While it’s a common belief that there’s no medical cure for diabetes, you may be surprised at how much you can do to get your blood sugar readings in the normal range and keep them there. Perhaps one of the most counterproductive attitudes for a diabetic is to believe that your condition is hopeless, that you’re doomed to progressively deteriorating health.
Your doctor and the various diabetic organizations typically state that there’s no cure for diabetes. You are prescribed medications to help regulate your blood sugar levels and perhaps others to protect your heart and kidneys, with regular follow up lab test and office visits to monitor your condition. Most diabetic patients know that diet and exercise play an important role in maintaining acceptable blood sugar readings, but also tend to accept that, eventually, the inevitable complications will develop. This attitude is your worst enemy when it comes to fighting diabetes.
While the cause of diabetes is essentially the body’s inability to regulate blood sugar levels, the condition also usually stems from many years of consuming foods high in sugar, which may be exacerbated by a genetic disposition to the disease. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, it’s time to retrain your body with healthier dietary and lifestyle choices. It’s certainly not the time to simply give up, believing there’s no cure for diabetes.
Diabetics who subscribe to the idea that there’s no hope often succumb to the urge for a sugary soda or other sweet treat. The diabetic recipes and confusing measurement of your carb intake can be less than helpful. If you’ve already developed heart and kidney problems as a result of diabetes and are overweight, the whole picture can be overwhelming. Instead of feeling as though you are simply a victim to this disease, you need to know that there is much you can do to control diabetes, even to the point of what might be called a cure. Let’s take a look at how you can take control of your own health and beat this disease, with your lab tests maintaining normal numbers time after time. Granted, you can’t eat anything you like, but this style of cure for diabetes is essentially a matter of retraining yourself to eat healthy, non-refined foods and following a regimen of exercise. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
A recent study by the John Hopkins University found that losing weight was the most important component in improving the diabetic condition. When you think about it, this does make sense. People usually become overweight by consuming too much fat, simple carbohydrates, processed and highly refined foods, and, of course, sugar. Sound familiar? Losing weight is the best first step you can take for your cure for diabetes program.
Switching to a diet that’s high in protein, fiber and complex carbs in reasonable amounts is a good dietary recipe for both losing weight and reducing your blood sugar levels. It’s a win-win for the diabetic. It may take some getting used to making these dietary changes, but the results are nothing short of phenomenal. You really don’t need special diabetes recipes, which you may find unappealing. Meal time should not be a punishment! Plan your menus with foods you enjoy and which are beneficial to your condition. For example, if you love a big, juicy burger, buy meat with a low percentage of fat, preferably of the no-hormones-added brands of beef. Prepare it with a whole-grain bun that’s high in fiber. Surprisingly, most common condiments, including mayo, with which we dress the bun, are not ‘forbidden’ items. Pile on dark leafy greens, slices of onion and tomato and enjoy.
Lean meats, poultry and fish are on your ‘approved’ list of foods. Have a larger portion of meat than usual, make a big green salad and forget the baked potato. Make your meats more interesting and flavorful with marinades and salsas for a little spark that makes up for the buttered potato. Load up on fresh veggies, full of nutrients and fiber. Herbal seasonings provide extra flavor to veggies, helping you avoid that deprived feeling. Not only will you lose weight, you’ll feel full and satisfied at the end of the meal, and your blood sugar levels will drop.
Daily exercise is another of your best friends in your quest for that cure for diabetes. Again, this shouldn’t be a dreaded experience. Choose a form of exercise you enjoy. This helps assure you’ll stick with it and realize all of the long term benefits.
Once you implement these simple dietary and lifestyle changes, you’ll not only feel better but you’ll be better. Your lab tests will tell the story. There are many people who have followed this easy plan, finding their own virtual cure for diabetes.
