3 Ways You Can Use the Information from Your Blood Glucose Trends

People living with diabetes are familiar with checking their blood sugar levels often throughout the day.

The information you gain from your levels is definitely indicative of your body’s blood sugar, but they’re also an indicator of a few different areas of the status of your diabetes management regimen.

You can use the information from your blood glucose trends to put different care habits into place. 

1. Planning Your Exercise Wisely

When you are living with diabetes, it can be tempting to go overboard with getting fit. Exercise is vital in managing your diabetes, but it is equally important to craft each workout wisely.

Because blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day, your exercise should be planned carefully. Don’t feel overwhelmed, having an exercise routine can be accomplished. The American Diabetes Association encourages those with type 1 diabetes to balance insulin doses, the food you eat, and the activity that you choose to do.

Take time to get to know your body and how it responds to the exercise routine that you want to follow. Start slow and take small steps toward your exercise goals. Then, you can build habits around what you observe.

The truth is going to be found in the numbers. Test your glucose prior to your pre-workout meal/snack and then after exercise. These numbers are meant to motivate you by giving you control of your health. Adjust each moving piece of the equation as needed. For example, you may need to eat a heavier snack prior to working out or you may need to start by walking 3 miles rather than running. It may take time to find the perfect fit for your body. That’s ok though. The important thing is that you plan ahead and use your judgment. Just keep moving forward.

2. Medicating on Time

Your glucose levels obviously tell you when your sugar is too high or too low. Just like you have to tweak your exercise plan, your medication will need tweaking as well. Open communication with your doctor is the most important thing during the journey towards finding the right medication and dosage. Your blood glucose numbers will vary day to day, but keep a running log of these numbers so that you can communicate clearly with your doctor.

The Pops Rebel app is an effective tool here. You can monitor your blood glucose and openly share the information with your healthcare provider, who can advise you on your medication as needed.

3. Meal Planning

Knowing when to eat and how much is also an adjustment for your body when you are living with diabetes. Glucose levels are going to be your guide in perfecting the science of when to eat. This will also be affected by your activity level as we mentioned above. Diabetes is a condition that drastically varies from person to person, so your dietary needs will also be extremely personal to you. Use your numbers to determine the optimal mealtimes.

If you’re not able to eat at the times that are best for your body, plan ahead. Carry a snack or drink other than water with you so that when your body expects to receive, you can give it something. 

Bottom line, it’s all about building good habits and staying consistent. 

We are all in this together.

Your friend,

Mina