Managing Diabetes
Managing and Living with Diabetes: A Guide to a Healthier Lifestyle
Diabetes is a common and potentially fatal medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. When the body is unable to produce or effectively use insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, the disease occurs. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels and a variety of serious health problems if not properly managed. In the US alone, it is estimated that 11% of the population are diabetic and a staggering 38% more are pre-diabetic. combined, half the country is either pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Diabetes is a common and potentially fatal medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. When the body is unable to produce or effectively use insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, the disease occurs. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels and a variety of serious health problems if not properly managed. In the US alone, it is estimated that 11% of the population are diabetic and a staggering 38% more are pre-diabetic. combined, half the country is either pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Diabetes is categorically classified into two types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that usually appears in childhood and requires daily insulin injections for management. Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form of diabetes, is typically hereditary and often related to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor diet and lack of physical activity. The great news is that with proper knowledge, management and lifestyle changes, people with diabetes can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. As founders of AlluSoda, we both have a family history of Type 2 diabetes and were pre-diabetic. Reducing sugar in our diet, trying to eat a bit more balanced diet and getting some exercise has helped us lower our blood sugar levels to no longer be pre-diabetic. One of the biggest sacrifices was giving up soda. Hence, our desire to create a craft soda that tasted great but was zero glycemic index. We sometimes joke that we started this company just so we could create a drink we enjoyed personally :)
Eating Well and Exercise: The Cornerstones of Diabetes Management
A vital component of effectively managing diabetes is adopting a wholesome, well-balanced diet. It entails cutting back on the amount of processed and sugary meals you eat while upping your intake of wholesome foods like whole grains, lean protein sources, fresh fruits, and leafy greens. The stabilization of blood sugar levels in diabetics is facilitated by maintaining a steady eating pattern with regular meals throughout the day.
Regular physical activity is essential for diabetes management, in addition to a healthy diet. Regular exercise not only helps control blood sugar levels, but it also improves cardiovascular health, increases insulin sensitivity, and aids in weight loss efforts. A nutritious diet combined with physical activity can greatly improve the overall health of people with diabetes and help them live more fulfilling lives.
Eating Well and Exercise: The Cornerstones of Diabetes Management
A vital component of effectively managing diabetes is adopting a wholesome, well-balanced diet. It entails cutting back on the amount of processed and sugary meals you eat while upping your intake of wholesome foods like whole grains, lean protein sources, fresh fruits, and leafy greens. The stabilization of blood sugar levels in diabetics is facilitated by maintaining a steady eating pattern with regular meals throughout the day.
Regular physical activity is essential for diabetes management, in addition to a healthy diet. Regular exercise not only helps control blood sugar levels, but it also improves cardiovascular health, increases insulin sensitivity, and aids in weight loss efforts. A nutritious diet combined with physical activity can greatly improve the overall health of people with diabetes and help them live more fulfilling lives.
If you suspect you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, please do consult with your doctor and they can help do a proper diagnosis and provide guidance for your specific situation. If you monitor your blood sugar levels, taking a reading in the morning after fasting for 8-12 hours:
- Healthy = below 100mg/dL
- Pre-Diabetic = 101mg/dL - 125mg/dL
- Diabetic = > 125mg/dL
Your doctor will likely also do other tests like A1C or even a glucose tolerance test.
How the Body Produces and Uses InsulinThe pancreas is a gland that is situated behind the stomach and produces insulin. The pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream after we eat because our blood sugar levels increase. Insulin aids in the movement of glucose from the bloodstream to the cells, where it can be utilized as fuel. High blood sugar levels are caused by the body's inability to create or use insulin adequately in diabetics. Because people with diabetes are unable to control their blood sugar levels, it is crucial for them to manage their disease with food, exercise, and medication. For some persons with Type 2 diabetes, taking oral drugs or receiving insulin injections may be necessary to help control their blood sugar levels.
Enjoying Sweet Treats with AlluSoda!
For people living with diabetes, finding tasty sugar-free options can be a challenge. Most sugar-free alternatives have an unpleasant bitter, and artificial taste, making them unappealing. AlluSoda offers a delicious and healthy solution, with its zero-glycemic craft soda. We evaluated just about every artificial as well as natural sweeteners and wanted something that was zero glycemic and tasted great. Allulose was the winner overall and is the primary sweetener in our craft sodas.
Not only is allulose considered zero glycemic, early studies also show that it has prebiotic benefits and improves our gut microbiome and also helps regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. With AlluSoda, individuals with diabetes can now enjoy the sweet taste of a soda without the bitter aftertaste associated and harmful long term effects of most other sugar-free options.
Our company was founded because of our search for a healthier alternative to sugar based soda that was safe for diabetics that didn't compromise on taste. Our journey led us to discover allulose and not only the great taste but the health benefits for diabetics made allulose a natural choice to build our company around. So, go ahead, treat yourself to a refreshing and guilt-free soda today!
Our company was founded because of our search for a healthier alternative to sugar based soda that was safe for diabetics that didn't compromise on taste. Our journey led us to discover allulose and not only the great taste but the health benefits for diabetics made allulose a natural choice to build our company around. So, go ahead, treat yourself to a refreshing and guilt-free soda today!
