Type 2 diabetes is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis for many people. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics are potential contributing factors. It can be confusing to know what you should or should not eat or how you should best manage this condition.

Type 2 diabetes is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis for many people. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics are potential contributing factors. It can be confusing to know what you should or should not eat or how you should best manage this condition. Here are five mistakes that you can easily avoid to get your health back on track:

1. Taking a “Cheat” Day - Many times, food is way more than food. It’s a reward for a job well done, it’s solace when things don’t go our way, and it’s a way to celebrate with friends and family. However, when you have diabetes, eating the wrong foods can make you really sick. It’s not like a weight loss program where you can splurge once in a while without detrimental results. Eating just one candy bar can throw your blood sugar level off, so skip those tempting treats.
2. Failing to Look at the Whole Health Picture - Diabetes is influenced by more than just what we eat. Diet and exercise are extremely important, but stress and depression also affect how our bodies function. Did you know that constant stress can actually boost certain hormones which can hinder insulin function and increase your blood sugar levels? So consider your mental wellness and discuss with your doctor if you are feeling overly stressed or depressed.
3. Not Eating Protein With Your Carbs - Carbs quickly turn into sugar in your body and therefore can mess with your glucose levels. However, some doctors speculate that when you eat carbs with protein, it takes longer to digest the carbs which slows down how quickly the sugar gets into your system. Try eating eggs with your toast for breakfast, top your pasta with lean chicken or have a snack with a combination of cheese, grapes, nuts and plain Greek yogurt to keep your system in balance.
4. Not Keeping a Health Journal - You are your best health advocate. One of the most valuable ways that you can help your doctor help you is by keeping a daily journal of what you eat, how much you exercise and by tracking your blood sugar levels. This will give your doctor a better idea of how to manage your condition.
5. Relying Too Much on Medication - We all want that magic pill that takes away our ailments without requiring too much work. After all, it takes time, planning and effort to write down our eating and exercise habits and our glucose levels. Unfortunately, pretty much every medication has the risk for harmful side effects. For example, Invokana and Invokamet have been linked to kidney failure, comas, strokes, heart attacks and an increased potential for amputation of the toes, foot, and lower leg. Balancing your diabetes naturally doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?

##Sources

“10 Common Mistakes in Diabetes Management & How To Avoid Them”. The Diabetes Council. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/10-common-mistakes-in-diabetes-management-how-to-avoid-them/

“6 Diabetes Mistakes and How to Avoid Them”. WebMD. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/how-to-wreck-your-blood-sugar#1

“Eat Carbs Last to Reduce After-Meal Blood Sugar Spikes?”. Diabetes Self-Management. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/eat-carbs-last-reduce-meal-blood-sugar-spikes/

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