Where blood sugar is our main energy source in the body, its increased levels are associated with a number of health problems. When talking about increased blood sugar levels, the first thing that comes to our mind is diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the blood sugar controlling hormone insulin isn’t sufficiently produced by the pancreas or the body isn’t able to use insulin efficiently for blood sugar control. In either case, an uncontrolled state of diabetes can lead to various health issues like gum diseases, kidney problems, nerve damage, sexual problems in both men and women, heart attacks, and so on.
- Let’s understand more about diabetes
- Healthy eating and dietary changes
- Newer food options for Diabetes management : Diabetic Shakes
- Monitoring your Blood Sugar Levels
- Consultations and Guidance from Healthcare Professionals
- FAQs on Diabetes Management
Let’s understand more about diabetes
Diabetes is majorly classified into two categories: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes:
- An autoimmune disease often seen in children
- The immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells (beta cells) in the pancreas. Insulin being the essential hormone for blood sugar regulation, when the body fails to produce enough insulin, the regulation of sugar in the bloodstream tends to get hampered.
Factors believed to be associated with Type 1 diabetes
Combination of environmental factors (e.g viruses) and genetic factors.
Type 2 diabetes:
Results when the body isn’t able to effectively use the insulin hormone for blood sugar regulation.
The lifestyle of an individual is seen to be majorly associated with this type of diabetes.
A few common factors associated with Type 2 diabetes
- Overweight
- An inactive lifestyle
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
Besides these two major types of diabetes, there’s also gestational diabetes, which is seen in pregnant women where the hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy hamper the body’s ability to effectively use insulin to regulate the sugar in the bloodstream.
Common symptoms of increased blood sugar levels in the body
An increase in the blood sugar levels in the body, irrespective of what’s causing this increase, tends to show a few common symptoms like:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Increased frequency of urination (especially at night)
- Excessive thirst
- Increases hunger
- Increased chances of skin infections
- Slow healing of wounds
- Itchy skin
Where a few of the individuals might require insulin therapy or regular medications for diabetes control or management, a few others are able to manage diabetes with lifestyle changes like healthy eating, dietary changes, regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, exercise, etc. The overall idea is to follow proven methods for better diabetes management or control.
Here are some easy yet amazing tips that can become a part of your ultimate diabetes care guide:
Healthy eating and dietary changes
Changes in the diet when suffering from diabetes involve a lot more than just avoiding or cutting down on sugary foods like sweets, candies, cakes, etc. Carb (carbohydrate) counting is very important when trying to manage blood sugar levels, as the carbohydrate intake of an individual can influence his or her blood sugar levels.
Reason behind why Carb counting is important?
This is based on the process by which the body breaks down the carbohydrates into sugar (mainly glucose), which is then used by the body or stored in the body in the form of energy.
In individuals who do not produce enough insulin or the ones who are insulin-resistant, this process of using and storing the broken-down sugars in the form of energy is hampered, in turn leading to a rise in glucose levels in the body.
Hence, for individuals suffering from diabetes, it is recommended that they follow a low-carb diet.
Foods to include in low-carb diet
- Whole grains over the ones that are processed
- Fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, whole grains, etc.
Including fiber -rich foods in your diet can slow down the digestion of carbs (carbohydrate) as well as sugar absorption, thereby aiding a gradual rise in the sugar levels in the bloodstream and preventing a sudden spike in the blood sugar levels.
Newer food options for Diabetes management : Diabetic Shakes
To help you manage this hustle of carb counting and healthy eating for blood sugar management, one of the easy and healthy options are diabetic shakes.
What are Diabetic Shakes and how are they a good choice?
- Quick and super convenient way to provide your body with the required amount of nutrients.
- High in fiber, low in fat, protein-rich, and loaded with lots of vitamins and other essential nutrients.
- Make a great meal for individuals suffering from diabetes
- Do not have to worry about long hours of meal preparation and making those difficult healthy food choices.
Incorporating Diabetic shakes like the Saffola FITTIFY Diabetic Shakes in your routine is a healthy way to manage your blood sugar levels in a super tasty way.
Monitoring your Blood Sugar Levels
Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly is another super important part of our list of long-term solutions for improved diabetes.
Use a glucometer at home for timely investigations or go for regular blood test at the laboratory
Recommend times to monitor blood sugar levels?
- Morning (10-12 hours fasting)
- Before meals
- 2 hours after a meal
- At bedtime
This not only helps you keep a check on your blood sugar levels and know how close you are to the recommended blood sugar targets, but also help you understand the small changes needed in your meal or your routine for better blood sugar management.
Staying Active
Physical activities or regular exercises not only aid the use of blood sugar for energy but also help improve the efficiency of insulin in the body. Maintain a regular exercise schedule along with regular medication and a healthy diet.
Managing Stress
Stress does play a role in causing a rise in your blood sugar levels. When an individual is stressed, the body tends to release hormones (cortisol and glucagon) that lead to a rise in blood sugar levels.
Ways to release stress
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Regular exercise
- Music therapy
Consultations and Guidance from Healthcare Professionals
Just like with other conditions, diabetes management also differs from person to person. Be it for your exercise schedule, diet planning, ways to incorporate diabetic shakes in your routine, medications, insulin therapy, or any other medical guidance, make sure you consult a healthcare professional for the best guidance to manage diabetes and control your blood sugar levels in the right manner.
Summary
- Diabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar tends to rise if the body does not produce enough insulin or if the insulin isn’t being effectively used by the body for sugar control.
- Factors like genetic factors, environmental factors, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalance, family history, etc. lead to diabetes
- Diabetes can be managed by lifestyle changes, medication, or insulin therapy, depending on the type of diabetes.
- Simple lifestyle changes can also help individuals lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Healthy eating, regular exercise, stress management, and the right kind of consultation and advice from healthcare experts are a few strategies for successful diabetes management and control.
- Diabetic shakes are a good choice to incorporate into a daily routine for managing blood sugar levels in the body.
FAQs on Diabetes Management
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Are diabetic shakes a suitable meal replacement option for individuals with diabetes?
Diabetic shakes are a great meal replacement option, especially for those with diabetes, if chosen and incorporated correctly into the daily routine. Consulting an expert is a good idea to understand how to incorporate diabetic shakes in your regular meal plan for better diabetes management.
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What should I look for when choosing diabetic shakes?
When choosing a diabetic shake, go for ones that are low in fats or saturated sats, high in protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, along with being free of any kind of added sugars in them. -
Can diabetic shakes help regulate blood sugar levels effectively?
Diabetic shakes work effectively when it comes to regulating blood sugar levels. Diabetic shakes are the perfect blend of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that get slowly digested, not allowing blood sugar levels to spike. Additionally, they help you curb your cravings and keep you fuller for longer, preventing you from binging on junk foods that can spike your blood sugar. -
Can I incorporate diabetic shakes into my current meal plan and still maintain a balanced diet?
Diabetic shakes can be incorporated into a current meal plan with a slight dietary alteration. These alterations are recommended to be done with correct nutritional guidance by an expert and with the right choice of diabetic shakes. -
Are there any specific diabetic shake recipes that cater to different dietary preferences or restrictions?
Diabetic shake recipes can be prepared based on your preferences, food restrictions, and taste palate.
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What are the food options that can be a part of your Diabetic shake recipe?
- Low-sugar fruits
- Vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Seeds
- Nuts
