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Asparagus Is Good for Diabetes: Find Out Why | ADS

Asparagus-Diabetes-Health

It’s a good idea for people with diabetes to eat lots of vegetables, and one of the best veggies for diabetes is asparagus! Learn why asparagus is a diabetes superfood and how you can add it to your diabetes diet.

Did your parents constantly tell you to “eat your veggies” when you were younger? You might not have enjoyed hearing this as a child, especially if you were a picky eater – but there’s a good reason why it’s such a classic piece of advice. Increased vegetable intake can improve just about anyone’s health, and that’s especially true for people living with diabetes. Veggies are a nutritious source of carbohydrates, and they often come packed with valuable fiber, nutrients, and vitamins.

There’s no denying that asparagus is one of the healthiest vegetables out there, whether you have diabetes or not. And if you are living with diabetes or are trying to reduce your diabetes risk, there’s reason to believe this delicious vegetable can help! Read on to find out what makes asparagus so amazing.

asparagus-lowers-blood-sugar

Asparagus May Help Fight Diabetes

According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, adding asparagus to your diet might help you keep diabetes symptoms under control. This study, performed at Pakistan’s Karachi University, looked at rats with diabetes. Half of the rat population received asparagus extract for a month, while the other half received glibenclamide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. The result: Small amounts of the asparagus extract appeared to help with blood sugar control. More significant amounts had the same effect – and the benefit of increased insulin production.

Better yet, this study supports previous research done on the topic of asparagus and diabetes. Another study, which appeared in the British Medical Journal in 2006, found that asparagus consumption was linked to an 81-percent increase in the body’s ability to use glucose.

Even More Asparagus Health Benefits

On its own, the link between asparagus and improved diabetes control would be enough of a reason to put this vegetable on your plate. But the health perks of asparagus don’t stop there! When you make a point of eating asparagus regularly, you’ll also get:

  • High levels of folate. One 5.3-ounce serving of asparagus delivers 60 percent of your recommended daily allowance of folacin. The vitamin folate is important for making red blood cells and for cell division.
  • Low in calories and with countless nutrients. Asparagus boasts fiber, thiamin, vitamins A, B6, and K – just to name a few.
  • Good source of antioxidants. Asparagus is rich in Vitamins C and E, and the antioxidants called flavonoids and polyphenols.
  • Antioxidants have been shown to prevent the accumulation of free radicals and may reduce chronic disease.
  • Can improve digestive health. Asparagus is high in insoluble fiber which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements. It also contains small amounts of soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel like substance in the digestive tract.
  • Lots of minerals. While asparagus is known for its iron and copper content, you’ll also get a bit of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese from this vegetable. Since it can help lower blood pressure, potassium is vital for treating diabetes.

Asparagus Nutritional Values

Are you looking for the nutritional values for asparagus? Here they are:

Serving size 1 cup
Calories 27
Protein 3 grams
Carbohydrates 5 grams
Fat 0 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 3 milligrams
Potassium 271 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 3 grams
Protein 6 percent DV
Vitamin A 20 percent DV
Vitamin C 12 percent DV
Iron 16 percent DV
Vitamin B6 5 percent DV

Adding Asparagus to Your Diabetes Diet is Easy

If you’re like many people, eating more vegetables is easier said than done – especially if you have bad memories of eating asparagus as a kid. Still, if you take the time to prepare it right, asparagus can be as delicious as it is nutritious.

Give one of these ideas a try: asparagus-is-healthy-for-diabetes

  • Add asparagus spears to soups, omelets, casseroles, and pasta.
  • Serve steamed asparagus with some parmesan and olive oil drizzled on top.
  • For extra protein and a unique flavor, eat asparagus along with pistachios or other nuts.
  • Make a healthy, delicious appetizer by grilling asparagus stalks with onions and macadamia nut oil.
  • Try stir-frying asparagus, along with sesame seeds, pepper, ginger, and garlic for added flavor.

Control Diabetes with Asparagus – And ADS

Whether asparagus is already one of your favorite vegetables or you haven’t eaten it in years, it’s always a bright idea to use this veggie the next time you cook dinner. When you do, you’ll be able to appreciate how it’s helping you manage your diabetes!

