Great Bedtime Snacks For People Living With Diabetes
For some people, a healthy bedtime snack helps to prevent glucose swings during the night. By eating a small snack that is full of protein and healthy fats , your body may be better able to avoid an overnight high but if you take insulin, be sure to cover the carbohydrates in your snack even if it only requires a small dose of insulin.
Here are some snack ideas:
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Plain nuts or seeds try eating a small handful
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Raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, or tomatoes, with a small amount of hummus or peanut butter
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Plain yogurt, and you can add berries or cinnamon
Remember, a bedtime snack is only helpful for some people. To see if it works for you, youll have to carefully monitor your glucose before bed, during the night, and when you wake up.
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.
What Factors Affect Blood Sugar
You can guess that carbohydrate intake and insulin production are at least partly responsible for your blood sugar levels. But the list is much longer — almost every lifestyle choice you make can affect your blood sugar. Here’s just a partial list.
- Exercise can affect insulin sensitivity, leading to lower blood sugar for up to 48 hours.
- Alcohol intake increases insulin production, causing low blood sugar.
- Stress hormones like cortisol can raise blood sugar, because your body wants access to energy in order to escape what it perceives as a dangerous situation.
- Medications, especially statins and diuretics, can raise blood sugar. Statins are used to treat cholesterol, and diuretics for high blood pressure.
- Diet is a major player in blood sugar. Eating too many simple carbs at once can cause levels to skyrocket, while protein intake leads to a slower increase in blood sugar.
- Dehydration raises blood sugar, because with less water in your body the glucose concentration will be higher.
Other surprising factors can affect your blood sugar, like a sunburn or gum disease, so if you’re dealing with a blood sugar issue and can’t figure out what’s causing your spikes and dips, talk to a healthcare professional.
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Diabetes Myths That Don’t Lower Blood Sugar
Skipping Meals
Skipping meals could potentially push your blood glucose higher. When you don’t eat for several hours because of sleep or other reasons, your body fuels itself on glucose released from the liver. For many people with type 2 diabetes , the liver doesn’t properly sense that the blood has ample glucose already, so it continues to pour out more. Eating something with a little carbohydrate signals the liver to stop sending glucose into the bloodstream and can tamp down high numbers.
Skipping meals can also lead to overeating, which can cause an increase in weight. And if you take certain diabetes medications that stimulate the body’s own insulin such as common sulfonylureas, or you take insulin with injections or a pump, you risk having your blood glucose drop too low when you skip or delay meals.
Going Low-Carb
Eating Pasta Al Dente
It is best to eat your spaghetti al dente, says David J. A. Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Canada research chair in nutrition and metabolism at the University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital. Overcooked pasta and other starches become soft, lose their form, and give up their glucose more readily, likely giving you a bigger rise in blood glucose, he says.
Adding Diabetes Shakes and Bars to Meals
Sprinkling Cinnamon
Drinking Alcohol
Drinking Green Tea
Drinking Excessive Water
Splashing a Little Vinegar
Doubling Up on Diabetes Medicines
Exercising Instead of Sleeping
Sleeping Instead of Exercising
Taking Supplements
What Diet Is Best For Type 2 Diabetes
blood sugar by a good Does vegtable glycerin raise blood sugar amount, they are not a cure They also work differently depending on the exact explanation for your diabetes and what different interventions you re attempting When you eat foods, they are digested into sugars, that are then absorbed into your bloodstream If you eat fewer carbohydrates, your blood sugar shall be decrease.
It is especially necessary that individuals with diabetes who are taking insulin not skip meals they have to also remember to eat the prescribed amounts at the Can Vaping Affect Blood Sugar Levels prescribed occasions in the course of the day Since the insulin dependent diabetic must match food consumption to the out there insulin, it is advantageous to extend the variety of day by day feedings by adding snacks between meals and at bedtime The American Diabetes Association sponsored a world panel in 1995 to evaluation the literature and suggest updates of the classification of diabetes mellitus.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to persistently high blood glucose levels This, in flip, results in blood vessel harm and restricted circulate, and oxygen and nutrients can t get to the cells that need it including hair follicles Stress Blood Sugar Levels may cause hormone degree modifications that have an result Can Vaping Affect Blood Sugar Levels on hair development If you have Type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks itself and also can cause a hair loss condition known as alopecia areata.
