Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Manage Your Blood Sugar with These Foods

healthy food
Living with Type 2 Diabetes can be challenging. If you have recently been diagnosed with this chronic condition, then you will be working with your healthcare providers to keep your blood sugar under control. One of the first steps to diabetes treatment in Rockville, MD, is to make lifestyle changes, starting with your diet.

One of the aims of diabetic treatment is to prevent blood sugar spikes. This is a condition where there is an excess of glucose in the bloodstream. Chronic blood sugar spikes can cause complications, including heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. Controlling what you eat and how much can allow you to avoid them.

What to Eat?

Generally speaking, physicians and dietitians recommend people going through diabetes treatment to eat fewer carbohydrates--and its partner in crime, sugar. You can start by cutting out foods with refined grains, like white bread or enriched pasta. Milk and sugary desserts should also be avoided.

With that out of the way, there is still plenty of foods you can eat and enjoy. Vegetables and leafy greens can add flavor to any dish. They are also high in fiber and nutrients.

Instead of reaching for a soda, try fruit-infused water. There are many varieties of tea and herbal infusions that can take the place of fruit juices and sports drinks.

While we may have told you to drop refined grains, it doesn’t mean you have to give up on bread entirely. Go for breads, cereals, and pastas that are comprised mostly of whole grains (check the ingredient list!). The body digests whole grains differently from their refined counterparts, which reduces the chance of a blood sugar spike.

Aside from choosing the right types of food to eat during diabetes treatment, it is also important to control how much you eat. Talk with your physician or a dietitian to get more advice on healthy foods.

Monday, January 25, 2021

Here Are Some Tips to Help You Stop Smoking When You’re Ready to Quit

two cigarettes on a pile of tobacco
Kicking tobacco to the curb is one of the best things you can do for your health, plus your wallet will thank you. However, quitting is easier said than done. Here are some tips for smoking cessation from Rockville, MD doctors to help you on your journey to breathing easier.

Find Your Motivation: Smoking is more than a habit; it’s an addiction. To beat your cravings, you’ll need to keep your reasons for quitting at top of your mind. Whether you want to get healthier, stop exposing your loved ones to secondhand smoke, or save money, remind yourself about your motivation option.

Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy or Prescription Help: Modern medicine offers many smoking cessation aids. Nicotine replacement therapies like gum, lozenges, and patches help you ward off the unpleasant symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. In addition, there are prescription pills that may help curb your urges; talk to a doctor to learn more.

Discover New Ways to Relax: Many people smoke to deal with stress. If you find yourself craving a cigarette during hard times, try exploring new ways to relax, like working out, breathing exercises, or even fidget toys. Everyone responds to different things, so experiment until you find what works for you.

Avoid Your Triggers: Part of addiction is psychological, so your smoking cessation efforts will be more successful if you identify what drives your urges. For example, some people have a habit of smoking after meals or around certain people. Instead, you could try picking up a new routine for those situations or avoiding them altogether if possible.