Along with eating a healthy diet, a crucial part of diabetes management is ensuring you have the diabetes supplies you need. Whether you use insulin, glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, or other supplies, you can count on ADS to ship them to you as quickly and reliably as possible!

 

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4 Types of Diabetes: Which Are You? | ADS

Which-type-of-diabetes-do-you-have

Chances are, you’ve heard people talk about “diabetes” as if it’s a diagnosis where “everyone” living with diabetes shares the same symptoms, traits, and complications. In casual conversation, that’s understandable since each type of diabetes is related to problems with blood glucose. However, if you’re living with diabetes, you might need more information to work with – even talking about diabetes as a disease with two “types” is an oversimplification.

Are you wondering where you can learn more about the different types of diabetes? You’re in luck: in this article, the pros at ADS will help you learn more about all four types of diabetes and their defining factors.

The 4 Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Though it isn’t the most common form of diabetes these days, type 1 diabetes is still a condition you should be familiar with. Type 1 diabetes (previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, however it can develop at any age. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2—approximately 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1.

In America, nearly 1.6 million people have type 1 diabetes including about 187,000 children and adolescents as of 2018 per the American Diabetes Association.

People with type 1 diabetes begin experiencing symptoms due to problems with insulin production in the pancreas. When the pancreas can’t make insulin in sufficient quantities (or at all), glucose cannot enter cells like it usually would. That results in glucose buildup in the bloodstream causing high blood sugar which is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.

T1d-juvenile-testing-blood-glucose

We’re still not sure what triggers type 1 diabetes, but we know it is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells.

This autoimmune reaction can cause a person’s immune system to treat healthy body parts as a threat and attack them.

If you think you might have type 1 diabetes, look out for common symptoms such as unusually frequent urination, unexplained mood swings, increased thirst or hunger, and blurred vision. Untreated type 1 diabetes can lead to many complications like vision problems, and high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and poor circulation.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, there is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. The most effective treatment method for this disease is regular insulin injections and depending on your situation, you may use a standard needle or an insulin pump for these injections. Type 1 diabetes is also managed by following your doctor’s recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle, managing your blood sugar, getting regular health checkups, and seeking diabetes self-management education and support.

Type 2 Diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that more than 34 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it. Like type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes involves excessive blood sugar levels. However, the cause of this situation differs between the two “main” diabetes types. Many people with type 2 diabetes can produce enough insulin for their bodies. Despite this, they can run into problems with insulin resistance – that is, their cells cannot use insulin as effectively as they should. Eventually, the pancreas can’t meet this increased need for insulin, and blood glucose levels increase as a result.

diabetes-type-2-continuous-glucose-monitor

There are several factors known to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Some risk factors include being overweight, an inactive lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, age, and ethnicity. Though many of these factors are out of one’s control, a person can lower their diabetes risk by addressing others.

Many symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes are similar to those seen in type 1 diabetes. In some (but not all) cases, these symptoms don’t develop as quickly in type 2 diabetes as they do in type 1. Meanwhile, some potential complications of type 2 diabetes are sleep apnea, nerve and organ damage, skin problems, and dementia.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, people can decrease their likelihood of type 2 diabetes by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include getting increased levels of physical activity, eating a balanced diet, making an effort to lose weight, and not staying inactive for extended periods. Treatment of type 2 diabetes focuses on taking similar steps and administering medication if and when needed. Plus, you’ll need to check your blood sugar regularly. Ask your doctor how often you should check it and what your target blood sugar levels should be.

Gestational Diabetes

The term “gestational diabetes” refers to diabetes initially diagnosed during pregnancy.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that every year, 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes. Since it poses unique health challenges to expecting mothers and their children, you’ll want to have some understanding of gestational diabetes.

The precise cause of gestational diabetes is currently a mystery. What is known about the cause of gestational diabetes is that a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by other hormones produced during pregnancy that can make insulin less effective, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Gestational diabetic symptoms usually disappear following delivery.

Unlike other types of diabetes, most women dealing with gestational diabetes don’t have noticeable symptoms, though increased thirst levels and urination are among the symptoms that can appear. With this in mind, it’s imperative to keep an eye out for risk factors like having gestational diabetes or prediabetes in the past, having given birth to a baby weighing over nine pounds before, and extra weight (pre-pregnancy).

