Keeping sugar under control is vital for diabetic patients. A regular life is essential to keep blood sugar levels under control. In addition, medications taken orally or in the form of insulin therapy make it easier to keep the values under control. While these medications constitute half of the treatment, the other half consists of a planned life, healthy diet and regular exercise as we have just mentioned.
When diabetes is mentioned in the society, there is a fear in the first place. However, if certain rules are followed, diabetic patients continue their lives with high health standards until the end of their lives. Because the rules necessary for patients with diabetes to stabilise sugar control are actually the rules necessary for many people to live healthy lives. However, these rules become a little more compulsory and precise for diabetic patients. Healthy nutrition is indispensable for diabetics to maintain their blood sugar values at normal standards. Patients with a healthy diet will be protected from many chronic diseases and complications that will occur with an increase in blood sugar levels. There are some golden rules for diabetic patients to keep their blood sugar under control. For example, these patients should know which food and how much they should consume and make it a standard of living. In this way, patients will move away from diet psychology and reach a quality life level. If there are patients who have weight problems at the level of obesity, the primary goal should be to reduce the fat content in the body. At this stage, it will be useful to get help from a dietician. In addition, foods that do not increase blood sugar should be used in the diet programme. Surgery should also be among the options as an effective option for these patients.
In order to keep blood sugar under control, it is important to know why blood sugar rises in the first place. The main problem that increases the sugar level in the blood is the insufficiency or absence of the insulin hormone that should be in the body, or in some cases, the existing insulin does not show the necessary effect. The hormone that balances blood sugar in the body is the hormone insulin. However, as it is known, there is a problem with the secretion of insulin hormone in diabetic patients. Therefore, blood sugar rises. At this stage, this problem can be controlled with regular and balanced nutrition. When it comes to diabetes, the important thing is not what you should eat, but the extent to which you will consume what you eat. In this regard, a wide range of information trainings are provided in health institutions. It is very important for diabetic patients to participate in these trainings. For example, carbohydrate intake of diabetic patients is a very important issue. It is out of the question to cut carbohydrates completely. However, if carbohydrate-containing foods such as bread, pasta, rice, pastry, fruit, sugar and honey are taken above the specified level, blood sugar goes beyond normal standards. Thanks to these trainings, the amount of carbohydrates to be taken and from which type of carbohydrate this amount should be taken are learnt and thus the standard of living is carried to higher levels. In addition to carbohydrates, fats and proteins are also included in the diet. Of course, the proportions are important again. If you feel that you have difficulties in adjusting and implementing these arrangements in the first stage, it would be helpful to get help from a dietitian. At this stage, the dietitian will get comprehensive information about your medical treatment as the first stage, regardless of whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and will prepare your nutrition programme in the light of this information. The diet accompanied by a dietitian will help you lose weight while keeping your blood sugar at normal standards.
Some foods can lower and raise blood sugar quite quickly. We can give you an idea about some of these foods that create an imbalance in blood sugar. For example; whole grain bread raises your sugar levels much later and slower than white bread. You can think about biscuits with the same logic. The glycaemic index of wholemeal and whole grain biscuits is much lower than biscuits made with white flour. Therefore, it is healthier. If you need to choose among fruits, grapefruit and apple are recommended more than other fruits in diabetes. In general, when choosing carbohydrates, it is always more beneficial for your blood sugar values to choose whole grain ones. Using bulgur instead of rice with the same logic is important to keep your values in balance. However, applying this rule all the time may bore you after a certain point. It should not be forgotten that these are healthy options. After balancing your portions, you can choose other options under the supervision of a doctor. The important thing here is the amount, let's not forget.
You know that early diagnosis at the disease stage always saves lives. Sugar control in diabetes is also vital in the same way. For this reason, you should have your sugar measured regularly. What is meant by regular measurement is measurements made daily or even several times a day in some cases. Your disease level will determine the frequency of these measurements. It will be very difficult for you to constantly go to hospitals, clinics, etc. to make measurements at this frequency. Therefore, the most economical way for these measurements is to do it yourself at home. There are many insulin devices to help you at this stage. Insulin measurements should usually be done in the morning on an empty stomach, before lunch, dinner and night meals. These measurements should be repeated not only when you feel any difference in your body, but also when everything is fine. Type 2 diabetics whose blood sugar cannot be controlled and who do not use any insulin should repeat the measurements in the morning on an empty stomach before breakfast and within 2 hours after the meal. This information is the most general information. It should not be forgotten that each patient is special and their follow-up progresses individually, as determined by the doctors. You should prepare the most appropriate measurement map for yourself with the advice of your doctor.