by Carrie Belt

Created on: June 09, 2009

For many diabetics, managing their diabetes can not only be a confusing process, but it can also be time-consuming and frustrating. When you first learn that you have diabetes, you not only are urged to make dietary changes, but you may also have to make changes to your lifestyle and daily routine. Right off the bat, many diabetics find that managing their condition is overwhelming, exhausting, and downright hard.

The good news is that even though significant changes can be challenging in the beginning, it only takes a few small lifestyle changes to influence your overall health. For example, reaching for a diet soda rather than a full-sugar soda is one small change many diabetics learn to make early on. Soon, they will begin to notice how these small first steps can lead to big results in their bodies, attitudes, and minds.

If you are a new diabetic and are looking for some simple diabetes management tools that you can begin to integrate into your daily routine and lifestyle in small steps, then you've come to the right place. Here are a few steps to get the ball rolling towards better health and easier diabetes management:

Keep a journal

First a foremost, remember that keeping a journal not only helps you to keep track of your progress, but it makes you an active participant in your health management. In your journal, keep a log of your meals, exercise, and other daily habits that seem to influence your health, such as stress level and other activities. In the beginning, this journal may seem like a foe.

However, as you begin to track your daily routine and habits, you'll start to notice trends that directly impact your body. For example, you may notice that you reach for a candy bar every afternoon for a snack. When you have to record that candy bar in your food log, you may be less inclined to reach for it. If you know that you feel good every time you record a workout, then you may start to work out just so you can record it! Remember: a journal will motivate you to become an active participant in your overall healthcare.

Eliminate sugar

Your doctor may tell you initially that sugar is the enemy of diabetics. Sugar kicks your blood glucose levels to dangerous highs, which can lead to high blood pressure and other serious conditions more easily than in a non-diabetic. Therefore, it's important to eliminate (or reduce) your sugar intake. This means cutting out full-sugar sodas and juices, switching to whole wheat breads and pastas, and eliminating candy and many desserts from your diet. Keep in mind that there are no-sugar substitutes for many of your favorite high-sugar foods, including cookies, cakes, and beverages.

By the way, TypeFree is a great online resource that provides nutrition, lifestyle, and exercise tips for diabetics and their loved ones. You can also find diabetes gift baskets and other products that help diabetics manage their food intake and diabetic condition.

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