Since gestational diabetes is so closely related to pregnancy, it stands to reason that its complications can affect both mothers and children. Expecting mothers may find themselves dealing with high blood pressure (including preeclampsia), an increased likelihood of a C-section, and more significant risks of gestational diabetes and getting type 2 diabetes in the future. Meanwhile, their children may have an early birth, heavy birthweight, low blood sugar, breathing problems, or a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes down the line.

Your doctor will test for gestational diabetes when you become pregnant. If you get diagnosed with this condition, you’ll have to monitor your blood sugar and make lifestyle changes, which can include eating a healthy diet and getting moderate exercise regularly. Along with this, you may need insulin therapy.

Prediabetes

Technically, prediabetes isn’t a distinct type of diabetes. Instead, it’s a condition where a person has elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t quite high enough to qualify as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is far from uncommon since over one in three Americans is believed to have it. However, it doesn’t always have distinct symptoms, so over 84 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have this condition.

Prediabetes can be diagnosed with a blood sugar test. If you have this condition, it doesn’t mean a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is inevitable later on. Instead, you can significantly lower your type 2 diabetes risk by losing weight, increasing your physical activity level for example getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity. That’s just 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and making some healthy changes to your diet.

Let Us Help You Fight Diabetes

ADS can make living with diabetes more manageable – no matter what diabetes type you have. We serve customers across the country, and we can work with your medical team to make getting the supplies you need a breeze. Choose us for insulin pumps, CGM systems, and any other diabetes-related products!

 

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Advice For Newly Diagnosed Diabetics

Diabetic Advice

For those newly diagnosed with diabetes, we are here to help. Diabetes is a lot to live with, but really, it is manageable! In this article we’ll define a few terms about diabetes and provide a few basic tips to help keep you on track.

Meet An Endocrinologist

For the newly diagnosed the first thing to do is get a good doctor, if possible an endocrinologist, who is a doctor that specializes in diabetes. Have the doctor give you the tests that all people with diabetes are familiar with: the A1C. This test is vital to managing diabetes and the A1C number is an important stat for those managing diabetes to know. Simply put, an A1C is the 3-month average of one’s blood sugar levels.

using-a-glucometer Next, the doctor will prescribe a blood glucose meter, test strips, and lancets so blood glucose levels can be read at home. In most states, if you have a prescription for them they must be covered under your insurance policy. Test as often as the doctor says to or even more if you can afford more strips. The more you test, the more knowledge you will gain, and that will allow you to make better decisions regarding your care.

Find A Community

Learning about diabetes on the internet and through books will give you even more power over the disease. Don’t hesitate to “network” with others living with diabetes. Even from afar, getting support from others in the trenches with you will help stave off feelings of isolation and provide helpful advice from other who get it.

  • America Diabetes Association The ADA is great source of knowledge and support for those living with diabetes.
  • Centers for Disease Control The CDC has an extremely helpful diabetes hub and will keep you informed on the latest in medications and threats to your health.
  • Facebook Of course, Facebook has a wealth of private groups that make it simple to ask questions and receive crowd-sourced answers from those living with diabetes. Simply search for “diabetes” in Facebook’s search bar and you’ll be instantly connected with others dealing with similar diabetes-related issues.

Three Main Diabetes Management Tips

Besides this, everything that you can do to bring your diabetes under control falls under three headings, listed here.

1. Exercise daily.

Exercise is one of the simplest ways to manage diabetes. The CDC recommends that those with diabetes exercise daily for at least 20 minutes. That can be a daily walk, yoga, or other light activities. Start small and just concentrate on listening to your body and elevating your heart rate for 20 minutes. It really makes a difference! Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting an exercise routine.

2. Track what you eat.

Know how the food you eat impacts your blood sugar. You’ll find that eating fewer calories improves blood sugar even before any weight loss, and weight loss is usually a beneficial side effect of eating less. Try using a phone app like Fooducate to make it easier to track caloric intake.

3. Follow the doctor’s orders.

For some people living with diabetes, tips one and two aren’t enough. Take the medicine or insulin that the doctor prescribes and pay attention to their management advice. In between appointments write down any unanswered questions or thoughts that you have about your diabetes care in a journal so you can make the most of your doctor’s visits.

