Higher Body Weight Is Associated With Heart Health Risks
Along with low scores in diet and exercise, weight is a major factor in why many Americans have poor heart health, according to the AHA guidelines.
Body weight is typically measured using body mass index , or the ratio of height to weight.
BMI isn’t always a reliable measure of a individual person’s health, but it’s often used to assess health patterns across the population.
Having a higher BMI, in the overweight or obesity range is linked to risks such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and elevated cholesterol levels, combined with other factors such as weight stigma that drive higher rates of heart disease.
The AHA recommends managing your weight by being mindful of how much you eat, balancing your calorie intake with enough physical activity, and eating high-volume, lower-calorie foods like veggies, whole grains, beans, and lean meats.
Omit Trans Fats From Your Diet
Trans fats are chemically modified unsaturated fatty acids to increase their stability. They add flavor and extended shelf life to food products. Trans fat doesnt directly raise blood sugar but they are linked to insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and belly fat. This may be a concern for diabetics, as they increase the risk of cardiac diseases. Check out labels for Trans Fat or partially hydrogenated in the ingredient list.
Trans fat is mostly found in foods likemargarine, peanut butter, coffee creamers, and frozen meals. They may also beadded to chips, muffins, crackers and other baked goods. These are the foods to avoid with high bloodsugar. Beware!
How Often Should I Check My Blood Sugar
The number of times that you check your blood sugar will depend on the type of diabetes that you have and the type of medicine you take to treat your diabetes. For example, people who take insulin may need to check more often than people who do not take insulin. Talk with your health care team about how often to check your blood sugar.
The common times for checking your blood sugar are when you first wake up , before a meal, 2 hours after a meal, and at bedtime. Talk with your health care team about what times are best for you to check your blood sugar.
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Essential Foods To Help Control Blood Sugar Levels
Over 120 million Americans have high blood sugar or diabetes. Thatâs a scary fact. What might be an even scarier one is that most of them donât know they do. Fortunately, we know that the most successful preventative care approach for these conditions is watching your blood glucose levels.
When it comes to blood sugar levels, nutrition is the leading factor impacting them. Most foods will not lower glucose levels, but certain foods have shown they can help control them. You might think that blood sugar is only affected by the amount of sugar, carbohydrates, and fats you eat. Surprisingly, thatâs not the case! Vitamins and minerals in your diet also play a key part in controlling your blood sugars.
Signs That Blood Sugar Levels Are High
People with high blood sugar may:
- pee a lot. When blood sugar levels get too high, the kidneys flush out the extra glucose into your urine , which is why people who have high blood sugar levels need to pee more often and in larger amounts.
- drink a lot. Because youre losing so much fluid from peeing so much, you can get very thirsty.
- lose weight. If there isnt enough insulin to help the body use glucose, the body starts to break down your muscle and fat for energy and you lose weight.
- feel tired. Because the body cant use glucose for energy properly, you may feel really tired.
High blood sugar levels dont always cause these symptoms. Sometimes you can have high blood sugar levels without even knowing it. But if left untreated, they can cause serious health problems. Thats why its important to work with your parents and diabetes team to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. This can mean checking your blood sugar levels a few times a day, even when you feel fine.
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Spinach Best Food For Diabetes
Spinach isrich in proteins and amino acids. One cup of spinach has approximately 5 gramsof proteins. It is abundant in minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium,and potassium which lower high blood pressure. The high fiber content in itsleaves helps to lower blood sugar. Protein, minerals, and fiber are magicingredients that balance insulin levels and keep you healthy.
How to add it to your diet:
- Add spinachto your salads and soups
- Makedelicious green smoothies
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Sleep Duration Is Linked To Heart Health
Sleep is a new addition to the AHA guidelines, as a growing body of research suggests that regular, high-quality sleep is crucial for all aspects of health.
Getting enough sleep helps stave off illnesses, support fitness, improve mental health and focus, and keep your immune system health. A good night’s sleep can even help you lose weight, new research suggests.
In contrast, skimping on sleep is linked to worse heart health and higher risk, as well as other factors on the AHA list, like cholesterol and blood pressure.
To improve your sleep, practice good nighttime habits such as going to bed at the same time each night and cutting electronics and other stimulating activities out of your late-night routine.
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Get Plenty Of Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are examples of healthy carbohydrates that are rich in fiber. For people with diabetes, doctors recommend eating five portions of fruits and vegetables a day to maintain healthy blood-sugar levels though you should talk to your doctor to come up with a meal plan that best suits your needs.
