Healthy Food Substitute: Whole Grains
Similarly to rice, you can do yourself a favor by replacing sources of refined grains in your diet with whole grain bread, pasta, and so on. Along with their reduced impact on blood sugar levels, whole grain foods have other health benefits the fiber they include can play a role in reducing your cholesterol.
Types Of Fruit To Include
There are no “good” or “bad” fruits , but if you’re looking to get the most nutritional value, set your sights on fruits that are high in fiber. For example, you can eat 1 1/4 cup of strawberries for 60 calories, 15 grams carbs, 3.5 grams fiber, and 7.5 grams sugar, or only 1/2 medium banana, which is 60 calories, 15 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, and 8 grams sugar.
Consuming more fruit may also improve inflammation, a major issue in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. A higher intake of fruit and vegetables results in reduced inflammatory markers and an improved immune cell profile, according to one review which examined 83 separate studies.
It’s also important to choose a wide variety of fruitone study found that a greater variety in fruit and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
High Calorie Foods May Or May Not Cause The Blood Sugar Level To Rise
Many people think that all high-calorie foods raise blood sugar level, but this is not always the case.
In general, foods that cause blood sugar level to rise the most are those that are high in carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into energy, such as rice, bread, fruits and sugar. Next are foods high in protein, such as meats, fish eggs, milk and dairy products, and oily foods. However, even though carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels, if you don’t eat them your diet will be unbalanced and you won’t feel satisfied after your meal, which can lead to excessive consumption of foods rich in protein and fat.
Food containing three major nutrients
Carbohydrates |
---|
You May Like: Is There Sugar In Pedialyte
Other Healthy Strategies For Eating Fruit
What else can you do to make sure you eat healthy fruit?
-
Portion size is key! Set out the amount of fruit that you want to eat, and then stick to that portion this will help you avoid eating too much fruit and experiencing a blood sugar spike. Its also helpful to spread multiple servings of fruit out over the course of the day, rather than eating a lot of fruit at once.
-
Choose fresh fruit whenever possible. Canned fruit, dried fruit, and sometimes frozen fruit often have added sugars . Processed fruit also generally contains added sugar.
-
Try to avoid fruit juice. Fruit juice contains all of the sugar of fruit without the fiber to help your body process it. This means that juice can cause your blood sugar to spike quickly. If you are drinking fruit juice, drink a very small portion and consider adding water to it make sure you get 100% fruit juice so that no extra sugars are added to sweeten the drink. Note: this is why juice can be used to quickly raise your blood sugar if you are experiencing hypoglycemia.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms What To Look For
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision.
According to the NHS, you should see a GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or youre worried you may have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Youll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery.
Don’t Miss: What Cells Produce Hormones To Regulate Blood Sugar
Whats Considered Low Blood Sugar
Your blood sugar tends to fluctuate throughout the day. Itll be lower when you first wake up, especially if you havent eaten for the past 8 to 10 hours.
Your blood sugar will go up once you eat. Depending on when you last ate, heres whats considered to be a normal blood sugar range:
Fasting | 2 hours after a meal |
7099 mg/dL | Less than 140 mg/dL |
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is when your blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dL.
The point at which low blood sugar symptoms become noticeable is different from one person to the next.
Some people may feel jittery, irritable, or lightheaded when their blood sugar level falls to 70 mg/dL. Other people may not feel any symptoms until well below that mark.
A quick, simple blood test can measure your blood sugar level. If you have diabetes or another medical condition that sometimes causes episodes of low blood sugar, its important to regularly check your blood sugar with a home test.
If a test shows that your blood sugar is below normal, you can take steps to adjust it quickly.
Symptoms of low blood sugar vary from person to person and can even be different from one episode to the next. You may experience specific symptoms the first time your blood sugar dips, and different symptoms the next time.
The most common mild to moderate symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- jitters or shaking
More severe symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- inability to eat or drink
- seizures
- unconsciousness
Can Diabetics Eat Fruit
The most common advice every diabetic gets is to stay away from fruits. Why? It is because the fruits have high sugar content. Yes, fruits have sugar but the sugar present in them is a natural sugar which is far different from the processed ones.
Further, there are many fruits that are known to control blood sugar levels and studies have proven that a regular intake of such fruits can even help evade diabetes. Thus, a diet with a variety of fruits is definitely beneficial for an individual whether they are diabetic or not.