We hope this helps those newly diagnosed with diabetes feel a sense of control. Remember that Advanced Diabetes Supply offers a wealth of helpful information, products, and help, including on-staff Certified Diabetes Educators. Join our Facebook page to stay connected and to learn more!

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Exercise A Key Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes

Blood sugar control: Exercise helps to lower blood sugar in two ways. First of all, exercise decreases insulin resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Secondly, exercise increases glucose disposal. An exercising muscle simply uses more sugar than a resting muscle.

Weight control: Besides burning glucose, exercise burns fat, which helps with weight control. Excess body fat increases insulin resistance and worsens type 2 diabetes. Achieving and maintaining a reasonable weight is a key to preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

Blood sugar control: Exercise helps to lower blood sugar in two ways. First of all, exercise decreases insulin resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Secondly, exercise increases glucose disposal. An exercising muscle simply uses more sugar than a resting muscle.

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Beware of Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

diabetes-hypertension

A majority of people with diabetes will have to deal with high blood pressure – and this condition can make the complications of diabetes worse. Discover the connections between hypertension and diabetes and find out how you can control high blood pressure.

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Diabetes & Pregnancy Twice As Important

Pregnancy (Diabetes during Pregnancy) is a wondrous and exciting time. Itís a time of change, both physically and emotionally. With the proper attention and prenatal medical care, most women with diabetes can enjoy their pregnancies and welcome a healthy baby into their lives.

Why Tight Blood Sugar Control Is Critically Important for women with Diabetes During Pregnancy

Blood sugar control is important from the first week of pregnancy all the way until delivery. Organogenesis takes place in the first trimester. Uncontrolled blood sugar during the early weeks of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, and birth defects. (Women donít develop gestational diabetes until later in pregnancy, which means they don’t share these early pregnancy risks.)

Later in the pregnancy, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause fetal macrosomia, which may lead to shoulder dystocia, fractures, and the need for Cesarean section deliveries. Very high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of stillbirth.

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Diabetes & Your Weight: Weight Matters

It’s time to learn about the factors and relationship between weight and diabetes that may be standing between a person living with diabetes and a healthier weight. In this piece, we will talk about why weight matters when managing diabetes.

What is the link between type 2 diabetes and body weight?

Diabetes and obesity are closely related. Excess body weight should be taken seriously and is just one risk factor for type 2 diabetes, along with your family history, diet, physical activity level and more.

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, more than 90 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity.

While it is true that obesity can lead to diabetes, it is important to understand the link between insulin and weight. Insulin plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels and converting food energy into fat. It also helps break down fats and proteins. During digestion, insulin stimulates muscle, fat, and liver cells to absorb glucose. The cells either use this glucose for energy or convert it into fat for long-term storage. Eating more calories than the body needs will lead to excess glucose levels. If the cells do not remove glucose from the blood, the body will store it in the tissues as fat resulting in weight gain.

older-couple-cooking-together

Understanding insulin resistance

The American Diabetes Association explains that people with insulin resistance, also known as impaired insulin sensitivity, have a built up a tolerance to insulin, making the hormone less effective. As a result, more insulin is needed to persuade fat and muscle cells to take up glucose and the liver to continue to store it.

The problem is that When you have type 2 diabetes, your body isn’t as receptive to insulin as it once was. This means that the insulin can’t filter out the glucose in your blood. Our bodies respond by making more insulin to combat this. Insulin also works to promote fat storage and block the release of fat from fat storage. So instead of losing weight, you keep gaining, thanks to all that insulin. The American Diabetes Association continues to explain that this is why people with type 2 diabetes tend to have elevated levels of circulating insulin. Over time, insulin resistance can get worse, and the pancreatic beta cells that make insulin can wear out. Eventually, the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin to overcome the cells’ resistance. The result is higher blood sugar levels, and ultimately prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Now if a person is identified as being pre-diabetic, the first thing their physician will recommend is weight loss to assist the body in absorbing insulin and lower the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you’re likely to hear the same thing: lose weight and change your lifestyle to stay healthy! To reduce the risk of weight gain with diabetes, it is important to manage glucose levels through a healthy diet and exercise.

Can losing weight reverse a type 2 diabetes diagnosis?

While T2D (type 2 diabetes) is incurable, it is possible to manage the disease through lifestyle changes, including (you guessed it) losing weight! By following a healthy diet, food portion control, and with increased physical activity you can manage diabetes. Also, taking steps to lose weight will move individuals living with type 2 diabetes in a positive direction.

