Introduction
If you’re looking for ways to lower your blood sugar, you’ve come to the right place. Eating the right foods can make a huge difference in your blood sugar levels. In this article, we’ll discuss the #1 way to lower your blood sugar, according to doctors: Eat This Not That. We’ll look at the types of foods you should be eating, as well as the ones you should avoid. We’ll also discuss the importance of portion control and how to make healthy food choices. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to lower your blood sugar and keep it under control.
The #1 Way to Lower Your Blood Sugar, Say Doctors — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking for ways to lower your blood sugar, doctors say the best way is to make sure you’re eating the right foods. Eating the wrong foods can cause your blood sugar to spike, leading to a host of health problems. So what should you be eating to keep your blood sugar in check?
The American Diabetes Association recommends eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa, are high in fiber and can help keep your blood sugar levels steady. Fruits and vegetables are also great sources of fiber and vitamins, and can help you feel full longer. Lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, and beans, are also important for keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
In addition to eating the right foods, it’s also important to limit your intake of sugary and processed foods. These foods can cause your blood sugar to spike, leading to a host of health problems. Instead, opt for healthier snacks, such as nuts, seeds, and fruits. You should also limit your intake of alcohol, as it can also cause your blood sugar to spike.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your blood sugar levels in check and reduce your risk of developing diabetes and other health problems. Eating the right foods and limiting your intake of sugary and processed foods can help you stay healthy and keep your blood sugar levels in check.
Chronically high blood sugar is dangerous for the body in a multitude of ways. Left unchecked, excessive blood sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes. That raises your risk of serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke, dementia, blindness, and a poor outcome from COVID-19. To prevent diabetes and prediabetes, keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range is key. Here’s how to do it. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
On a recent episode of the All Bodies Nutrition podcast, Dr. Gregory Hodell, a New York City-based endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes and prediabetes, was asked what a person should say to their doctor when they’re told they’re prediabetic and have weight to lose. “‘I’m willing and I want to hear what I can do to take care of my blood sugar,’” he said, “And ‘I’m happy to hear about behaviors, because those are things that we know will improve my health, versus just saying, you need to diet and exercise.’”
He added: “What I would say is, ‘Let’s talk about how I can find ways to move more. Let’s talk about maybe seeing a dietician and how I could pair foods. Let’s talk about if I have a lot of stress going on and I’m not sleeping well—should I be seeing a therapist? Should I get evaluated for sleep apnea?” He said that fixating only on weight loss often isn’t helpful—it can lead to weight cycling (frequently losing and regaining weight), which can worsen insulin levels and inflammation—and noted that more than 40 lifestyle factors are known to affect blood sugar. Here’s what we know about some of them:
RELATED: The #1 Cause of Diabetes
Exercise can lower blood sugar in two key ways, the American Diabetes Association says: It increases insulin sensitivity, so muscle cells are more able to take up glucose instead of allowing it to build up in the blood. And when muscles contract during exercise, they’re better able to process glucose regardless of whether insulin is available.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Inflammation Quick, Says Science
Stress increases blood sugar in the body. It’s a variation of the primitive fight-or-flight response: When you’re stressed out, the body prepares itself for battle by ensuring enough sugar is available to use as energy if necessary. Insulin levels fall, adrenaline levels rise and the liver releases more glucose into the bloodstream. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol also rise, which makes muscle and fat less sensitive to insulin (meaning the additional blood sugar isn’t processed and hangs around). Chronic stress can lead to
RELATED: This Common Habit Makes Your Heart Disease Risk Soar
Poor sleep is another source of stress for the body, and making it a habit can wreak havoc with your blood sugar levels. “Even just one night of too little sleep can make your body use insulin less efficiently,” says the CDC. Not only does inadequate rest make the body more resistant to insulin, it increases circulating levels of cortisol.
RELATED: If You Have a Heart Problem, You May Need These Specialists ASAP
Of course, a balanced diet is important to blood sugar control—particularly one that’s low in simple carbs, refined grains, processed and fast foods, and foods high in added sugar like sugar-sweetened beverages. Once consumed, they’re quickly converted into glucose, which causes blood sugar levels to spike and crash, making you reach for more. And to ensure your health don’t miss these 101 Health Habits You Didn’t Know Were Deadly.