Whether trying to manage diabetes or prevent it altogether, you will have to learn how to control blood sugar.
One of the main ways to do this is with diet. In fact, diet is likely the number one factor for preventing or controlling type-2 diabetes.
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People looking to manage blood sugar must pay particular attention to carbohydrate intake. And it is not so much about avoiding carbohydrates altogether but rather carefully selecting the right ones to include in your diet.
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the right carbohydrates to keep blood sugar under control. Not only are they rich in nutrition, but they are also high-fiber foods. Fiber is digested more slowly, so these foods will not spike blood sugar.
The carbohydrates you don’t want to eat are those that cause blood sugar to skyrocket. These are things like candy, sugary drinks, sweets, as well as refined grains like white bread, pasta, and rice.
Another thing you should do is read labels. Sometimes there are high levels of sugar lurking in foods where you might not expect it, even foods you may consider healthy. Things like yogurt, granola bars, breakfast cereals, salad dressings, and orange juice are all relatively high-sugar items.
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Don’t sit down after eating a meal. After eating, going for a 15-minute stroll at a leisurely pace can help your body better absorb and metabolize sugar. A post-dinner walk may be very beneficial to keep blood sugar levels low.
Including activity in your daily routine can also keep blood sugar in check. Your muscles draw on stored energy from sugar, called glycogen. Using it up allows room for it to be replenished by blood sugar.
Don’t ignore blood sugar. Stay up to date with doctor’s visits and tests, so you know where you stand and what steps need to be taken.