How to stay at a healthy weight when you have diabetes.

When trying to maintain a healthy weight, there are a few simple things that you can do to help.

Eat well

  • It is important that people with diabetes keep track of how many calories they are consuming and which foods they are eating daily.
  • Never cut calories by skipping meals.
  • For variety, try to find fun and healthy alternatives for your everyday meals by using recipe websites online.
  • Try to stay away from refined carbohydrates. It can feel like there’s nothing better than a big bowl of pasta or warm garlic bread, but these are sure fire ways to mess up your blood sugar. Try whole grains like brown rice and quinoa instead. Focus on whole foods instead of highly processed foods. Also, keeping track of how many carbohydrates you eat and setting a limit for each meal can help keep your blood sugar levels in your target range. Work with your doctor or a registered dietitian to find out how many carbs you can eat each day and at each meal.

Watch your weight and waist size

  • Measure your weight and waist size. This way, you can make notes of changes and know if your diet and lifestyle are working out positively.
  • Remember, a healthy waist circumference depends on gender. The recommendations are:
    • less than 80cm (31.5 in) for all women
    • less than 94cm (37 in) for most men

Plan ahead

  • If you plan your meals, workouts, and weigh-ins ahead of time, it is far less likely for you to slip up.
  • Make a schedule or a calendar so that you can see progress from week to week. This can help motivate you to continue to reach your goals.
  • When daily obstacles occur in your planning, think about backup meal plans for example if you work late and don’t have time to make dinner when you get home.

Exercise! exercise-to-maintain-healthy-weight

  • Physical activity can not only help you lose weight but also make you feel better.
  • This can be one of the hardest things to start, so starting slow is ok. Just make sure that you are showing improvement each week.
  • Try to switch up the activities you do so that you do not get bored of one thing. It can make it easier to continue working out long term. A daily walk is a great way to start, but then you can mix in low impact activities like swimming, yoga, dancing, or Pilates.

What is considered a healthy weight?

Obesity is when you carry excess body fat. It involves both the size and amount of fat cells. Defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Obesity is considered a BMI of 30 or above”. Morbid obesity is over 40. BMI (body mass index) is “weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared”. When looking at what a healthy weight is for a person with diabetes, let’s look at the figures from the CDC, based on the BMI Index Chart.

bmi-chart

Per the CDC, a normal BMI is between 18.5-24.9

If you want to calculate your BMI follow the link here!

Input versus Output

If the calories you eat are roughly equal to the calories you burn, then theoretically, you will stay about the same weight. When caloric intake exceeds the body’s requirements, excess calories are stored as fat.

One pound of body fat stores roughly 3,500 calories! Ouch! Getting rid of one pound of body fat requires using 3,500 calories out of storage. That won’t happen in a day. Weight takes time to put on and takes time to take off. A caloric deficit of 500 calories per day can mean losing one pound per week. To achieve this, it’s best to combine caloric restriction with increased energy expenditure through regular exercise. A suggested rate of weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. Health benefits can be realized with even modest amounts of weight loss.

Small dietary changes can make a difference over time. Giving up 150 calories per day saves you 54,750 calories per year! (150 calories is the number of calories in either 1-ounce of regular potato chips or 12 ounces of regular soda.) When cutting back on calories, be sure to eat a varied and well-balanced diet. You still need the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals.

The Plate Method

Plate-Method-For-Eating-Right It’s easy to eat more food than you need without realizing it. The plate method is a simple, visual way to make sure you get enough non-starchy vegetables and lean protein while limiting the amount of higher-carbohydrate foods you eat that have the highest impact on your blood sugar.

Even a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars.

Behavior Change Tips

  • Create a strategy for making a change.
  • Predict challenges and devise a plan to overcome them.
  • Act on your plan.
  • Get support, if needed.
  • Evaluate your progress.
  • Don’t get discouraged, and don’t give up! Stay positive.
  • Refine your plan or make changes to your plan as needed.

Kicking Off the Healthy T2D Lifestyle

We hope this piece gave you some concrete tips to get started! Remember starting small is fine and that little every day changes can lead to big results in your type 2 diabetes management. Don’t forget that you can always work with Advanced Diabetes Supply for all of your diabetes testing needs. We are here to help!

