The second half of the year is usually buzzing with so many festivals and the year ends up with most of us attending at least 1-2 weddings in our circle. This gives us many reasons to indulge in our favourite foods. As a caregiver to people having diabetes in the family sometimes it becomes really difficult for me to handle the emotional aspect in these situations, and I also have to let go sometimes. Nevertheless, I ensure that these momentary distractions don’t have a huge impact on my family.
As shared with you previously that there are people with diabetes on both my family side as well as in-laws, I read a lot, follow videos to keep a tab and most importantly keep in touch with my doctor to understand latest developments in this field. During one such occasion I became familiar with the concept of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and I had brought FreeStyle Libre for my mother. This has really helped us and the physician understand her glucose fluctuations and make necessary lifestyle changes.
Recently, I was a part of the discussion about effective Diabetes Management through diet, exercise, and glucose monitoring #LivingFullyWithDiabetes. This was a very insightful and information conversation where a doctor and nutritionist shared about their experiences in Diabetes Management.
Every conversation with such experienced people from the field is a learning. Trust me, there were so many instances during the discussion when I was just nodding my head in agreement and there were so many interesting tips which I picked up. I share a few key takeaways with all.
Control what you can:
- A simple exercise routine gives a kickstart to your day and helps lower blood glucose levels and burn calories.
- Before stepping out for some work ensure you have eaten something like low carbohydrate food item or high-fibre snack. It’s advisable to carry some fruits, nuts or other healthy snacks as hunger pangs can be very tough for a person with diabetes. My father has the habit of carrying some roasted chana to munch upon while my mother likes to carry some nuts.
- To ensure that your blood glucose doesn’t fluctuate avoid skipping meals or pattern suggested by your doctor & nutritionist.
Be Flexible but Careful:
- Like I said festivals, marriages and happy times are incomplete without good food. It’s also a terrifying time as a caregiver because sometimes you must be harsh and sometimes you let go.
- While at it we can chose from what’s the best in hand. Pick up stuff which is healthier than others like high fibre food stuff, natural drinks instead of sugary or aerated drinks, fruits instead of desserts and handpicking your favourite food items.
- Again, on some occasions it a tough decision. There was one point which the nutritionist shared which became a learning. She shared two things – your brain takes at least 20 mins to process the food you are eating and secondly, that you don’t have to eat everything to be happy. She said check out all the options you have in hand and select the one which will give you most happiness, take your time and a small portion of that will suffice to satiate your heart.
Never let go of your monitoring guard:
Monitoring is the key and your best friend to give a glimpse of what’s happening to the patient as a caregiver. Never ever let your guard down in this case. For occasions when you feel that the monitoring levels need to be increased like festive occasions or even a medical situation, trust your Continuous glucose monitoring device, it will help you keep a regular tab on the glucose fluctuations, and you can take quick actions.
It was also discussed during the Facebook session, how monitoring has come a long way in the last few decades in diabetes and how we are lucky enough to have tools which enable to keep a regular check on our patient and take appropriate actions in terms of diet and medication.
Effective diabetes management lies in proper monitoring anytime and always is my mantra which gets reinforced in every discussion.
You can read more about Continuous Glucose Monitoring here.
To buy FreeStyle Libre, check this.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Make a Wish Box
************************************************************************************ Image: Pixabay Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive/for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information. Any photos displayed are for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in such photos is a model. This content was created as a part of a collaboration, however, it has been made sure that the content is helpful and provides value to the reader. ************************************************************************************
This is a great option for managing diabetes 👍🏻
Your post is very helpful. Wish there were more such posts that would help millions. My nephew just lost his leg to diabetes. Just a case of gross negligence.
Thank you for such a simple post on a complex topic. These are good practices that everyone should follow.
I feel monitoring on daily basis is the key to living fully despite having diabetes. diabetics can eat anything but when glucose is in range and more so by managing it and not just by medicines.
Very nice information and these tips are so helpful. Diabetes is surely a problem and needs to be monitored regularly. Thanks for sharing this post.
The topic is hard. And as a caregiver many things are needed to be taken care of. Your tips are efficient on this topic.
The caregiver of a diabetic person has so much responsibilities. You have enlisted some really helpful tips.
