We tend to forget that one suffers from high blood sugar when the body fails to transport sugar from the blood to the cells. Hence, insufficient production of insulin leads to an accumulation of glucose in the blood which causes diabetes. If left unchecked, it can cause cardiovascular diseases.
However, it is a sheer misconception that blood sugar levels cannot be controlled without medicines. The easiest way to control blood sugar is to maintain a healthy diet with more intake of drinks. Therefore, don’t shy away from experimenting with different combinations of food according to your body requirements. Here are ten exquisite ways which can help you control your blood sugar levels:
[Also Read 5 Tips for a Healthy Diabetic Lifestyle]
Increase the consumption of green leafy vegetables :
They can play an instrumental role in significantly reducing diabetes risk. The sole reason behind it is that these nutritional powerhouses have high mineral and vitamin levels, low carbohydrate content and possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Kale, spinach, and chard are best for regular salad options. You can even roast them with veggies to add a different flavor to your deliciously cooked dish. Also, it is advisable that you consume it in raw form that steaming as that will help in retaining the nutrients.
[Also Read Fruits and Vegetables for Diabetes]
Exercising regularly :
Regular exercises can do wonders in reducing your blood sugar levels. It will not only help you in losing weight but also improve your insulin sensitivity drastically. This, in turn, will help your cells to use the available sugar in your bloodstream in an efficient manner.
At the same time, physically exhausting exercises like walking, running, swimming and biking can help you use blood sugar for increased energy. Don’t be afraid to make suitable changes according to how your body reacts to different physical activities.
[Also Read Diabetes: Here is How to Manage Diabetes with Exercise]
Watch this Video To Understand How Exercise Can Lower Blood Glucose?
Stay hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals :
Increased intake of drinking water can help lower the blood sugar levels by diluting the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. Furthermore, it can also help in flushing out excess blood sugar through urine and preventing dehydration in the body. It is highly recommended that you go for water and other such non-caloric beverages. On the other hand, sugar-sweetened drinks will lead to weight gain, increased diabetes risk, and a rise in glucose levels.
Adequate quality sleep is must :
The connection between diabetes and sleep is hard to imagine. Isn’t it?
You will be surprised to know that poor sleeping habits can directly affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. Lack of sleep will increase cortisol levels in your body and thus decrease the release of growth hormones. Both of them are important in regulating blood sugar levels.
Further Reading: How lack of sleep is related to Insulin Resistance
Eating Fenugreek Seeds:
Fenugreek seeds are considered to be a great source of soluble fiber. They can improve glucose tolerance and reducing fasting glucose. These seeds contain chemicals and fibers which slow down the process of digestion by preventing absorption of sugar and carbohydrates. No wonder that fenugreek seeds are considered the safest herbs in curing diabetes.
Watch this Video To Understand How Fenugreek can help control Blood Sugar?
Intake of apple cider vinegar :
According to a recent survey, consuming vinegar with complex carbohydrates can reduce post-meal blood sugar levels to as much as 20%. It contains acetic acid which acts as a catalyst in slowing down the conversion of complex carbs in the bloodstreams. This prevents a spike in blood sugar levels.
Food with a low glycemic index is advisable :
The glycemic index evaluates the body’s blood sugar response to foods that contain carbs. Meat, oats, barley, sweet potatoes, yams, corns, legumes, seafood, beans, lentils, and other non-starchy vegetables can prove to be extremely beneficial in curing diabetes. The ultimate goal is to reduce overall carb intake. Therefore, you cannot afford to miss out on including these options in your diet plan.
[Also Read 7 Low Glycemic foods for the DIABETIC!]
A quick glance just for you
Hence, in a nutshell, changes in lifestyle and diet can help you reduce your blood sugar levels significantly. All you need to keep in mind is that not everything you might try out will yield great results. Thus, be open to doing what is practically feasible for you. Also, it is highly recommended that you take a regular diabetes controllability test to keep a note of the numbers to further improvise your plan of action.
Also, Read Diabetes diet: Make your Healthy Food Choices and Eating Plan
Conclusion:
Diabetes is a household name in the current generation. There has been a drastic increase in the number of people affected by type 1 as well as type 2 diabetes. However, diabetes should not be considered a dreadful disease and load yourself with medications.
Diabetes should be considered a lifestyle disorder and treated accordingly. Making a few alterations to your everyday routine and changing your diet accordingly will have huge impact on diabetes management. These small changes along with herbal medicine not only bring down your blood sugar levels but also avoid other related complications.
