Living with type 1 diabetes can be a struggle. Without many of the naturally-occurring mechanisms that help your body function at its best, people with type 1 diabetes have a stricter set of rules they have to live by. As a result, it’s not uncommon for diabetics to feel overwhelmed when it comes to managing their condition.
Be that as it may, with the guidance of medical professionals, below are several things people can do to make living with type 1 diabetes much more manageable on a day-to-day basis.
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Eat the Right Foods
Regardless of whether or not you have type 1 diabetes, what you eat affects your blood sugar. However, because people with type 1 diabetes can’t produce the hormone that naturally regulates glucose and blood sugar after eating, it’s important to understand how different foods affect your blood sugar so that you know how much medication is needed when eating different foods. If the food-to-hormone ratio is off, it can negatively affect your blood sugar levels, which can result in all sorts of complications.
Specifically, carbohydrates (sugar, bread, etc.) are often what cause your blood sugar levels to most-harshly spike. To help keep your levels in a manageable range, stick to low-fat, high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Of course, your doctor or dietitian can recommend foods more specifically tailored to your age, activity level, schedule, and food preferences.