I have been compensated by Glucerna for this post; however, I am sharing my own thoughts. All opinions are my own. Talk with your health care provider about a diabetes management plan that’s right for you. #GlucernaHungerSmart #CollectiveBias
Do you or someone you know have diabetes? Unfortunately both my dad and grandpa have had diabetes for years, and a few years ago I was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic. According to my doctor, being pre-diabetic means I have to be very careful with my diet and live a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent myself from developing diabetes. He informed me that if I stopped exercising or ate unhealthy I would develop diabetes. Geez! That scared the heck out of me!
Since diabetes is prevalent not just in my family but worldwide, I thought it may be helpful to share three steps I take to live a healthy lifestyle in order to not develop diabetes.
As I mentioned before, a one key step to managing diabetes is exercise. Determine an exercise schedule that works for you. I try to workout four times a week. This includes two spin classes, one cardio kickboxing class, and one day where I run on the treadmill and then finish with about twenty minutes on the Stairmaster. I also incorporate light weights on the day I run and use the Stairmaster. I recommend to consider recording the exercises you do each day to keep track of your progress and hold yourself accountable.
In addition to exercising, it is important to eat a good variety of healthy foods including a generous helping of fruits and vegetables. I’ll be honest, I am a carb girl! I would eat them all day if I could, but being a pre-diabetic means I have to monitor my carbohydrate intake since they affect my blood sugar. When my blood sugar gets out of whack I can feel light headed and nauseous. That’s no fun!
The second step I take to prevent myself from getting too hungry (and my blood sugar dropping too low) when on the go is I stash a few healthy foods in my purse before I leave the house. A few of my favorite snacks to pack are fruit, a granola bar, or crackers.
I also recently discovered Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes which are another a quick, easy and healthy snack to bring with me. I was able to pick up my Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes at Walmart. They had both chocolate and vanilla flavors available. (By the way, before you head to the store, grab this Walmart offer to buy any 2 large packs of Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes and get $3 off, while supplies last).
Since my doctor told me to focus on eating more protein than carbohydrates the Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes are a smart and sensible option for me. Each Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shake contains 15 grams of protein and they are CARBSTEADY® which means they include slowly digestible carbohydrates designed to help minimize blood sugar spikes. That’s not all, Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes are also a good source of fiber, have only 6 grams of sugar, and are an excellent source of 25 vitamins and minerals. Plus these shakes are specifically designed for people with diabetes. Love that!
Besides exercising and bringing healthy foods with me when on the go to help stabilize my blood sugar, the third step I take to keep from developing diabetes is to generally try to make smart food choices. Eating sensibly does not mean I don’t love the occasion indulgence…trust me. It just means I try to listen to my body and eat accordingly. I think this approach is wise whether you have diabetes or not.
There you have it. The three steps I take to prevent myself from developing diabetes, so I can live a full active lifestyle.
- Determine an exercise routine and commit to it
- Bring a few healthy food options when on the go
- Overall make smart food choices but allow for the occasional indulgence
Abiding by these three steps is not always easy, but knowing that’s what is best for my body is a big motivation. Plus knowing that there are delicious and healthy food choices like Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes makes sticking to a health plan like this easier. Incorporating these shakes coupled with leading a healthy, active lifestyle and making smart food choices will help you keep diabetes in check as well, so you can live your best life.
Here’s to good health!
Medical disclaimer: Use under medical supervision.
In addition to Glucerna® Hunger Smart™ Shakes, what other foods or drinks do you consume to stabilize your blood sugar? Please share in the comments.
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