The HOW TO of achieving control of blood sugar (glucose) varies for every person, since diabetics are treated differently. Diabetic treatment typically includes dietary management, tablets or insulin.
1. Weight loss
Insulin resistance is the precursor for Type II diabetes. Therefore weight loss is essential in the process of managing insulin resistance and prevention and treatment of Type II diabetes.
2. Choose low Glyceamic Index (GI) carbohydrates
It is clear that when you eat carbohydrates, it will increase your blood (sugar) glucose level.
3. Be Carb Smart
Look at your total daily carbohydrate intake and distribution. Educate yourself on how much carbohydrates you can eat during snack and meal times and how to space those meals out so that you can better control your levels of blood sugar. Keep eating habits consistent and eat the same amount of carbohydrates on a daily basis.
4. Add lean proteins to meals and snacks
Try to include lean protein foods (such as chicken, fish, eggs) at least twice a day as part of a meal. Meat will not increase your blood glucose. Lean protein slows down the speed at which carbs are absorbed, thus leading to improved glucose levels, reducing insulin requirements and keeping you fuller for longer.
5.Choose unsaturated fats
Saturated fats have been shown to increase insulin resistance, thus raising blood sugars – opt for unsaturated fats.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega 3 fats are essential fatty acids, known to improve insulin sensitivity and other diabetes-related issues such as blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, boost immunity.
7. Exercise
People with diabetes are encouraged to exercise regularly for better blood-glucose control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
9. Set time aside for quality sleep
Too little sleep or poor sleep can disrupt your hormones, leading to increased appetite, higher blood sugar and a thicker waistline.
10. Chromium
Some research suggests that chromium supplementation (in the form of picolinate) may work as an insulin sensitiser and improve blood glucose levels in people with Type I or Type II diabetes.
11. Write it down
Get in the habit of writing your critical information down. Record your daily blood-sugar levels to track how food, activity and medication affect your blood-glucose test results.
12.Know your HbA1c
By measuring HbA1c, we are able to get an overall picture of what your average blood sugar levels have been over the previous two to three months. At least once a year, your doctor should check your long-term diabetes control by performing this blood test.
* Contact 021 872 8986 or visit Paarl Dietitians.wordpress.com for more information. The staff of Paarl Dietitians are trained to manage a variety of diseases requiring nutrition therapy.
When a patient consults Paarl Dietitians, they will receive individual advice and an eating plan based on their specific problem that will suit his/her lifestyle. Each consultation includes an individual assessment since there is no “blueprint” diet that will work for everyone.
They use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which we translate into practical solutions and guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices for healthy living.
When a patient consults us, they are protected from misleading treatments and misinformation.
