Contents
Foods that are high in fiber are generally good for blood sugar control. This includes beans, legumes, oats, barley, and whole wheat bread.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
There are a variety of foods that can help to lower blood sugar levels. Some of the best options include:
– leafy green vegetables
– beans and legumes
– nuts and seeds
– citrus fruits
– non-starchy vegetables
– whole grains
The glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how much a food raises blood sugar. Foods with a high GI raise blood sugar more than foods with a low GI. The GI of a food depends on many factors, including how the food is prepared, how long it is cooked, what other foods it is eaten with, and the individual’s own metabolism.
There are three categories of foods based on their GI:
Low-GI foods (55 or less): These foods raise blood sugar gradually and are good for people with diabetes. Examples include most fruits and vegetables, legumes (such as beans and lentils), and whole grains (such as oats and barley).
Medium-GI foods (56 to 69): These foods raise blood sugar somewhat more quickly than low-GI foods. Examples include whole wheat bread, quick oats, brown rice, and basmati rice.
High-GI foods (70 or more): These foods raise blood sugar very quickly. Examples include white bread, white rice, potatoes, watermelon, and corn syrup.
Foods that lower blood sugar
Foods that lower blood sugar
There are a number of foods that have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. These include foods like fiber-rich oats, avocado, greens like spinach and kale, as well as fatty fish like salmon. Adding these foods to your diet can help to keep your blood sugar under control and improve your overall health.
Foods to avoid
If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar levels under control, you might be wondering which foods to avoid. Although there isn’t a definitive list of “off-limits” foods, there are certain types of foods that tend to spike blood sugar levels. Here are some examples:
Refined carbohydrates: These include white bread, pasta, and pastries. They’re quickly broken down into sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Sugary drinks: Soda, fruit juice, and other sweetened beverages can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Stick to water or unsweetened tea and coffee instead.
Fried foods: Fried chicken, french fries, and other fried foods are high in fat and calories. They can also cause blood sugar levels to rise.
High-fat dairy products: Whole milk, cheese, and other high-fat dairy products are also high in calories and saturated fat. Choose low-fat or non-fat dairy products instead.
Tips for lowering blood sugar
When it comes to blood sugar, what you eat is more important than how much you eat. Here are some tips for choosing foods that will help you keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range:
-Choose complex carbohydrates instead of simple sugars. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. They take longer to digest, so they don’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
-Include protein at every meal. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Good sources of protein include lean meats, fish, tofu, and legumes.
-Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber also slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
-Make sure to include healthy fats in your diet. Healthy fats can help improve insulin sensitivity and lower triglyceride levels. Good sources of healthy fats include avocados, nuts, and seeds.
Exercise and blood sugar
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to lower your blood sugar. It helps your cells use insulin more effectively, so your body doesn’t have to make as much. It also helps reduce insulin resistance, which is when your body’s cells don’t respond as well to insulin.
Stress and blood sugar
There are a few different things that can cause blood sugar to drop, but one of the most common is stress. When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol helps your body to release sugar into your blood stream so that you have energy to deal with the stressor. However, if you’re constantly stressed, your body can become overloaded with cortisol and sugar, and this can lead to blood sugar imbalances.
Medications and blood sugar
Medications are one of the main treatments for lowering blood sugar. There are many different types of medication, and each person with diabetes will likely be prescribed a different combination depending on their individual needs. Some common medications used to lower blood sugar include:
– Insulin: Insulin is a hormone that helps the body to use glucose for energy. It is usually injected under the skin, but can also be inhaled or taken as a pill.
– Oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs): These are drugs that help the body to better use insulin. They are taken by mouth and include medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones.
– Injectable hypoglycemic agents: These are drugs that are injected into the fatty tissue under the skin. They include exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza).
– Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs): These drugs help the body to make more insulin and to lower glucagon levels. They are taken by injection and include medications such as exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza).
diet and exercise play very important roles in maintaining blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Eating a healthy diet that is high in fiber and low in sugar, fat, and calories can help to regulate blood sugar levels. Getting regular exercise can also help to lower blood sugar levels by promoting insulin sensitivity and improving glucose tolerance.
Managing blood sugar during illness
When you’re sick, your blood sugar may drop for a number of reasons. One is that illness can increase your body’s demand for energy, and since glucose is the body’s main source of energy, your blood sugar may drop in response. Additionally, some illnesses can cause nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and further drops in blood sugar. Lastly, some medications used to treat illness can also cause blood sugar to drop.
So what can you do to manage your blood sugar when you’re sick? The first step is to monitor your blood sugar more closely than usual and contact your healthcare team if it drops below a certain level or if you experience any symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You should also make sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat small, frequent meals or snacks to prevent dehydration and maintain your energy levels. And finally, if you’re taking any medications that could potentially cause low blood sugar, be sure to talk to your healthcare team about how best to manage them during times of illness.
When to seek medical help
If you have diabetes, you know that keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is important. But what should you do if they drop too low? This is called hypoglycemia, and it can be dangerous if not treated promptly.
Hypoglycemia happens when your blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL. This can happen for a number of reasons, including skipping a meal, exercising too strenuously, or drinking alcohol. If you have diabetes, you may also experience hypoglycemia if you take certain medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include feelings of anxiety or nervousness, sweating, heart palpitations, hunger, shakiness, and dizziness or lightheadedness. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures or unconsciousness.
If you think you are experiencing hypoglycemia, it is important to check your blood sugar levels right away. You can do this with a portable glucose meter. If your blood sugar levels are indeed low, eat or drink something that will raise them quickly. This could be a glass of orange juice or a few pieces of hard candy. You should also check your blood sugar levels again in 15 minutes to make sure they are rising appropriately.
If you treat your hypoglycemia and your blood sugar levels return to normal, there is no need to see a doctor. However, if your blood sugar levels do not improve or if you experience severe symptoms such as seizures or unconsciousness, it is important to seek medical help right away.
