How To Lower Glucose Level Quickly

Foods That Lower Blood Sugar

You can quickly lower your blood sugar with the help of eating lots of delicious foods. You dont have to miss out on fun or taste. The Pritikin Eating Plan focuses on eating a lot of food, particularly whole foods that are naturally rich in fiber and naturally low in fats, sugars, and refined foods.

Guests at the Pritikin Center experience how delicious these whole foods can be as the extraordinary chefs serve up sensational culinary creations. Plus, guests can learn how to prepare these healthy foods, as well as shop for them. At Pritikin, you learn which foods are best for reversing diabetes in seminars, such as the Diabetic Luncheon with the helpful dietitians.

Switching to a healthier lifestyle did more than reverse Jeffs diabetes. I felt as good as I did when I was in high school. And all this without taking any medications just eating healthy and exercising. Thats all it was! Jeff is just one of thousands of people who have come to Pritikin and found changes to their lifestyle transformed their health. The reason Pritikin has worked so well for so many is because of the science behind it. Food can treat high blood pressure , diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and weight management.

Tips To Measure And Control Portion Sizes

Obesity is a growing epidemic, as more people than ever are struggling to control their weight.

Increased portion sizes are thought to contribute to overeating and unwanted weight gain .

Research indicates that many factors can influence how much you eat.

People tend to eat almost all of what they serve themselves. Therefore, controlling portion sizes can help prevent overindulging .

Here are 9 tips to measure and control portion sizes both at home and on the go.

What To Eat When Your Blood Sugar Is High

Usually, you can still eat all the regular fat, fiber, and protein-rich foods youâd typically eat when your blood sugar is elevated. There is no need to restrict food or eliminate carbohydrates in these moments, but it does warrant being more aware of the foods youâre eating and really ensuring weâre filling your plate with complex carbohydrates and nutrient-rich protein sources. Next time your blood sugar is high and youâre wondering what foods help lower blood sugars or what to eat for your next meal try one of these meals:

You May Like: Symptoms Of Blood Sugar Spikes

Diabetes And Your Immune System

When your blood sugar is higher than it should be, that defense system starts to break down. One effect is increased inflammation throughout your body and especially in your blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease.

A weakened immune system also means you have an increased risk of contracting common infections like colds, flu, skin infections or pneumonia, and more serious ones like bone, joint, or heart infections. In fact, a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, found that people with diabetes are twice as likely to be hospitalized or die from a serious infection compared to those without diabetes.

Thats an important reason to manage your blood sugar. The closer to normal it stays throughout the day, the easier it is for your immune system to do its job. Heres what to aim for:

• If you have prediabetes, try to keep your fasting sugar below 100 mg/dL, and your A1c below 5.7%. Those numbers are considered normal no diabetes.
• If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends working to keep your fasting or premeal blood sugar under 130 mg/dL, and your A1c under 7.0%.

Luckily, there are a few natural ways to improve your blood sugar and support your immune system at the same time. And hey, anything that kills two birds with one stone is good in my book!

You May Like: High Blood Sugar What To Do

How You Can Lower Your Sugar Level Quickly

Having high blood sugar level is very dangerous. It cancause a number of serious health problems among which are: increased risk ofheart attack and stroke, blood vessel disease, eye damage , nephropathy , sleep apnea, pregnancy complications,nerve damage , fungal or bacterial infections, feet damage that canlead to amputation, and Alzheimers disease. Undoubtedly, it is in your bestinterest to keep you blood sugar level under control. To succeed in doing so, youneed to figure out what elevates your blood sugar into the danger zone. Thatwill help to decide how to bring it back to normal even though the reason forhigh blood sugar is not always obvious.

Recommended Reading: How To Come Sugar Disease

Also Check: How To Give Insulin Injection

Stick To Your Medication And Insulin Regimen

Skipping a dose of medication or insulin can be harmful to your body and increase your blood sugar levels.

Its important to stick to your treatment plan and follow your doctors instructions for taking your medication.

Summary

Healthful lifestyle habits can help people manage their blood sugar levels over the long term, such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, staying hydrated, and getting good sleep.

How To Lower Blood Sugar Quickly And Safely According To Doctors

Use these endocrinologist-approved strategies to recover from a blood sugar spike.

More than 34 million people in the U.S. have diabetesa condition that requires constant blood monitoring, careful consideration of every meal, and being prepared for unexpected drops or spikes in blood sugar. I try to impress on my patients all the time that there’s a curse and a benefit to diabetes and both of them is that you have so much control, saysBeatrice Hong, M.D., an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at Duke University. She says if you have a good understanding of the condition and put effort into managing it, you can do wellbut a lot of responsibility is in your hands.

