Tips to lower blood sugar

Know smart food choices to control high blood sugar

Diabetes Expert's View

It is highly crucial to manage high blood sugar levels. However, this involves many factors like daily routine, including diet, exercise routine, sleep cycle. One must opt for smart choices of food to control blood sugar level.

High blood sugar levels are often referred to as Hyperglycaemia, a condition in which there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. This condition can cause fatigue, nausea, frequent hunger, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight loss, urination in large amounts, and recurrent infections.

Foods to lower our blood sugar

  • Berries

  • Nuts like almonds, cashews or even pistachios

  • Leafy greens

  • Non-starchy vegetables

  • Whole grains

Ways to manage high blood sugar

Here are five most simple and effective ways to lower blood sugar levels.

  1. Plan Balanced Meals: One of the most important habits to adopt to maintain healthy blood sugar levels is to plan balanced meals. A healthy eating plan includes knowing what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat. Include healthy foods such as fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your regular diet. 

  2. Carbohydrate Counting: Carbohydrate counting is keeping track of how many grams of carbohydrates you consume throughout the day. Carbs are measured in grams. One can find total carb grams on the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods. You can also check this list or use an app to find grams of carbs in foods and drinks. For diabetes meal planning, one carb serving is about 15 grams of carbs. 

  3. Plate Method: The plate method is one of the easiest ways to create and plan healthy meals that can be effective in managing blood sugar. In this method, one simply needs to fill half plate with non-starchy vegetables especially fibres, a quarter with lean protein and the other half a quarter with carbohydrate foods like fruits or whole grains. 

  4. Portion Sizes: Portion sizes play a significant role in managing blood sugar and diabetes. Portion size is amount of food you choose to eat at one time and can vary from meal to meal. 

  5. Eliminate Sugary Drinks: Sugary drinks contain excessive amounts of added sugar and other sweeteners that can cause an instant blood sugar spike. Consuming these beverages is associated with weight gain, obesity, high blood sugar levels, heart diseases, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver diseases, and more. 

While these habits may help an individual control their blood sugar, it is vital for individuals to monitor their blood sugar level regularly.

FAQ on foods that help manage high blood sugar

What foods will lower blood sugar quickly?

Foods like blueberries, beans, leafy greens, dates, oats, mushrooms are considered good to lower blood sugar level.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast?

Below are few ways to reduce blood sugar.

  1. Regular physical activities

  2. Consuming less carbs

  3. Increasing fiber intake

  4. Good water intake

  5. Having moderate portions

  6. Reducing stress

  7. Good quality sleep

  8. Foods rich in chromium and magnesium

What brings sugar down immediately?

Taking doctor prescribed insulin shot helps to lower the blood sugar level.