Healthy living with Type 1 diabetes

Receiving a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis is never easy. Keeping your sugar levels healthy, getting your required dosage of insulin on time and keeping away serious health complications caused by diabetes can seem quite intimidating. However, don’t be disheartened. Simply taking care of your basic elements can help you live a healthy life with diabetes. 

Insulin

First and foremost be regular with your medicines. In Type 1 diabetes, the body is no longer able to produce insulin as the pancreatic cells are completely destroyed. This makes it essential to take sufficient insulin from external sources. This may be in the form of a syringe, a pen or even a pump. Be sure to keep your medicines stocked and with you at all times. Regularly monitoring and logging your blood sugar levels can also help determine how effective your current treatment and dosage of insulin is!

Food

Every meal that you eat impacts blood sugar. Adopting the right diet is crucial for healthy sugar levels. The focus here needs to be on nutrition. Opt for healthy and wholesome home-cooked meals with vegetables. Avoid junk and processed food as they are high in fat and sugar which spike up your glucose levels. In case you aren’t sure what diet works for you, consult a nutritionist. Keep in mind, a healthy diet in no way means skipping meals, but choosing the right food. Together you can work out a healthy meal plan which doesn’t leave you hungry or feeling deprived of the good food. 

Physical activity

Regular exercise and being physically active through the day is essential for anyone living with Type 1 diabetes looking to bring their sugar levels in control. It is recommended that diabetics should exercise for minimum 30 minutes 5 days a week. Work with a trainer if you’re not sure how to start your workout regime. You can start slow and build up your intensity gradually. Aerobics and strength training are also great workouts for people with diabetes. Also be sure to up your activity levels during the day. Get up and walk or stretch after being sedentary for a while. 

Positive Attitude

Stress and a negative attitude can upset your glucose levels and destroy all your hard work. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If some days you are tired or have an extra serving of food, it’s not the end of the world. Find a way to balance it later. In case something in your diet plan or treatment isn’t working well for you, discuss the same with your healthcare team. They are there to support you. Also, introduce some form of meditation in your routine. Sit quietly as you focus on your breathing or listen to some soothing sounds of nature to calm your mind. 

Thus, we see that the core treatment for good health with diabetes rests largely on these four things. Adopt a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, timely medication, regular exercise and a calm mind. This will not just help control your sugar levels but also boost overall health.