Living with Diabetes-Diabetic Meal Programs

How is diabetes treated?

The goal of diabetes treatment is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible--not too high (called hyperglycemia) or too low (called hypoglycemia).

The first step is to have a healthy diet and to exercise. This may mean you'll need to change your diet and exercise habits. You'll also have to watch your weight, or even lose weight, to keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible. Your doctor will talk to you about the kinds of food you should eat and how much exercise you’ll need every week.

Diabetic Meal Programs is a cost effective way to introduce a nutrition program with flexibility and convenience. We believe that Diabetic Meals are the Perfect Choice! The perfect choice for learning how to eat right; the perfect choice if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol; and the Perfect Choice to help control your weight.

Regularly checking your blood sugar is a key to helping you control it. Blood sugar checks can help you see how food, exercise and insulin or medicine affects your level. Checking your blood sugar also allows you and your doctor to change your treatment plan if needed.

Sometimes diet and exercise alone can’t keep your blood sugar at a normal level. Then your doctor will talk to you about other treatments, such as medicine or insulin.

Call your doctor if:

• You start feeling very thirsty and are urinating more often than usual.
• You are nauseous or vomit more than once.
• You lose a significant amount of weight.
• You start breathing deeper and faster.
• Your breath smells like nail polish remover.
• You start to tremble, feel weak and drowsy, and then feel confused or dizzy, or your vision becomes blurred.
• You feel uncoordinated.
• You have a sore, blister or wound (especially on your feet) that won't heal.

Tips on blood sugar testing

• Pay attention to expiration dates for test strips.
• Use a big enough drop of blood.
• Be sure your meter is set right.
• Keep your meter clean.
• Check the batteries of your meter.
• Follow the instructions for the test carefully.
• Write down the results and show them to your doctor.
  

How often should I check my blood sugar level?

Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor suggests. You'll probably need to do it more often at first. You'll also check it more often when you feel sick or stressed, when you're changing your medicine or if you're pregnant. People taking insulin may need to check their levels more often.

Keep track of your blood sugar levels by writing them down. You can also keep track of what you've eaten and how active you've been during the day. This will help you see how food and exercise affect your blood sugar level.

Diabetic Meals are:

• Delivered directly to your door step
• Available for delivery anywhere in the United States
• Designed by nutrition experts
  
  

What should my blood sugar level be?

Talk with your doctor about what range of blood sugar levels is best for you. A level of 80 to 120 before meals is often a good goal, but not everyone with diabetes can get their blood sugar level this low.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about what to do if your blood sugar level isn't within the range that's best for you.
How does food affect my blood sugar level?

Anytime you eat, you put sugar in your blood. Eating the right way can help control your blood sugar level.

It's important for you to learn how what you eat affects your blood sugar level, how you feel and your overall health. As a general rule, just following a healthy diet is wise. Our Diabetic Meals are the perfect choice! . See the box below for some tips on eating right..

Tips on eating right

• Eat at about the same time every day. This helps keep your insulin or medicine and sugar levels steady.
• Try to eat 3 times a day. Have a snack at bedtime if you're taking medicine or insulin. Avoid other snacking unless you're exercising or treating hypoglycemia.
• If you're overweight, lose weight. Even losing just a little weight, such as 5 to 15 pounds, can lower your blood sugar levels.
• Eat plenty of fiber. Green leafy vegetables, grains and fruits are good choices. Fiber helps you feel full and helps with digestion.
• Eat fewer "empty" calories, such as foods high in sugar and fat, and alcohol.
• We at Diabetic Meal Programs take pride in creating delicious meals that are wholesome and beneficial to your health. Our diet meal plan caterers to your every need. Eating our meals allows you to take an active part in designing a healthy life style, with ease and convenience. Our food delivery service staff will always arrive with a friendly smile to lighten your day.
  
  

What about smoking and alcohol?

You should stop smoking as soon as possible. It's probably okay to drink some alcohol. But it's best not to have more than about 1 serving a day with a meal. A serving is 4 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor. If you drink on an empty stomach, you risk causing a drop in your blood sugar. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you to consume with your diabetes.

Will exercising help my blood sugar level?

Yes. Exercising is especially good for people who have diabetes because it can help the body better use insulin, resulting in a lower blood sugar level.

Exercise is also good for your heart, your cholesterol levels, your blood pressure and your weight--all factors that can affect your risk of heart attack and stroke. Exercise also seems to make people feel better about themselves and feel less anxious.

Talk with your doctor about starting an exercise program. He or she can help you make a plan.

What is a glycosylated hemoglobin test?

The glycosylated hemoglobin test is a blood test your doctor may do. One common type of glycosylated hemoglobin is hemoglobin A1C. The hemoglobin A1c level shows how well your blood sugar has been controlled during the previous 1 to 3 months. It helps your doctor see how effective your current method of treatment is and decide if any changes are needed.

Diabetic Meals are proven to keep your treatment on track with healthy, nutritious, delicious meals.