Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Abbott Canada, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Did you know March is Nutrition Month? As a registered holistic nutritionist, I have many clients who live with or care for those who live with diabetes.
With proper education and support, our loved ones living with diabetes can manage their health and prevent long-term complications like heart disease and strokes. My grandma lives with diabetes, and as her primary caretaker, I am always making sure she takes her medications on time, is eating healthy and checks her glucose levels regularly.
One of the questions I get asked quite often is: why are healthy eating habits and nutrition important, especially for people living with diabetes?
My answer is, healthy eating habits for those with diabetes are no different than for everyone else. When I’m cooking for my grandma, I don’t need to prepare separate meals or buy special foods. My grandma enjoys healthy eating with the rest of our family.
While many people living with diabetes may not need to stop eating their favourite foods altogether, they do need to pay special attention to how their bodies – and more specifically their glucose levels – react to specific foods, especially when it comes to small indulgences.
When the diet is too high in various forms of sugar, which enter the bloodstream rapidly, the glucose levels become unbalanced which is why we ‘crash’. To help manage this, here are some healthy eating tips I recommend to clients:
- Reduce or avoid sugary beverages — which are some of the worst culprits — like soda, fruit juice, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee or tea beverages.
- Watch out for natural sweeteners like raw honey and maple syrup, which can still affect blood sugar levels if taken in excessive amounts.
- Consider cutting back grains, especially gluten-containing grains. These contain large amounts of carbohydrates that are broken down into sugar within a few minutes of consumption.
For people living with diabetes, did you know that glucose monitoring can be made easier with the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system*? This system eliminates the need for finger pricks** and allows the individual to monitor their glucose readings quickly and easily.
Having tools like the FreeStyle Libre system gives my grandma peace of mind and empowers her to live her best life while managing her diabetes.
Have more questions about using the FreeStyle Libre system? Let me know in the comments below! You can also visit MyFreeStyle.ca for more information.
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* The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older with diabetes mellitus. Always read and follow the label/insert.
** A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the system or when symptoms do not match the system readings.
Disclaimer: The content above is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
