by Lion Del Neumeister - 5SW Diabetes Chairman
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| Lion Del Neumeister |
Sugar. To start with, each of us needs to know that when we are talking sugar, we are talking about several things. Sugar is more than just what you sprinkle on your cereal in the morning or put in your coffee. Sugar is created in your body when you eat certain things. Some (this certainly doesn't include all) of the common things are pasta, bread and potatoes. When I eat these things, I know that eventually my blood sugar will go up. So, what do we do?
Do we need to eliminate sugar from our diet completely? Let me just say that not only is that unpleasant, I believe that it is impossible. Sugar enters the body in many forms. So, once again, what do we do?
If you want to control your diabetes rather than have your diabetes control you, I believe that the first thing you need to do is to know how your body reacts to food. In order to do that, you must check your blood sugar and, in one way or another, record what you have consumed. For me, this means keeping track of what I eat at meals and snacks as well. Anything (you can skip water) that you put in you, eat or drink, should be kept track of. I do this in my, twice daily, recording sheet I use. You can use whatever works for you.
I believe that there are three things you will learn when you are diligent in your record keeping. I believe you will discover there are foods that raise your blood sugar, foods that have no effect on your blood sugar and foods that lower your blood sugar. Mind you, the last one (lowering) was discovered by me AFTER I knew which foods raised my blood sugar.
I know someone who has had diabetes for over 50 years. This person eats nearly anything they want. The reason is because after eating, testing occurs. This person, over the years has LEARNED what will and won't raise their blood sugar – and what to do about it.
The most important things, I BELIEVE, we need to do is have regular conversations with our doctor. Controlling diabetes means living life. Let's do it.
Next month: Let's Talk Exercise!
