Q:How should you manage your diabetes symptoms?

A: If you are diagnosed with diabetes, get serious NOW! Too many people don't realize that it is so important to take care of diabetes from day 1 to prevent and/or delay the complications of diabetes. Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes (about 90%). Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight (at least 80%). Therefore early on the most important thing to do is loose a few pounds. Accomplish this by taking steps to eat healthier.

Today there is no such thing as a diabetic diet. Eating to control diabetes is healthy eating.

For easy to follow advice to eat healthier, check out my books Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy , Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible, or Complete Guide to Carb Counting.

Another key to blood glucose control is to become more active. This burns glucose and calories and helps you reduce diabetes symptoms. Many people with type 2 diabetes, especially as they have diabetes for more years, need diabetes medications. This includes both pills and insulin. Remember, what's most important is that you keep your blood glucose in control over tihe years. (see Q: What are the blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c goals for diabetes management?)

If you have type 1 diabetes, you need to become knowledgeable about how food affects your blood glucose levels. Partner up with a diabetes nutrition educator to learn how to balance food, insulin and activity. Contact me if you'd like to schedule a visit. Also, you need to take insulin via injections or pump and keep active. Today most people with type 1 diabetes count the carbohydrate content of their meals and adjust their insulin based on the amount of carbohydrate you eat. To learn more about carbohydrate counting check out my book Complete Guide to Carb Counting.

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