Managing blood sugar around mealtimes can be very difficult for people with diabetes. Blood sugar can stay high following a meal or snack, sometimes for hours.
It can lead to difficulty thinking or focusing, leave you feeling fatigued, or experiencing an unquenchable thirst. It could also cause a person to faint.
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Over time, extremely high blood sugar can increase the risk for heart and kidney disease, as well as nerve damage.
Along with medication, there are other things you can do to help keep blood sugar under control. Here are some tips to keep blood sugar from spiking and potentially reduce the risk of symptoms and chronic illness.
Have a Good Breakfast: Skipping breakfast can lead to massive sugar spikes after lunch and dinner. But it’s not just enough to eat breakfast; you need to eat the right things. Food like eggs, whole grains (toast/oats), fruit, and healthy fats (like nuts and nut butter) are the way to go.
Plan Snacks and Meals: Try staggering snacks and meals at intervals that will limit the ability of blood sugar going too high in either direction. Have meals roughly 4-5 hours apart and snacks 2-3 hours after meals.
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Walk After Meals: A short leisurely 15-minute stroll after a meal can help bring blood sugar down, and keep it there for hours.
Limit Evening Carbohydrates: Blood sugar can be the hardest to control later in the day, so choosing low-carb dinners or evening snacks can be very useful. Look for evening eating to consist largely of fats, protein, and fibrous veggies.
This might seem like a bit of a challenge with the holidays coming. But with some effort, you can do it. If you need help to plan balanced meals or healthier snacks, talk to your doctor about what to eat.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