As a caregiver, I can understand how important it is to take care of every aspect of diabetic person. Your tips are really helpful.
Freestyle libre is a great product. Diabetes is a lifestyle disease and it is very important to keep on monitoring the glucose level at the sane it it is equally important to have specific diet to control glucose levels.
Diabetes can be managed through thoughtful meal choice and yes the most important aspect is regular monitoring and guidance from the doctors.
Daibetes is a tricky situation, caretakes need to be very vigilant with the right kind of care. Abstaining from the sugar isn’t the only option, but also having the knowledge of the right things is important.
As a caregiver you have to be very careful. You have menti8ned some very important mantras for caretakers and I feel FreeStyle Libre will help them achieve them.
Your post is really helpful. Besides diabtetes, most of these habits can prevent so many lifestyle diseases. I have also begun to carry some healthy munchies and water with me all the time, just to avoid all the processed foods on the go. This is for prevention only.
Very helpful post. Diabetic ia very senstive and caregiver have to take lota of precautions. My sister lost her in law due to this disease. It start with small injury to nail and ended up in cutting leg and finally death. Your post really help to lots of peoples.
My husband who was a doctor always used to say that diabetes is treated as a heart attack. That is how careful people need to be. You have shared very important information.
I personally know how important is the information you shared through this post to understand and remember. My father in law is a diabetic patient for last 35 years and now a senior citizen, but rather than few side effects like weak gums and leg pains he is enjoying a happy and satisfied life and the only reason is that he is following what all you mentioned in this post. I am sure your post will act as a guide for many suffering from diabetics and still wish to enjoy a safe and happy life.
Diet, exercise, and regular monitoring are the three most important for managing diabetes. It is more difficult for a caregiver, particularly in case of juvenile diabetes. Although the disease is almost an epidemic now, there is still not much awareness.
Diabetes can be easily controlled with a food lifestyle and proper care. This device will help in keeping constant track of glucose levels to avoid any mishaps.
This is a very useful post, will definitely like to share with others and truly I have hope people will be able to control their food and fight diabetes rather than taking insulin.
Phew! Hats off to you Manisha for managing and taking care of your parents and in laws. and thank you for sharing such helpful information. I understand how tough it must be for you to say no and the job of a care giver is also a thankless one. Your post will be helpful to 1000s of people who struggle to cope with the disease on a daily basis.
A heavy topic tackled with such simplicity and positivity. Extremely informative.
I like how you have broken it up into 3 bite size mantras for easy understanding. And all the steps are doable. Thanks.
This is a challenging subject. There are a lot of tasks that fall on the caregiver of a diabetic patient. You have compiled a collection of some pretty helpful advice. This post will surely help many suffering people with diabetes who still wish to enjoy a happy life.
Very well put together. As you rightly said, key is to self monitor and know when to ‘cheat’ and how much.
I think being a care giver is so helpful for the ones who need care because they will always be sure that they have other person to monitor and help manage disease.
I honestly feel that being a care giver is even more challenging than being the patient. I have continuously nursed my MIL during her knee surgery, cataract surgery and regular day to day activities.
So these Mantras would really be helpful for the care giver of the diabetic.
What an informative article for the care givers. My mother in law loves sweet and unfortunately she was diagnosed with diabetes last year. It has been a difficult journey for her and for all of us. The mantras that you have shared are so doable and now that we are living away from home, it has become more difficult for her to control her sugar levels. Let me check the monitoring device your are suggesting, it might help my fil to understand and monitor her sugar levels
Very important information and these tips are so helpful for everyone. In my family my dad has Diabetes and I know how are things he has to take care of. Diabetes is an important problem and needs to be monitored regularly. Thanks for sharing this post.
Managing diabetes is really something hard to deal with. I’ve got an uncle who struggled with it and was especially difficult as he loves to bake. You could imagine him still doing his passion while trying not to taste what he made. This is a very informative article!
My mother had diabetes and so does my father in law. Your post is extremely helpful and I will save it for my reference.
This is such helpful and insightful post, These tips are really helpful. Great post
Now thats a really helfull blog. something that we must follow. diabetes is really something hard to deal with and i have my grand ma suffer from it.
Very useful advice for caregivers of diabetes patients. Thanks for sharing!