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Why Smoking And Vaping Make Diabetes Harder
While smoking is bad for anyones health, its effects on glucose levels, blood pressure, and the heart can also exacerbate both the short and long-term effects of diabetes. Smoking and using e-cigarettes can accelerate the progression of diabetes and heart disease, so quit today it might not be as hard as you think.
Many people typically think of lung cancer as the most significant health risk associated with smoking. However, the impacts of smoking extend far beyond this, especially for people with diabetes. Not only can smoking have a negative effect on glucose management and insulin resistance, but it also increases your risk for complications like heart disease.
The harmful effects of traditional cigarette smoking have been researched extensively, but research on the effects of e-cigarettes and vaping has only come to light in recent years. We are still learning what impact these habits have on people with diabetes and diabetes-related complications.
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Also Watch For High Blood Sugar
If youre not eating due to an acute illness like the flu or an infection, its also common for your blood sugars to rise.
When you have diabetes and are acutely ill, you should check your blood sugars up to four times per day, drink plenty of fluids and contact your doctor if your blood sugars are consistently over 250, Garvey says.
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What Sort Of Danger Do I Encounter If I Skip Meals
Sometimes it occurs that people tend to skip meals and tend to lose weight, but the resultant load shoots up instead be on the lower side. The reason is that when the body is fasting, it releases glucose that aids to maintain or increase the body weight.
When you skip meals, the body releases its glucose and triggers the liver to emit insulin, which increases your blood sugar and makes you feel ill.
When you skip meals, then your blood sugar level shoots up thereby making you feel giddy. The liver uses the glucose released by it.
When you skip meals, the medication does not work correctly thereby either lowering or increasing your blood sugar level.
Skipping meals will make you feel fatigue, and your stored energy will be used up.
Skipping meals leads to overeating sometimes and thereby not utilizing the energy will lead to accumulating fat sometimes.
People, in general, have some universal disbelief about lowering blood sugar level. But some cautious activities do increase the standard instead of decreasing.
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What are the various myths or false notions about how I reduce my blood sugar level?
Skipping meals does not lower blood sugar level, but it increases in some cases accompanied with increased body weight.
Going low carbohydrate meal is not always a reality towards low diabetes. In fact opting for a balanced meal is much more necessary. Equal proportions of vitamins, protein, and minerals are essential.
Vaping Products Should Only Be For Smokers Or Ex
The team behind the study also highlight the importance of deterring people especially youths from taking up vaping unless theyre doing so to quit smoking.
This is something we here at Vapoholic always repeat, as vape products are designed to help people quit smoking. While theyre a much safer alternative to combustible tobacco products, vape products are still not 100% safe, so wed never encourage anyone who doesnt smoke to suddenly take up vaping. If youve never smoked a cigarette then your best bet is to leave any products containing nicotine well alone.
On the other hand, if youre a smoker or ex-smoker then switching to e-cigarettes is undoubtedly a positive health choice, and research such as this study merely underlines that fact.
If youre looking to make the switch and would like some more information, check out our getting started guide. Or if youre wondering which type of e-liquid to go for, take a look at our e-liquid guide.
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Is Hyperglycaemia Serious
The aim of diabetes treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible. But if you have diabetes, no matter how careful you are, you’re likely to experience hyperglycaemia at some point.
It’s important to be able to recognise and treat hyperglycaemia, as it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
Occasional mild episodes aren’t usually a cause for concern and can be treated quite easily or may return to normal on their own. However, hyperglycaemia can be potentially dangerous if blood sugar levels become very high or stay high for long periods.
Very high blood sugar levels can cause life-threatening complications, such as:
- diabetic ketoacidosis a condition caused by the body needing to break down fat as a source of energy, which can lead to a diabetic coma this tends to affect people with type 1 diabetes
- hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state severe dehydration caused by the body trying to get rid of excess sugar this tends to affect people with type 2 diabetes
Regularly having high blood sugar levels for long periods of time can result in permanent damage to parts of the body such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys and blood vessels.
