High blood sugar levels - hyperglycemia, can lead to serious complications. It could be a major challenge if we choose a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet. However, with the help of natural methods, it is possible to stay healthy.
Consult the best diabetologist in Coimbatore to ensure you receive expert, tailored care for diabetes. Don’t let diabetes control your life, take proactive steps toward better health and well-being with the support of experts. In this blog, let us discuss the natural ways that help to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
Lower blood sugar levels can help prevent or delay severe and long-term health issues like heart disease, loss of vision, and kidney disease while simultaneously enhancing energy levels. When diagnosed with diabetes, it's essential to keep an eye on your glucose levels to see how effective your current treatment is. Certain food habits and lifestyle choices can impact blood sugar levels like high carbohydrate intake, reduced physical activity, illness, stress, dehydration, smoking, specific medication, etc.
There is no one-size-fits-all strategy to manage diabetes, the data collected by blood sugar tests helps doctors about the right treatment for you. Diet, exercise, and stress can significantly contribute to the effective management of diabetes.
Regular exercise is like a superhero for diabetic people. It helps in improving insulin sensitivity, so your cells will better use sugar, thereby reducing the complication. Additionally, it helps in weight management and reduces the risk of heart disease, and stroke. However, tracking blood sugar levels before and after exercise helps in understanding how your body handles exercise. This can prevent life-threatening blood sugar spikes. If you are in for a long workout, keep an eye on your blood sugar level every 30 minutes.
Carbohydrates are like your body’s fuel, giving you the energy to keep moving. It’s not about intake, but about where they come from. Watch out for unhealthy sources of carbohydrates that can include highly processed and refined foods. They are quick to digest, which may cause weight gain, interfere with losing weight, and even lead to diabetes and heart problems. Instead go for the good sources of carbohydrates - unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. These are natural and packed with fiber, vitamins, and important minerals that keep us healthy.
Fiber can slow down the digestion of carbohydrates and sugar intake. Incorporating fiber-rich foods into your diet can effectively slow down the rate at which blood sugar levels increase. Soluble fiber has the best effect on blood sugar control. It can be found in legumes, oats, vegetables like carrots, fruits like berries, ripe bananas, apples, and nuts.
Managing stress is crucial for diabetic people, as stress highly impacts the blood sugar level. Although it is difficult to avoid stress completely, there are several ways to reduce it. Stress-reduction techniques like mindful meditation, and regular and deep breathing exercises, can help alleviate stress.
Sleep and proper rest are important for people of all ages. Too little sleep makes your diabetes harder to manage. Inadequate sleep leads to major consequences like:
Portion control can keep your blood sugar level in your target range. This plan guides us in when, how, and what to eat to get proper nutrition while balancing the condition. The mindful serving sizes help in preventing overconsumption of carbohydrates, which can lead to blood sugar spikes. For instance, drinking fruit juices raises blood sugar faster than having a whole fruit. Combining carbs with proteins, fats, or fiber helps slow down how fast your blood sugar goes up. But remember when you eat is as important as what you eat. Consult the best diabetologist in Coimbatore to learn about the best meal plan that suits your needs.
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is the best detoxifier for your body. Choose water instead of sugary drinks as it spikes blood sugar levels. Inadequate water in the body leads to dehydration, which may complicate diabetes more. Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water daily to support your diabetes management and overall health.
Maintaining ideal body weight is the cornerstone for effective blood sugar control. Excessive blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance making it harder for your body to regulate glucose. Shedding extra pounds through a balanced diet and exercise can significantly improve insulin sensitivity.
Taking care of blood sugar levels naturally doesn’t need to be complex and overwhelming. With just a few adjustments in your daily diet and physical activity, you can live a healthy life.
One can choose any healthy way to reduce blood sugar levels by consulting a diabetologist who makes a tailored plan according to your health status, lifestyle, and other conditions.