Also Check: Yogurt With The Least Sugar
Why Are Fruit And Vegetables So Good For Us
Eating fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk of developing many health conditions including high blood pressure, heart diseases, strokes, obesity and certain cancers.Its even more important for people with diabetes to eat more fruits and vegetables as most of these conditions are more likely to affect them.Fruits and vegetables have a good mix of soluble and insoluble fibre which is good for your bowels and general health so it makes sense to eat more of them.
How Does Fruit Affect Blood Sugar
Because they have carbohydrates, fruits will raise your blood sugar. So itâs important to count the carbs you eat and balance them with medicine, diet, and lifestyle choices. If youâre having trouble keeping your blood sugar under control, let your doctor know right away.
One serving of fruit has 15 grams of carbs. But the serving size can be very different depending on the type of fruit. For example, you get 15 grams of carbs from:
- 1/2 medium apple or banana
- 1 cup blackberries or raspberries
- 3/4 cup blueberries
- 1 1/4 cup whole strawberries
- 1 cup cubed honeydew melon
- 1/8 cup raisins
Carbs arenât the only number to keep in mind. The glycemic index measures how a food affects your blood sugar. Foods that are low on the scale raise it slowly. Those high on the scale raise it quickly.
Eating mostly low-GI foods can help you keep control of your blood sugar. But they may not always be good for you. A candy bar and a cup of brown rice can have the same GI value. Be sure to keep nutrition in mind when choosing what to eat.
A large serving of a low-GI food will usually raise your blood sugar as much as a small amount of a high-GI food. So experts also use glycemic load , a measurement that involves portion size as well as the GI number, to give more details about these effects. For example, an orange has a GI of 52 but a glycemic load of 4.4, which is low. A candy bar with a GI of 55 may have a GL of 22.1, which is high.
Read Also: How Much Sugar To Add To Hard Cider
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.
Putting Too Much Stock In A Name:
While there is sometimes debate about what exactly constitutes a fruit, fruits share the characteristics of containing seeds being produced by plants or trees. Some unlikely candidates qualify as fruits including cucumbers, peas, corn, nuts, and avocados and tomatoes. Loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber that you need for healthy digestion, its less important whether it is a fruit or vegetable than that it contains the nutrients needed to maintain your health. Eating fruit can be a healthy way to curb your sweet tooth so that you dont eat anything that you will regret later.
Fresh fruit should always be the first choice if it is available, if you choose canned fruits make sure not to get a kind with added sugars. Canned fruits are healthiest when packed in natural juices, but are also ok in moderation with a light syrup. Whats important when choosing which fruits to eat is the energy and nutrient content of the food that youre consuming.
Read Also: How To Get Off Sugar And Carbs
Blood Sugar Level Rises Every Time You Eat
Your blood sugar level rises immediately after eating a meal or snack . In a healthy person, insulin then starts working, and the blood sugar level returns to the pre-meal level 2 hours after eating. In untreated diabetes patients, the blood sugar level does not return to the pre-meal level of its own accord. Some people’s blood sugar level remains high two hours after eating, even though on an empty stomach it would be at a normal level. As a result, the risk of developing diabetes increases as insulin is not properly secreted, or does not work properly in the body. In order to make sure insulin works properly, it is important not to overeat and to avoid becoming obese. Knowing which foods will not cause a sudden and extreme spike in blood sugar level and using this knowledge in your daily life will help you to prevent obesity and diabetes, and maintain good health.
Diabetes And Low Blood Sugar
Diabetes is a tricky disease to handle. The symptoms of low and high blood sugar are similar, and each causes irreversible damage to the body. Doctors believe that low blood sugar is more dangerous to the body than high blood sugar levels. This is because the brain, like the rest of the body, depends upon glucose to meet its energy requirements. In the absence of a sufficient quantity of glucose, it can cause stroke, seizures or even permanent brain damage.
So how does one suffer from low blood sugar when diabetes is a complication which causes blood sugar spikes? Skipping a meal, over medicating, exercising too much or heavy insulin medication can initiate dips in blood glucose levels.
You May Like: Is There Sugar In Smirnoff Ice
Healthy Foods That Can Still Mess With Your Blood Sugar
Watching your sugar intake? Heres how to keep things balanced.
Keeping blood sugar stable isnt just about preventing type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is an important energy source for your body. When you dont have enough it can cause pesky symptoms like brain fog, mood swings, and junk food cravings, all of which can put a damper on your energy level and productivity.