No matter the type of diabetes you have, for your body to function at its best, blood glucose levels must be kept in check. If they go too low or too high and you dont address it immediately, the effects can be detrimental. In the short-term, if you let your sugar stay too high, you run the risk of it getting worse and becoming something serious like diabetic ketoacidosis orhyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndromeboth of which could land you in the hospital, says Dr. Hong. On the long-term side, the longer your sugars stay high, the more likely you are to have long-term complications. Diabetes is such a systemic disease that having high blood sugars can be cumulative over time so you run the risk of eye problems, kidney problems, nerve problems, foot problems, or heart problems.

Don’t Miss: How High Blood Sugar Is Dangerous

How Can I Measure My Blood Sugar Levels

You can measure your blood glucose levels with a glucometer. First, you prick your finger with a small device called a lancet to get a drop of blood. Your blood goes on a test strip which you put into the glucometer. Then, the device tells you your blood sugar levels.

You can also use a continuous glucose monitoring device, which uses a sensor that’s placed under your skin to automatically check your levels every few minutes.

Why Are Healthy Blood Sugar Levels Important

All the cells of our body are fueled by sugar in our blood stream. Simple sugars are absorbed into your bloodstream very quickly, while more complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and absorb. Over time regularly eating large amounts of simple processed sugars can impact your bodyâs ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are consistently elevated, you could be diagnosed with prediabetes.6

According to the American Diabetes Association, 88 million people in the U.S, have prediabetes,7 which is a concerning statistic given how life-changing this diagnosis can be. If you are concerned about maintaining your blood sugar levels, increasing fiber intake by adding Metamucil to your daily routine can help.*

You May Like: How Can I Check If I Have Diabetes

Understanding Your Blood Sugar And Exercise

The effect physical activity has on your blood sugar will vary depending on how long you are active and many other factors. Physical activity can lower your blood sugar up to 24 hours or more after your workout by making your body more sensitive to insulin.

Become familiar with how your blood sugar responds to exercise. Checking your blood sugar level more often before and after exercise can help you see the benefits of activity. You also can use the results of your blood sugar checks to see how your body reacts to different activities. Understanding these patterns can help you prevent your blood sugar from going too high or too low.

Get Enough Sleep Every Night

Sleep is important for overall health, and it can also help to lower blood sugar levels.

Studies have shown that people who dont get enough sleep are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Plus, sleep deprivation can lead to insulin resistance, which can also contribute to high blood sugar levels.

So make sure youre getting enough sleep every night if you want to keep your blood sugar levels under control.

How much sleep do you need?

You May Like: Type 2 Diabetes How To Bring Blood Sugar Down

How Psyllium Fiber Helps Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

According to the Cleveland Clinic, among supplements that have been studied for their ability to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, psylliumâs evidence was graded the highest. Research has shown that psyllium fiber can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels when looking at both fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c â an indicator of average blood sugar over the previous 2-3 months.8

It helps control hunger.

Since consuming sugar or carbohydrate heavy foods is what makes our blood sugar levels rise, limiting sugar intake is one way of helping maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Psyllium fiber supplements like Metamucil can help you feel fuller longer by forming a gel in the digestive tract.* This mechanism can help curb hunger between meals, reducing your desire to eat.*

One study showed that taking 2 servings of Metamucil before breakfast and lunch for 3 consecutive days enhanced feelings of fullness and decreased feelings of hunger.9

It traps sugar in the digestive system.

Metamucil, through its gelling action, also helps slow sugar absorption from the digestive tract. Without a gel forming fiber, sugars are free to rapidly be absorbed into the bloodstream and raising blood sugar levels.10

How does psyllium work?

When psyllium mixes with water in the body, it forms a gel that is not digested, absorbed, or broken down.11

Start All Meals With A Glass Of Water

Drinking a glass of water up to 30 minutes before a meal will naturally aid portion control.

Filling up on water will make you feel less hungry. Being well hydrated also helps you distinguish between hunger and thirst.

One study in middle-aged and older adults observed that drinking 17 ounces of water before each meal resulted in a 44% greater decline in weight over 12 weeks, most likely due to reduced food intake .

Similarly, when overweight and obese older adults drank 17 ounces of water 30 minutes before a meal, they consumed 13% fewer calories without trying to make any changes .

In another study in young normal-weight men, drinking a similar amount of water immediately before a meal resulted in greater feelings of fullness and reduced food intake .

Therefore, having a glass of water before each meal can help prevent overeating and aid portion control.

Summary Drinking

For example, people ate 129% more candies when served from a large container than a small one .

In another study, participants consumed over 180 fewer grams of snacks per week when given 100-gram snack packs than when given snacks in standard-sized packages .

Rather than eating snacks from the original packaging, empty them into a small bowl to prevent eating more than you need.

Summary Eating food from larger packages or containers encourages increased intake. Try re-portioning snacks into individual portions and serving family meals from plates to prevent overeating.

Also Check: Sell Diabetic Test Strips Pickup

Diabetes: 10 Foods And Drinks To Help Manage Blood Sugar

Sub Heading

Diabetes friendly food options are as close as your kitchen.

