy
online so I can keep a copy of it available [I
seem
to misplace mine on a regular basis
and an online version helps me keep track of
it]).
It is also good to keep track of ones
meals as well as ones blood-sugar levels (there
are
devices that help with the 'record
keeping' part of the meal plan). It is also important to consult
ones doctor and/or
nutritrionist before using a meal plan or starting a diet (to get what
is
right for you
and not just what others are using or seems
popular).
A Supportive Family And Friends.
A family and/or friends that
help and
supports you is a big plus. It is a good feeling
knowing that one does not have to go through
this
alone (it still comes down to you
controlling your life and ultimately being
responsible
for you but it helps when others
are there to help and support those efforts).
American
Diabetes
Association
A very useful resource for those with Diabetes. With the membership,
one receives their magazine - Diabetes Forecast - with alot of usefull
information. The membership is quite reasonable - especially when
one considers what one receives in return).
(it is the one I keep online in case I lose or
misplace
mine
which I do more often than I care to admit).
Caution: Before using any meal planner or diet, ALWAYS
consult ones doctor/physician.
What might work for one person might not work for
another.
A doctor or dietician will be
able to taylor/customize a diet plan that will work for you (especially
if
you work with
them).
Low-Carb-Recipe-Exchange
There is a discussion group at Yahoo
Groups
that could also be of help
in ones Diabetes. There are alot of low-car recipes that could with a
Diabetec meal plan. (IIRC on the URL)
Simple-Diabetec-Recipes
Here is another one with simple Diabetec recipes that might be of some
help to some (IIRC on the URL - if tis wrong, just go to
the Yahoo Groups home page and
do a search).
Diabetec Cooking Magazine
Here is a recipe magazine for those who are Diabetics.
It has alot of great recipes and photos plus
informative information.
created on 09-20-2004
updated on 05-13-2008