blood glucose control – How to keep it under check
Having a well monitored and controlled blood glucose level is very important to have a healthy life. This is especially true for patients who are diabetic. For them, keeping their blood glucose in check is very important. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas can no longer produce insulin in quantity required. It could come into play if your body becomes sensitive towards insulin and without having the correct amount, the body’s blood glucose levels can tend to get out of control.
To maintain proper blood glucose control, one needs to plan a very healthy diet and engage in sufficient physical activities. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind:
Having consistent eating habits
If you are skipping meals, especially the first meal of the day, it could shoot up your blood glucose levels. This is because the body tends to fill itself up with the glucose that is released by your liver. Therefore, you need to prevent your body from doing that by eating some carbohydrates. Moreover, skipping meals can lead to overeating, which is not good for your health.
Opt for healthy sources of carbohydrates
If you are taking a diet with low carbohydrates, it can turn out to be a highly imbalanced diet that does not provide your body with an essential vitamins and fibers.
Diabetes bars as meal substitutes
Shakes and protein bars made for diabetic patients can help keep the blood glucose level in check. You can keep some at your work and in your bag, in case you are not able to have certain meals due to being busy. Always read the label before purchasing, for saturated fats and other nutrients that might concern you.
Green tea
Replacing all sugary drinks with tea, especially green tea, can prove to be highly beneficial for your blood glucose control and keep it in check. It is a very good way to cut your calories, get disease-fighting polyphenols and also save some carbohydrates. It also improves a person’s sensitivity towards insulin.
Vinegar
Vinegar helps in holding the food inside the stomach for a longer time so that you do not feel peckish minutes after you have had your meal. It also inhibits digestion of starch in the body. Try to splash some of it on your salad or the vegetable you are cooking. However, consult your doctor before you do so. Some people might face digestive problems due to the same.
Sneak in a little nap
Too little sleep or bad sleep can mess with your hormones. This leads to an increased appetite, which could lead to higher blood glucose levels. Therefore, try to maintain a sleep routine that works to keep the blood glucose level under check. Even sleep deprivation can lead to increased insulin levels.
Exercise to boost metabolism and improve sleep
In case you get tired too easily or you cannot sleep at all, it means that your body is physically not balanced. Working out a little or going for a simple walk can get your muscles and joints moving. This can improve your metabolism and create a balanced and healthy appetite which keeps the blood glucose level under check. It also helps you sleep sounder and better. Exercises could include
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Bike riding
- Going for a jog
- yoga
A proper diet
One of the first important factors that need to be changed or altered to have good blood glucose control is a healthy diet. One way to maintain it is by having low glycemic index (GI) foods. These are:
- Stone-ground wheat
- Beans
- Vegetables without starch
- Steel cut oats
- White rice
- Popcorn
- Oatmeal
- White bread
- Pumpkin.
However, you need to keep your GI foods in check as well. In diabetes, more of anything is a bad sign. Over eating such foods can easily cause sugar spikes. Try to limit the amount of junk food you have. Try taking processed foods in your diet as well as whole foods if possible.
Try to monitor your blood glucose control before and after you exercise. This will help you understand what kind of exercising pattern suits your body the most. If in case your blood glucose levels are extremely high, try not to do any physical activities that might spike it further.
In case you notice any odd body temperatures or blood in your urine, call 911 immediately. Do not wait for more symptoms to occur since diabetes is a very sensitive matter. One should not wait for even a single minute and go see a doctor or the emergency room as soon as possible. It is highly important and is always recommended by doctors that patients with diabetes need to keep a very accurate check on their diet and health.