Are you struggling with the daily battle of diabetes? We can help you. It is completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by the daily, relentless demands of diabete. from constant blood sugar monitoring to dietary adjustments and medication management. You are not alone in this, and there are structured, proven ways to regain control and make the battle much easier.
Having lived with Type 1 Diabetes for more than four (4) decades I encourage xou to start small with changing your lifestyle. The first step to living long with diabetes is to accept that you are living with the condition. Give yourself permission to feel overwhelmed without judgment; it is a normal reaction. Accept that currently there is no cure for diabetes. Familiarise yourself with the fact that you have to take your prescribed pills or insulin correctly, every day as prescribed by the doctors.
Eat healthy. A balanced diet of nutrient-dense vegetables broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes and leafy greens spinach and cabbage are good when taking with brown rice, mabele pap and chicken. It is important to not cheat on your medication. Take your pills and insulin every day as prescribed by your doctor. Immediately after the doctor tells you that you have diabetes, it is important to cut or reduce eating food with sugar, e.g chocolates, sweets, cakes, soft drinks or energy drinks.
Make sure that people who are close to you (family members, colleagues at work or friends) are aware that you are living with diabetes. Teach them about your condition so that if the sugar drops or you experience any unexpected complication in their presence, they can act fast by calling emergency services.
Diabetes can be stressful if you don’t have information about it. But once you sre aware of actionable steps to fight it, namely health diet, exercising or keeping the body physically active, taking medication consistently and sleeping enough, you will live long with diabetes.
About zhe author
Pitso Molemane is a senior journalist at Kaya FM and has lived over 40 years with Type 1 Diabetes