You might assume that simply steering clear of foods with a high glycemic index is all it takes to keep your glucose from going haywirebut food-based blood sugar fluctuations are actually completely unique to the individual, says Monica Auslander Moreno, R.D., Florida-based registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition. The index is a good jumping off point, but even foods that are lower on the index can cause blood sugar shakeups in certain people.
What Can Cause Low Blood Sugar Levels
Some things that can make low blood sugar levels more likely are:
- skipping meals and snacks
- not eating enough food during a meal or snack
- exercising longer or harder than usual without eating some extra food
- getting too much insulin
- not timing the insulin doses properly with meals, snacks, and exercise
Also, some things may increase how quickly insulin gets absorbed into the bloodstream and can make hypoglycemia more likely. These include:
- taking a hot shower or bath right after having an insulin injection increases blood flow through the blood vessels in the skin, which can make the insulin be absorbed more quickly than usual
- injecting the shot into a muscle instead of the fatty layer under the skin
- injecting the insulin into a part of the body used a lot in a particular sport .
All of these situations increase the chances that a person may get hypoglycemia.
page 1
You May Like: How To Drop Sugar Levels
The Blood Sugar Level Regulation Mechanism
When you eat rice, bread, or any other typical food high in carbohydrates, it is digested by the stomach and small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood as glucose. Figure 1 shows how it is absorbed into the body.
Figure 1: Absorption of glucose
When glucose enters the bloodstream, insulin facilitates its uptake into the body’s cells. When an excess of glucose is ingested, insulin over secretion occurs. Insulin increases the biosynthesis of fat and suppresses its breakdown. Thus, it becomes easier for fat to accumulate in body tissues.
Blood sugar level will not drop if the sugar in the blood is not properly processed due to, for example, too little insulin being secreted, or resistance to the action of insulin. If blood sugar levels have not decreased several hours after eating on a regular basis, this indicates a susceptibility to diabetes. To avoid this and stay healthy, we should eat types of foods that will not cause a sudden, extreme rise in blood sugar levels.
What is BMI?
What is a healthy blood sugar level
- Fasting blood sugar level 99mg/dL
- Postprandial blood sugar level 7.8mmol/L
Fruits: The Ultimate Food For Diabetics
Consuming low-sugar or low-glycemic index fruits is the best! Fruits will provide you with roughage, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which is good for proper body functioning.
Plus, the simple sugars or carbs in them are a lot easier for the body to process. Your body needs these healthy sugars. Including fruits in your diet can help in reducing excessive weight by keeping you full for a longer duration. You may consume it as a quick light snack, as a dessert, juice it or just have it as it is.
But there are certain fruits that are high in sugar or are high-glycemic index fruits. For example, sugar content is high in dried fruits than in fresh fruits. So, you must be careful while picking fruits for consumption.
Here are the top 25 fruits that are ideal for you or your loved one with diabetes:
Read Also: Is There Sugar In Pedialyte
Stick With Starchy Vegetables
Cooked carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes can boost your blood sugar. Raw carrots have a lower GI. Nonstarchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, eggplant, zucchini and cucumbers, are lower in carbs and have very little effect on your blood sugar levels. Fat slows digestion and makes your blood sugar levels rise less quickly, so potatoes cooked with fat, such as French fries and potato chips, have a lower GI than plain boiled, mashed and baked potatoes.
Preventing Low Blood Sugar Levels
Here are some other tips to help you avoid low blood sugar levels:
- Eat all your meals and snacks on time and try not to skip any.
- Take the right amount of insulin.
- If you exercise longer or harder than usual, have an extra snack.
- Don’t take a hot bath or shower right after an insulin shot.
- Stick to your diabetes management plan.
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly, so you can tell if your blood sugars are running too low and your treatment plan needs adjustment.
- Carry something containing sugar with you at all times and take it right away if you have symptoms. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms will go away they may get worse!
Alcohol and drugs can cause major problems with your blood sugar levels, so avoiding them is another way to prevent diabetes problems. Drinking can be particularly dangerous even deadly for people with diabetes because it messes up the body’s ability to keep blood glucose in a normal range. This can cause a very rapid drop in blood glucose in people with diabetes. Drug or alcohol use is also dangerous because it may affect someone’s ability to sense low blood sugar levels.
Learning how to recognize the signs of low blood sugar levels and get them back to normal is an important part of caring for diabetes. Keeping track of your blood sugar levels and recording lows when they occur will help you and your diabetes health care team keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
You May Like: Are Bananas Bad For Blood Sugar