What is Type 2 Diabetes??

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. It is when your body doesn't use insulin correctly. Your pancreas creates insulin, this lets your cells turn glucose into energy. When you have type 2 diabetes you create insulin but the cells don't use it correctly, that is called insulin resistance. Then the pancreas tries to make more insulin to try to get glucose into the cells. But over time it can't keep up so the sugar builds up in your blood because the glucose can not get into your blood.

Dietary Guidelines

If you have type 2 diabetes you have to watch what you eat. Below are examples of what you should eat and how much of it.

Limit total carbohydrate consumption to 45-60 grams per meal

Daily the ratio of percentage of grams in the diet for a diabetic should be: 55:20:25 (carbs:fats:protein).

No more than 180 grams of carbohydrates per day.

Your normal plate should have ¼ protein, ¼ starch, ½ non starchy vegetables.

A good example of how to watch what you eat, instead of a sandwich with white bread and normal ham . Use 2 pieces of thin sandwich bread, 2 ounces reduced-sodium lean turkey, hummus, spinach, bell pepper and mustard. Add some carrot sticks and light ranch dressing on the side.

How do you monitor blood sugar daily and long term including A1C?

To check your blood glucose level on a daily basis you use a lancing device . The test is used for diabetes management and research. To check this you need to first wash your hands, then you use the blood lancet to get a drop of blood. After that you wait for your results and whatever shows up on the screen is what your blood glucose(blood sugar) levels. Depending on what your doctor recommends normally if your a type 2 Diabetic you normal test twice a day.Before a meal your levels should be between 80–130 mg/dl , after meals it should be under 180 mg/dl . The A1C test is a blood test that provides information about a person's average levels of blood glucose. You should want your A1C level to be under 6.3.

Lifestyle and Exercise Information

Exercising helps Type 2 diabetics avoid long term problems like heart disease. When you exercise it makes it easier to control your blood glucose levels. When you start exercising make sure you have a Exercise Diary. Remember to stay hydrated and always keep a snack with you. You should want to have at least 60 min of aerobic exercises per day

It also helps:

• Lower blood pressure
• Weight Control
• Increases the level of good cholesterol
• You get leaner and stronger muscles
• Improve your mood
• you get better rest
• Stress management

Personal Stories

"I decided that I wasn't going to let type 2 diabetes take another person in my family — I was going to control it, not let it control me."

"First I needed to forgive myself for not eating right or working out. I accepted that I have type 2 diabetes and now I face it head on."

“Don’t take any shortcuts when it comes to your health.”

Click the link below to listen to a story

http://www.healthination.com/diabetes-group/true-life-story-type-1-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-facts/

Citations

By Mikel Theobald. (2014). The Best and Worst Foods for Type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved December 06, 2016, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/managing-type-2-diabetes/best-and-worst-foods/

Quick Lunch Ideas. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2016, from http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/food-tips/quick-meal-ideas/quick-lunch-ideas.html

Type 2 Diabetes and Exercise. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2016, from http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-exercise

Type 2 Diabetes and Exercise. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2016, from http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-exercise