Ripe fruits tend to have a higher glycemic index than less ripe fruits. The glycemic index ranks foods by how they raise glucose levels in the body. Foods high on the glycemic index raise glucose levels more quickly, potentially causing blood sugar spikes, while low-glycemic foods raise glucose levels more slowly.
Eating fruits with the skin can be more beneficial, Adimoolam says, since the skin contains more fiber and can help regulate your blood sugar.
Though all fruits supply nutrients, dried fruit and fruit juice have more concentrated sources of natural sugars. When possible, choose whole forms of fruit, such as fresh or frozen.
Adimoolam says most vegetables are healthy for people with diabetes, though starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plantains have a higher carbohydrate content and should be eaten in moderation.
Some examples of low-glycemic fruits and vegetables include:
- Apples
Quick tip: For more information, read about the best types of fruits for diabetes.
Eating Habits To Improve Blood Sugar Regulation
In addition to eating fewer grams of added sugar each day, there are other eating habits that can improve your blood sugar. Try some, or all, of these tips, in addition to eating less sugar, to maximize your blood sugar control:
- Exercise several times per week to improve insulin resistance and increase your usage of stored carbohydrates.
- Eat more fibrous foods that will slow the release of sugar into your bloodstream and increase satiety.
- Pair protein and fat along with carb sources to improve satiety and achieve more even levels of blood sugar. For example, instead of just a bowl of cereal, add a side of Greek yogurt and nuts.
- Maintain good portion control that will allow for small amounts of sweet treats while keeping you within the recommended sugar intake range.
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High Blood Glucose: Diabetic Ketoacidosis
If your insulin level is too low, your blood glucose could become so high that it is unsafe. You might develop a serious problem called diabetic ketoacidosis . This usually happens in people with Type 1 diabetes and those with glucose levels over 500.
If you have DKA, chemicals called ketones start to make a lot of acid in your body. The acid and high blood glucose can make you very sick. You might also become dehydrated . You can prevent DKA by carefully giving yourself the correct insulin dose every day.
If you have any of the following symptoms of DKA, get to your local emergency department right away. You need to be treated with insulin and fluids that are given to you through an IV :
- Blurry vision
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Why Is Blood Sugar Regulation Important
When the blood sugar levels in the body are continually unstable, there is a risk of illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes. Unstable levels of glucose can mean the cells are not being fueled properly on one extreme, and on the other, the bloodstream is overloaded with glucose.
Normal blood sugar: Although blood sugar levels vary between individuals, people without diabetes should have levels around 70 to 80 mg/dl . This reading is typically seen in the daytime, and before you sit down to eat.
High blood sugar: Did you know that a lot of people in the U.S. are considered prediabetic? This means that their blood sugars are continually on the higher end of the scale. Also called hyperglycemia, this can mean an increased chance of a damaged pancreas, stroke, and risk of atherosclerosis.
What can too much sugar in the body do?
- Slow wound healing
- And at worst, loss of consciousness
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Fruit Which Can Send Blood Sugar Soaring When Overeaten
Yes, its true that fruit can spike blood sugar levels, but thats no reason to strip it from your diet entirely. After all, fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, all of which are great for your health and management of type 2 diabetes, Thomas says.
Your approach: Make sure that you count any fruit consumed as a carb, with one tennis-ball-sized piece of fruit counting as one serving, she says. Opt for whole fresh or frozen options when possible because theyre unprocessed and dont come with the addition of any sugars. If you prefer canned, make sure the fruit is packed in water, not sugary syrup. Last, even if you do manage to find dried fruits that dont contain added sugar, know they will still drastically spike your blood sugar. Thats because these fruits have been dehydrated, meaning they contain just as much sugar as a whole fruit, but in a single bite, she says. For example, according to the USDA, while a whole apricot has just over 3 g of sugar, only 2 tbsp of dried apricots has that same amount.
Sip On Seltzer Rather Than Fruit Juice
Thefiber-rich foods are considered healthy snacks for diabetics, but fruit juicesare a completely different story. Even fresh fruit juice contains lots ofconcentrated sugar which we should skip. Plus juices dont fill you up makingyou eat more.
You can opt for whole fruits or go for zero-calorie seltzer with a dash of lime. Pick detox drinks to keep you hydrated and heal your body internally.
