Ignoring all other things and focusing only on food and drink, sometimes the blood sugar level becomes unbalanced, due to which one may have to face many problems.
Many people focus only on diet for diabetes management. But is diet really enough to manage blood sugar? It is very important for all diabetic patients to know this, because most of the patients consider only diet as the medicine for their disease. Ignoring all other things and focusing only on food and drink, sometimes the blood sugar level becomes unbalanced, due to which one may have to face many problems (How to manage blood sugar level).
Today, to understand this seriously, we spoke to Dr. Saket Kant, Principal Consultant, Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine, Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi. So let us know, apart from diet, what other things are important in diabetes management (How to manage blood sugar level).
Can blood sugar be managed only with the help of diet (diabetes management with diet)?
Dr. Saket Kant says, “Diabetes has become a very common but serious problem in today’s time. Healthy diet alone is not enough to keep it under control. A healthy diet is important, but along with it, it is important to take care of many other things, so that the blood sugar level can be maintained and oneself can be protected from its damage.”
“First of all, include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and the right amount of protein in your diet. Avoid sweet, processed food and fried food as much as possible. Along with this, regular exercise is also very important. “By doing 30 to 40 minutes of walking, yoga, or any physical activity every day, blood sugar remains under control and the body remains fit.”
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He further says, “It is very important to manage stress. Taking too much stress can increase the blood sugar level. You can reduce stress by meditating or spending time in your favorite work. If you smoke or consume alcohol, try to quit it. Both these habits can worsen the condition of diabetes. Another important part of diabetes management is regular checkups. Keep checking blood sugar level from time to time and consult a doctor. With this, you will have a correct idea of your condition and you will be able to make necessary changes at the right time (How to manage blood sugar level).”
Know which factors help you in blood sugar management apart from diet (How to manage blood sugar level)
1. Regular testing of blood sugar is important
The blood sugar level of diabetic patients usually remains high, which is controlled by diet. But sometimes even after taking medicine, eating something or suddenly can cause a spike or fall in blood sugar. Therefore, all patients are advised to keep track of blood sugar levels. If sugar has increased, you can adopt measures to control it.
A person suffering from diabetes can use a glucose monitor at home to check his blood sugar level. An alternative is the continuous glucose monitor, which is a medical device. It allows the person to check his blood sugar easily.
2. Focus on weight management
You must have heard that in case of diabetes, a person’s weight starts increasing, while the risk of diabetes increases in a person suffering from obesity. Maintaining a moderate weight helps a person manage his diabetes better. Research suggests a link between obesity and insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that allows glucose in the blood to enter cells. Therefore, maintain a healthy weight by managing diet and participating in exercise according to your body.
3. Be active
It is important for everyone to participate in physical activities for some time every day. It is not necessary that you go to the gym, participating in normal activities like household chores, walking your pet can also help in staying healthy. Exercise has many health benefits and also helps a person manage their blood sugar levels.
Specifically, exercise increases insulin sensitivity, causing muscle cells to use the hormone more effectively to take up glucose and use it for energy. It may help reduce blood sugar.
4. It is important to get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep can help in diabetes management. According to the National Library of Medicine, a healthy adult should get a proper sleep of 7 to 9 hours. Lack of sleep can have a number of effects on the body, including increasing insulin resistance, increasing appetite, causing cravings for foods rich in carbs and sugar, weight gain, increasing blood pressure, impairing immunity to fight infection. This includes reduced systemic efficiency, increased risk of depression and anxiety. All these factors can cause blood sugar spikes in diabetic patients and reduce their quality of life.
5. Focus on stress management
Stress can affect your blood sugar levels. When stressed, your body releases hormones called glucagon and cortisol, which can increase blood sugar levels. In such a situation, exercise, meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, journaling, arts and crafts, psychotherapy, your favorite hobbies, exercise and relaxation, such as yoga and mindfulness-based stress management techniques can help you in controlling stress. These activities can help in curing insulin related problems in chronic diabetes patients.
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