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Blood Glucose Numbers | What They Mean & How to Stay in Range

using-a-glucometer-to-check-blood-sugar-levels

Part of managing diabetes is understanding your blood glucose levels and knowing your ideal range. More time spent in range yields health benefits and can help prevent long-term problems like heart disease, loss of vision, and other diseases. Here we break down everything you need to know about blood glucose numbers, ideal ranges based by age, and methods to test at home with glucometers.

What is Blood Sugar?

Let’s start with the basics. Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat and is your body’s main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all your body’s cells to use for energy.

How Does Blood Sugar Impact Diabetes?

Too much sugar in the blood could cause many different problems in your body, including heart disease, kidney damage, blindness, and loss of feeling in your feet and hands. In this piece, we will talk about the specifics of blood glucose and the different ways to test and manage your blood glucose levels.

What is a Blood Glucose Number?

Your blood glucose number or blood sugar level is the concentration of sugar in your blood at any given time. People diagnosed with diabetes are at risk for high blood glucose levels, and over the years, these high levels can lead to problems and negatively impact one’s health. It is vital to keep your blood glucose in the normal range. The next time you visit your doctor, ask to have an HbA1c test. This is the test that will tell you what your average blood sugar level has been, overall, for the last three months. There’s no one-size-fits-all target when it comes to numbers. A1C target levels can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target may be different from someone else’s. The goal for most adults with diabetes is an A1C that is less than 7%. A1C test results are reported as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. What’s your number? The American Diabetes Association suggests an A1C of 7 percent for nonpregnant adults, but more or less stringent glycemic goals may be appropriate for each individual.

Normal Blood Glucose Ratings

So, what is a normal blood sugar range? Well, that depends on your age, time of day and how recently you last ate. Check out the age grouping below for the normal range and helpful tips.
Blood sugar testing provides useful information for diabetes management. It can help you:

  • Monitor the effect of diabetes medications on blood sugar levels
  • Identify blood sugar levels that are high or low
  • Learn how diet and exercise affect blood sugar levels
  • Understand how other factors, such as illness or stress, affect blood sugar levels
  • Track your progress in reaching your overall treatment goals

Your doctor will let you know how often to check your blood sugar levels. The frequency of testing usually depends on the type of diabetes you have and your treatment plan. Talk with your health care team about what blood sugar numbers are right for you.

Blood Sugar Range for Baby-Toddlers

  • Kids ages 6 and younger should have blood glucose ratings be in the range of about 80 to 200 mg/dL each day.
  • This range is considered healthy, however, the amount of glucose in a child’s body can fluctuate throughout the day from when they wake up, to after meals, and again at bedtime.
  • See the blood glucose numbers chart below for more specific ranges related to testing and pre and post mealtimes.

Blood Sugar Range for Kids-Tweens

  • Kids aged 6 to 12 should have blood sugar levels that range between 80 to 180 mg/dL over a day.
  • If needed, try to limit snacks before bed to keep a child’s blood sugar from rising too much before bedtime.

Blood Sugar Range for Teens

  • Teenagers should have average blood sugar levels that range between 70 to 150 mg/dL over their day.
  • This can be one of the most challenging times to manage diabetes because of the responsibility and discipline needed. Teenagers must be very diligent in watching what they eat, exercise regularly, and strictly adhere to prescribed medications to stay in control of their blood sugar levels.

Let’s take a look at some sample readings and what they indicate.

Blood Glucose Numbers Chart For Children

AGE FASTING RANGE BEFORE MEAL 1-2 HOURS AFTER MEAL              BEDTIME
0-6  80 -180 mg/dL 100-180 mg/dL Less than 180 mg/dL 110-200 mg/dL
6-12 80-180 mg/dL 90-180 mg/dL Up to 140 mg/dL 100-180 mg/dL
13-19 70-150 mg/dL 90-130 mg/dL Up to 140 mg/dL                     90-150 mg/dL

Blood Sugar Range for Adults

  • Adults who are 20 years or older will have blood sugar levels that range between 100-180 mg/dL over a day.
  • For adults struggling with blood sugar control, reach out to your doctor or healthcare provider for a treatment plan to help you manage your glucose levels.
  • It is important to know that some people may not feel the symptoms of high blood sugar or hyperglycemia until their levels are at 250 mg/dL or higher.

