Managing Diabetes: A Guide for Patients

Diabetes is a health problem that affects how your body uses sugar from the foods you eat. With diabetes, there is too much sugar in your blood. High blood sugar can make you feel very sick if it’s not controlled properly.

Foods to Avoid

There are certain foods that can spike your blood sugar really high. These foods should be avoided as much as possible:

1. Sweets like candy, cookies, cakes, and sugary drinks like soda.

2. White bread, crackers, white pasta, and snack foods made with white flour.

3. Fried foods from fast food places like french fries and fried chicken.

Good Foods for Diabetes

Instead of those problem foods, you want to focus on eating foods that are healthier and won’t raise your blood sugar levels too much:

1. Vegetables like salads, green beans, broccoli, and carrots.

2. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, and berries. Don’t eat too many fruits.

3. Whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread and pasta.

4. Protein foods like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, and beans.

The Importance of Exercise

Exercise is super important for controlling your diabetes. When you exercise, it helps use up some of that extra sugar in your blood. Walking is an easy way to exercise – try to walk for 30 minutes every single day if you can. Other good exercise choices are swimming, riding a bike, or taking an exercise class.

If you have diabetes, you have to be careful about what foods you eat. Stay away from sugary foods, fried foods, and foods made with white flour as much as you can. Build your meals and snacks around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins instead. And make sure to get exercise daily like walking. Following these simple tips can go a long way in helping you control your diabetes and stay healthy.