Main Image

5 MIN. READ

Description

When you have prediabetes or diabetes, a healthy diabetes meal plan is key to managing your blood sugar. Sometimes it can be tricky to know which foods and drinks are good choices, but these 10 picks can help keep your numbers in check.

1. Beans

Whether they’re lentils, kidney, pinto, black or garbanzo, beans are a low-glycemic index food. That means their carbohydrates are gradually released so they’re less likely to cause blood sugar spikes. They’re so beneficial that one study found that eating a daily cup of beans for three months as part of a low-glycemic index diet lowered HbA1c by half a percentage point.

Try it! Swap in beans for half the meat in tacos or your favorite chili recipe.

2. Apples

You might think that there’s no room in a diabetic meal plan for fruit, but apples are also low glycemic. Aiming for foods like apples that are low or medium on the glycemic index is one way to manage blood sugar levels. And eating an apple a day has its benefits they are high in fiber, vitamin C as well as fat-free! Not to mention a portable and easy snack option.

Try it! Toss an apple in your lunch bag or grab one between meals. Bake them and add cinnamon for warm treat.

3. Almonds

Try it! For healthy snacking on-the-go, pack one-ounce portions of almonds into single-serve containers.

4. Spinach

5. Chia Seeds

6. Glucerna® Shakes and Bars

7. Blueberries

8. Oatmeal

First Check Your Ketones

In people with type 1 diabetes, high blood sugars can put you at risk of developing ketones. Blood sugar levels over 250 mg/dL with too little insulin can quickly turn into diabetic ketoacidosis if it continues to rise.

Test your urine for ketones, and contact your doctor or visit an urgent care facility if you measure with moderate to large ketones. When large ketones are present, correcting a high blood sugar with insulin via pump or injection wont be effective. Instead, youll likely need intravenous fluids for a few hours to restabilize.

If you only have moderate ketones or less, you may be able to correct with insulin at home but youll likely need a larger dose than normal. Contact your healthcare team if you test positive for ketones and are unsure of how to safely manage the situation.

You May Like: What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Sugar Cravings

You May Like: Where To Get Diabetic Test Strips

Reduce Your Sugar Intake

The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day. That translates to around 350 calories .

While some of this is added as table sugar, most of it comes from processed and prepared foods, such as candy, cookies and sodas.

You have no nutritional need for added sugar like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup. They are, in effect, just empty calories.

Your body breaks these simple sugars down very easily, causing an almost immediate spike in blood sugar.

Studies show that consuming sugars is associated with developing insulin resistance.

This is when the cells fail to respond as they should to the release of insulin, resulting in the body not being able to control blood sugar effectively .

In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration changed the way foods have to be labeled in the US. Foods now have to display the amount of added sugars they contain in grams and as a percentage of the recommended daily maximum intake.

An alternative option to giving up sugar entirely is to replace it with sugar substitutes.

Summary:

Sugar is effectively empty calories. It causes an immediate blood sugar spike and high intake is associated with insulin resistance.

What Is My Icr

Everyones insulin-to-carb ratio is different. Some people will even have different ICR ratios for breakfast than for other meals. If you do not know your ICR, ask your healthcare provider or dietitian.

How many carbs you should eat will depend on many factors. If you aren’t sure, reach out to your provider or dietitian for advice.

Read Also: How Many Carbs Allowed For Type 2 Diabetes

Take Missed Diabetes Medication

I don’t generally recommend that you take it on an as-needed basis, says Dr. Hong. Typically, diabetes medications are meant to be taken on a daily basis or in a scheduled way. If you forget to take your medication, then absolutely, your blood sugars can go up, and then if you take it again, the sugars will certainly come back down, says Dr. Hong. Just keep in mind that medications wont work as quickly as insulin, especially if its been a while since you had your last dose or if you havent been taking it as often as you should.

When To See A Healthcare Provider

If you don’t feel like your usual self and have any symptoms of high blood sugar, test it to confirm.

If your blood sugar happens to be elevated and it’s an isolated event, odds are that you can probably get it back to normal on your own. Go for a walk or do some light exercise, drink extra water, and take your medicine as prescribed.

On the other hand, if you are experiencing elevated blood sugars for several consecutive days, give your medical team a call, as you may need to tweak your treatment plan.

If you don’t have diabetes and notice any of these signs or symptoms, are overweight or obese, or have a family history of diabetes, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to be screened. Both macro and microvascular complications of diabetes can occur before diagnosis, so the sooner you receive treatment, the better.

If you’ve noticed that your child is drinking, eating, and urinating more often than usual, a trip to the healthcare provider is a good idea, especially if you’ve seen a quick change in their weight. If the symptoms appear to be more severe and resemble those of DKA, go to the emergency room right away.

If your child has symptoms of hyperglycemia and their blood sugar is greater than 240 mg/dL, they should be tested for ketones. In the event of a positive test, depending on the severity of the ketones, you may be advised to go to the emergency room.

Don’t Miss: Low Blood Sugar Levels Chart For Adults