Tips to live with and care for diabetic family members

Growing up in a family where diabetes was a part of everyday life, I quickly learned the tips and tricks needed to keep it in control. That’s how I was able to help my diabetic grandmother and my father who was diagnosed with diabetes in his mid-forties.

I grew up seeing firsthand the changes we all had to make to our lifestyles and eating habits to adapt to the new situation. And I was very conscious of diabetes and its impact on a person’s life, particularly because our family doctor said that given our family history, I also had a very high chance of getting diabetes.

So, I was always looking for a remedy.

I did several naturopathy courses, and even became a yoga teacher because I wanted to find a natural treatment – My grandmother loved to try natural remedies and test them on herself, so that gave me lots of motivation to continue my quest and find the solutions for diabetes in nature.

Thanks to all the courses I’ve taken, the books I’ve read, and my close observation of my diabetic family members, I’ve developed a few hacks to deal with diabetes.

These have worked very well for me and my family, and I hope they help you too – Let’s check them out!

Tip #1 – Start the day well

I believe starting the day well and well-hydrated solves half the problem.

So I always start the day with a glass of warm water with lemon and apple cider vinegar. This not only keeps me hydrated but also helps me keep my blood sugar level.

While I’m not a diabetic, I still try to keep my glucose curve flat to keep my energy levels up – And my father has also been following this remedy for the last 10 years, and he can feel the difference.

Tip #2 – Say no to processed food

When it comes to food, I stick to freshly cooked meals.

That doesn’t mean you can’t eat in a restaurant. It just means when you dine out, you need to choose fresh food options and order carefully.

Processed food leads to a massive glucose spike and immediately lowers energy levels.

If you have doubts about food, go for wholefood options and you can’t go wrong.

Tip #3 – Add vegetables to every meal

Including fresh vegetables with every meal can be a game-changer – The fibre in vegetables is good for your gut, and also helps keep your glucose curve flat.

In my family, it’s always been a tradition to eat a full plate of vegetables in the form of salads or steamed vegetables for lunch and dinner. And this has helped my father manage his sugar levels.

I like stir-fried or steamed vegetables, but you can go with whatever option you prefer.

Tip #4 – Choose your dessert wisely

It can be problematic if you’re a diabetic with a sweet tooth. But with time and experience, I learned that keeping your glucose curve flat can help with the cravings.

So, as well as eating fresh food and vegetables, I also eat dessert at the end of every meal. However, wherever I can I replace processed sugar with dates, honey, fruits, plant-based yoghurt, etc.

If you absolutely have to have something very sweet (like ice cream, gulab jamun, cakes, or other high-sugar foods), make sure you move afterwards. A simple 10-15 minute walk can be sufficient to keep your glucose level in control.

Tip #5 – Take extra care of your feet

When you have diabetes, it’s important to take extra special care of your feet.

In the beginning, my family didn’t know much about the risks of damage to the feet as a diabetic. But when my father developed an ulcer on his foot, I started looking into it.

If you have diabetes for a long time, it can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. Because of this loss of sensation, you might not notice wounds or pain. This is why paying attention to your feet is so important – Without the sensation of pain, it’s easy to miss injuries or wounds.

That’s what happened to my father. He broke his ankle but didn’t see a doctor straight away because he didn’t feel any pain. As a result, his foot became deformed and he now has problems walking. In addition to this, because of the ulcer on his sole, he had to get special shoes made that could adapt to his current condition.

Now, my father visits a chiropodist every 3 months to make sure his feet are healthy.

So be sure to check your feet regularly, and treat any injuries or wounds as soon as possible. This will help you decrease the risk of serious complications.

Final thoughts

Type 2 diabetes can be a lifestyle disease, and making good lifestyle choices can help you treat and manage it.

When my father was diagnosed with diabetes, my family completely changed our habits and way of living. And as well as helping me avoid diabetes so far, these changes have also helped me improve my overall health and have better energy levels.

I hope my tips help you keep your glucose level in control as well.