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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Dka
The symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis usually dont develop all at once they usually come on slowly over several hours. People who have DKA may:
- feel really tired
- feel really thirsty or pee way more than usual
- have a dry mouth and signs of dehydration
These symptoms are caused by the high blood sugar levels that usually happen before someone develops DKA. If the person doesnt get treatment, these signs of DKA can happen:
- abdominal pain
- unconsciousness
What Does Eating Right Mean For You
If you have type 1 diabetes, carb counting is really important to keep your blood glucose levels steady. This is where you estimate how many carbs are in your meal and match it with how much insulin you need to take.
If you have type 2 and youre overweight, finding a way to lose weight is important as it really improves diabetes management. This is because it can help to lower your blood glucose and reduce your risk of other complications. There are different ways of doing this like the low-carb, Mediterranean or very low-calorie diets. Losing weight can help you lower your blood glucose levels, and we now know that substantial weight loss can even put some people’s type 2 diabetes into remission.
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you might need to lose, gain or maintain your current weight but its important to make healthier food choices while youre doing this.
Portion sizes are important to think about whether you have type 1 or type 2. It makes calculating nutritional facts when youre carb counting or managing your weight a lot easier. Remember, portion sizes are different for everyone, so whats right for someone else might not be right for you.
If you feel overwhelmed about your feelings about food and diabetes, we have plenty of information to help you.
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Learn To Manage Your Stress
We all have stress. However, some people can manage it better than others. Personally, Im a Type-A, and Ive had to work hard and learn ways to manage stress.
Chronic stress takes a toll on your immune system. It makes you more likely to contract a cold or flu, or even develop a chronic autoimmune disease. Stress also raises your cortisol levels, which in turn raises your blood sugar. Its a major cause of high fasting blood sugars.
To manage stress, try any or all of these things:
- Yoga or tai chi
- Meditation
- Keep a gratitude journal
- Use adaptogenic herbs like Tulsi or one of my favorites Ashwagandha
Adaptogens are class of herbs that help your body adapt to various types of stressors. They have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Tulsi is one of my favorites and it happens to be another ingredient in Herbaly Wellness Collection tea. Tulsi been shown to enhance your immune system, reduce cortisol levels, and improve blood sugar.
Get Your Minerals And Vitamins From Foods
Theres no evidence that mineral and vitamin supplements help you manage your diabetes. So, unless youve been told to take something by your healthcare team, like folic acid for pregnancy, you dont need to take supplements.
Its better to get your essential nutrients by eating a mixture of different foods. This is because some supplements can affect your medications or make some diabetes complications worse, like kidney disease.
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Best Foods For Diabetics
Diabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal. Its carbohydrate foods, like bread, cereals, rice, pasta, fruits, milk, and desserts that can cause this rise. Your eating plan should focus on the amount and type of carbs you put on your plate throughout the day. But its also important to have foods you enjoy. You want to eat enough so you feel satisfied. Thats why its important to know the best foods for diabetics. Here are the 25 best foods for diabetics that can keep your blood sugar in check, and make you healthy as well.
What’s The Best Diet For Diabetes
There isn’t a specific diet or meal plan that works for everybody. Your health care provider may have you see a registered dietician or a diabetes educator who can help design the best eating plan for you. The plan will consider:
- Any medicines that you take
- Your weight
- Any other health conditions you have
- Your lifestyle and tastes
- Your goals
All eating plans for diabetes have a few things in common, including eating the right foods in the right amounts at the right times.
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Uncontrolled High Blood Sugar Can Damage Your Cardiovascular System
Blood sugar can be another important factor in preventing heart health issues like heart attack or stroke.
When you eat or drink, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, a simple sugar which enters the bloodstream as the body’s main form of energy.
But sometimes, blood sugar levels can build up over time, particularly if you have issues with insulin, a hormone your body uses to control blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when someone becomes less sensitive to insulin over time, resulting in chronically elevated blood sugar .
Exercise can also help lower blood sugar levels, including casual activity like walking and doing household chores.
Importance Of Diet In Diabetes
Much of the food you eat is broken down into sugar , which gets released into the bloodstream. When blood sugar increases, the pancreas, an organ responsible for digestion and blood sugar regulation, releases the hormone insulin. Insulin then helps cells absorb the sugar to be used for energy or stored.
In diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin to enable the cells to absorb enough sugar from the blood. Or the body might have enough insulin, but the cells do not respond to it. In both cases, this leads to there being too much sugar in the blood, which, over time can lead to serious health issues, such as vision loss, heart disease, and kidney disease.
Reducing sugar and other simple carbohydrates in your diet plays an important role in keeping blood sugar levels down, which can slow the progression of the disease and stave off such complications.
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