If you experience hyperglycaemia regularly, speak to your doctor or diabetes care team. You may need to change your treatment or lifestyle to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Liver And Blood Sugars
The human body is well designed to keep your blood sugar levels within a very narrow range. If you skip breakfast and do not eat for many hours, your body will sense that it is running low on glucose, one of the main sources of energy for your brain. To make sure that your brain doesn’t lack sugar, your liver will start releasing sugar, either from stored glycogen or by producing new sugar from molecules of protein. As a result, you can see a rise in your blood sugar levels even if you haven’t had anything to eat.
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What Makes Blood Glucose Go Up Or Down
Food, diabetes medicines, and physical activity have the most effect on blood glucose levels most of the time, but there are other things that can raise or lower blood glucose. Heres a list of some of what can make your blood glucose go up, go down, or go down too much resulting in hypoglycemia. UP Eating carbohydrate-containing foods Not taking the diabetes medicines you need Not taking enough of the diabetes medicines youve been prescribed Taking certain non-diabetesrelated medicines, such as steroids, some oral contraceptives, laxatives , or diuretics Eating meals or snacks too close to each other Inactivity Infection or other illness Changes in hormone levels Stress DOWN Taking diabetes medicines Being physically active Drinking alcohol Taking certain non-diabetesrelated medicines DOWN TOO LOW Not eating enough carbohydrate Taking too high a dose of diabetes medicine Taking certain non-diabetesrelated medicines such as warfarin and some antibiotics Eating meals or snacks too far apart from each other Drinking alcohol, especially on an empty stomach Being more physically active than usual Continue reading > >
Can Drinking A Lot Of Water Lower Your Blood Sugar Levels
Although feeling very thirsty is a symptom of a hyper, drinking a lot of water will not bring your blood sugar levels down. It will only help to reduce your risk of dehydration.
Its important that you take your diabetes medication to bring your blood sugar levels down. If you have consistently high blood sugar levels, you will need to follow the advice below and speak to your diabetes healthcare team.
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What Is An E
An electronic cigarette is a device that allows users to inhale nicotine by heating a vapour from a solution that contain nicotine, propylene and flavourings.
As there is no burning involved, there is no smoke like a traditional cigarette.
But while they have been branded as carrying a lower risk than cigarettes, an increasing swell of studies is showing health dangers.
E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, but the vapor does contain some harmful chemicals.
Nicotine is the highly addictive chemical which makes it difficult for smokers to quit.
Nearly three million people in Britain use e-cigarettes, and more than nine million Americans.
TYPES:
How Do I Treat Low Blood Glucose
If you begin to feel one or more symptoms of low blood glucose, check your blood glucose level. If your blood glucose level is below your target or less than 70 mg/dL, follow these steps
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When To Seek Care
Its essential that you get immediate medical attention if your blood sugar drops and you have severe symptoms, like seizures or loss of consciousness.
If you have diabetes and your blood sugar drops, and the usual quick-fix treatments dont help raise your blood sugar above 70 mg/dL, its also important to get medical care as soon as possible. This happens more commonly with taking too much long-acting insulin or sulfonylurea diabetes pills.
Also, be sure to get medical care if you dont have diabetes but have symptoms of hypoglycemia that dont go away or get worse after youve eaten at least 15 grams of carbohydrates.
Blood Sugar Spike Causes
Blood sugar levels fluctuate all day long. When you eat food, particularly foods high in carbohydrates like bread, potatoes, or pasta, your blood sugar will immediately begin to rise.
If your blood sugar is consistently high, you need to talk with a doctor about improving your diabetes management. Blood sugar rises when:
- youre not taking enough insulin
- your insulin isnt lasting as long as you think it is
- youre not taking your oral diabetes medication
- your medication dosage needs to be adjusted
- youre using expired insulin
- youre not following your nutritional plan
- you have an illness or infection
- youre taking certain medications, like steroids
- youre under physical stress, such as an injury or surgery
- youre under emotional stress, such as trouble at work or home, or with money problems
If your blood sugar is usually well managed but youre still experiencing unexplained blood sugar spikes, there might be an acute, or more recent, cause.
Try keeping a record of all the food and drinks you consume. Then check your blood sugar levels according to your doctors recommendations.
Its common to record your blood sugar reading first thing in the morning, before youve eaten, and then again 2 hours after eating.
Even a few days of recorded information can help you and your doctor learn whats causing your blood sugar spikes.
Common reasons for blood sugar spikes include:
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