Blood Glucose Numbers Chart For Adults

AGE FASTING RANGE BEFORE MEALS 1-2 HOURS AFTER MEAL RANGE    BEDTIME
20-Up Less than 100 mg/dL 80-130 mg/dL Less than 180 mg/dL 100-140 mg/dL

Tips to Increase Time In Range (TIR)

  • Watch your carbohydrate intake, especially with refined carbohydrates like white flour breads, pasta and sweets which can wreak havoc on your blood sugar. Include whole grains, and more non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and green beans.
  • This is commonly known, but sugar intake will always raise your readings. Eat sweets in small portions and use sugar substitutes when you can.
  • Watch your weight! Weight can be an overall indicator of your body’s health so be sure to stay in the range recommended by your physician.
  • Exercise daily. The American Diabetes Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Just 20 minutes a day of light aerobic activity has been proven to lower blood sugar and allows the body to absorb insulin more efficiently.
  • Drink more water. When you don’t drink enough water, the glucose in your bloodstream becomes more concentrated. And that leads to higher blood sugar levels. Both mild and severe dehydration can have a notable impact on your diabetes.

How To Administer A Blood Glucose Test using-a-glucometer

There are different ways to check your blood sugar. The most common way to test is the old-fashioned way of poking your finger and then using a strip to test the blood in a blood glucose meter called a glucometer. It is important that you prick the side of your finger and not squeeze it to draw more blood. Instead, you can point your finger down and let the blood flow out.

Tools To Administer A Blood Glucose Test

Accu-Chek Guide:

The Image of Accu-Chek Guide Reader

This glucometer is one of the most modern and easy to use in the industry. The Accu-Chek comes equipped with a strip ejector as well as high visible lighting. This allows you to test in darker places and dispose of your strips easily. It is known for its accuracy and consistency when it comes to testing your blood glucose. Also, it features a smartphone app connecting your test results to your phone, so all of your previous tests and dates are stored right there on your phone, giving you the freedom to check on the go.

 

 

OneTouch Verio Reflect: 

OneTouch Verio Flex Reader

 

Wanting a glucometer that will help you properly manage your blood glucose? The OneTouch Verio Reflect is the first and only glucometer with a blood sugar mentor feature.  This feature provides personalized insight for the patient as well as encouragement to deal with your blood glucose appropriately.  It also comes with the ColorSure dynamic range indicator making it easy for people to interpret their results.  The OneTouch Verio Reflect also connects to the OneTouch Reveal App, allowing you to store your results and data directly onto your smartphone.

 

 

Nova Max Plus:

The Image of Nova Max Plus Glucose Meter

The Nova Max Plus is one of the most convenient glucometers on the market. It is known for being quick, smart, and simple.  It comes with great features such as fast testing time, small blood samples, no coding, low cost, and a large 400 test memory.

Not only that, but when the Nova Max System includes:

  • Nova Max Plus Meter with the battery included
  • 10 Nova Max glucose testing strips
  • 10 Nova Max lancelets
  • Day case

Advanced Diabetes Supply is Here to Help!

We know that keeping blood sugar in check can sound daunting at first. Just remember that the tips in this article are steps that you can take today to increase your time in range. If you have questions, you can always reach out to our on-staff Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. At Advanced Diabetes Supply we’re proud to offer all of the glucometers listed above, plus diabetes testing supplies and continuous glucose monitors. Contact us to get started today!

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Eat Sardines For Good Health

Sardines Provide Healthy Nutrients For Diabetes

The history of sardines (Sardines Good for Diabetics) go way back in time, but it was the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who helped to popularize these little fish by initiating the canning of sardines, the first fish ever to be canned, in order to feed the citizens of the land over which he presided. Sardines are named after Sardinia, the Italian island where large schools of these fish were once found.

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Foods To Eat For Healthy Hair

Healthy Hair

Do you crave beautiful, strong hair? Hair and skin are great markers of overall health. Vibrant hair depends on a balanced diet. Healthy hair depends on the body’s ability to construct a proper hair shaft, as well as the health of the skin and follicles. Eating Food For Healthy Hair daily and good nutrition assures the best environment for building strong, lustrous hair.

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