When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it often means changing both your lifestyle and diet. Many diabetics manage to do this successfully as well as sticking to their new medication routine. However, there are often bad habits that linger.
Start unchecking these habits that can increase your risks of complications such as diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. It’s essential to weed them out!
#1 Skipping Breakfast
All too often, we rush out the door in the morning without eating a good breakfast. This may save a few minutes before work, but it can cause you to overeat at lunch or dinner. A 2015 study released in Diabetes Care found that people who skipped breakfast wound up with 37% higher blood sugar levels at lunchtime. Basically, they ate more to compensate for missing a meal.
#2 Sitting Down
Modern society makes it oh so easy to take a seat and do nothing for several hours. However, this can increase the risks of complications and dying from all kinds of diseases. Ironically, a block of exercise time each day doesn’t counter the negative effects. You’ll do better by staying active throughout the day. Space out those television binges with breaks to walk the dog, do some housework, or head to the store.
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#3 Smoking & Drinking
Drug habits can really impact your health in the long run, especially if you’re already dealing with a chronic disease. Smoking can interfere with your ability to get enough oxygen and hinders circulation. It also raises blood sugar levels and causes insulin resistance. Drinking damages your liver and pancreas and can cause hypoglycemia for up to 24 hours afterward. Try to stop smoking completely and cut back to one glass or less of alcohol daily.
#4 Avoiding the Needle Prick
Testing your blood sugar levels on a regular basis is vital to maintaining good health. It helps you know if certain foods cause spikes and lets you know if you need to take more medication. If you track your levels, it can give you a good idea of how effective your lifestyle changes and medication are being. Pricking your fingers for a glucose test can be a little uncomfortable, but it is worthwhile.
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9 Bad Habits to Kick When You Have Type 2 Diabetes. URL Link. Accessed August 3rd, 2017.
Diabetes: Does Alcohol and Tobacco Use Increase My Risk? URL Link. Accessed August 3rd, 2017.
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