If you want optimal blood sugar levels, you’ll find that learning 8 simple steps to balance your blood sugar levels each day will be the key to keeping things on an even keel. Today, we’d like to share these eight easy steps.
We want you to know that it’s possible to monitor and maintain blood sugar levels, without needing to spend a lot of time and effort doing it. It is simple to stay on top of things, and we hope that our tips give you the insight and help that you’re looking for.
Every tip on our list is natural. This means that you won’t need to invest in anything beyond food or supplements to get good results. We love these tips because they won’t cost you extra money and they are so easy to incorporate into your daily lifestyle. We recommend using all of them, as all have value and they will work together to promote healthier blood sugar levels. However, using even one of them will be beneficial.
Snack Between Meals
A healthy snack between meals will be a perfect way to keep your blood sugar at normal and healthy levels. The best snacks for this purpose are veggies, certain types of fruit (stone fruit and berries are fine choices), nuts, seeds and whole grains.
It’s also good for overall energy to snack on a regular basis. It’s really the key to giving the body a steady flood of what it needs to function effectively. Some people think snacking is bad. This really isn’t the case. Snacks should be small and healthy and eaten alongside healthy meals with correct (i.e. recommended) portion sizes.
When you snack between meals, your body will always have the fuel that it needs, so you’ll be less likely to experience blood sugar dips and spikes during the day. You’ll probably feel much better, and you should track your results to see what happens with your blood glucose levels when you do make snacking between meals a part of your routine.
Eat A High-Protein Breakfast
If you wish to control your blood glucose levels, with a mind to feeling better each day, you should take care to add a protein source at breakfast. Whether it’s eggs, turkey bacon, tofu or any other protein, you’ll find that this menu item has the power to help stabilize your blood sugar levels. You should be able to find a lot of great high-protein breakfast recipes online. It’s smart to change it up regarding which proteins and other ingredients you use. This will give you access to more nutrients.
A study has shown that breakfasts which do contain protein minimize blood glucose and insulin dips, particularly in females. While this tip is best for women, it’s something that both sexes should try.
As well, if you’re concerned about your weight, you may find that adding lean protein is one of the secrets of losing weight. You’ll feel more satiated, and protein also helps to build muscle.
Stay Away from Sugar and Refined Carbs
Some food ingredients and foods cause a lot of blood sugar problems. The key offenders are sugar and refined carbs. If you’re prone to eating sugar-rich foods, consider the fact that diabetics stay away from them. They do so to avoid diabetic symptoms and in order to normalize their blood glucose levels.
Refined carbs are also bad choices, and you’ll find these in an array of processed foods. Cakes, cookies, white bread and rolls are just a few examples of places where you’ll find refined carbs, as well as (in most cases) quite a bit of sugar. You probably know by now what bad carbs are and why you should stay away from them.
When you do, as a bonus, you may lose weight. These bad carbs wreak havoc with insulin levels, and the fluctuations tend to cause bloating and fat storage. It’s not so much about the calories. It’s about insulin. As for sugar, it’s everywhere. Check product labels. If it’s near the top, you should stay away. It’s possible to go sugar-free and still enjoy great desserts and so on. Check online for recipes which make this easier for you.
Stimulants (including Adderall and Dexedrine, to name just two examples) work within the brain the way that major brain neurotransmitters (which are known as monoamines) do. When you use stimulants, you’ll find that they strengthen the effects of brain chemicals.
Dopamine increases will bring out feelings of euphoria. However, this euphoria does come at a price. Stimulants cause blood vessels to restrict, boost blood sugar levels and make the breathing passages more open.
Since you want to keep blood sugar levels even, staying away from stimulants will be a smart strategy. These stimulants tend to cause as many problems as they solve. While they may be needed in some cases, people who are worried about their blood sugar levels should give them a miss if they can. Talk to your doctor. He or she will help you to weigh the pros and cons of these stimulants and let you know whether they should be taken or avoided. Our guide isn’t designed to be a substitute for a doctor’s advice.
Don’t Use Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners won’t change your blood sugar levels. They typically have less than twenty calories, and they contain very few carbs. In general, an artificial sweetener won’t have more than five grams of carbs. However, this doesn’t mean that they are good choices for those who want to balance their blood sugar.
Artificial sweeteners may raise blood sugar because they alter the quantity of micro-organisms in the gut. Bacteria which live in the intestines assist with nutrition and with immune system function. When you use artificial sweeteners, you’ll change the natural balance in your gut and studies have shown that these changes may negative impact blood sugar levels.
Learn About the Glycemic Index
The glycemic index ranks foods which contain carbs based on the impact that they have on blood sugar. The foods which are highest on the index will be the worst regarding raising blood glucose levels. The foods which rank lowest in the index will be the best choices.
It’s very easy to find the complete index online, and we recommend printing it out and taking it along while you shop for food. It’s also good to keep a copy in your fridge. If you want to, keep the index stored on your smart phone and home computer. Doing these things will ensure that you have easy access to the index when you need it. After a while, you’ll probably have it memorized. It’s such a great way to know which carbs are better for blood sugar and which ones are going to cause the most problems.
Examples of low-glycemic foods which are good choices include stone ground whole bread, Pumpernickel bread, Pita bread, Rye bread and Puffed wheat cereals. Choosing these foods over high-glycemic foods, such as white bread and Rice Krispies, will help you to keep your blood glucose levels where they should be. Since you’ll still be satisfied by these carbs, you won’t feel deprived. As well, you’ll be doing something which is good for your body.
Add Cinnamon to Your Diet
If you want to reduce your fasting glucose level, while also reducing bad cholesterol and elevating good cholesterol, you should know that cinnamon may just do the trick. Cinnamon should be of the Ceylon variety, as the other popular variety, coumarin, is linked with liver problems.
Once you find Ceylon cinnamon, use it to improve or maintain your blood sugar levels. Some people put in on toast. Others take it in supplement form. Regarding supplements, big doses aren’t better. Always follow the instructions on your bottle of cinnamon supplement. You may also want to speak with your doctor about which dosage is right for you.
This simple fix for blood sugar problems is also delicious, so think about how to use more cinnamon in recipes. It’s quite versatile and works in an array of foods, whether they are on the sweet side or savory. Recipes for diabetics which contain cinnamon should be great for you overall and fun to try. A lot of people post wonderful recipes for those who have blood sugar issues and concerns. You’ll be able to make new things which have cinnamon added and enjoy a bit of culinary adventure in the kitchen.
Fenugreek is Great for Blood Sugar
When you use the spice, Fenugreek, to add flavor to food, you’ll be helping your blood sugar, too. Fenugreek leaves and seeds are utilized in many South Asian dishes. The seeds of Fenugreek are used in many different supplement blends. Fenugreek is proven to decrease blood sugar in those who have both forms of Diabetes. As well, they help people with pre-diabetes to normalize their blood glucose levels.
Fenugreek works because it slows the pace of carbohydrate digestion. This is probably the reason why it impacts blood sugar levels in a positive way. As well, this spice is rich in healthy nutrients. If you’ve never tried Fenugreek, looking up South Asian recipes which contain this spice will be a great way to try it. Many of these recipes are wonderful, and a lot of them are very healthy, too.
How to Monitor Blood Sugar
If you have diabetes or you’re interested in monitoring your blood pressure to catch problems before they become bigger issues, then you’ll need to learn how to monitor your blood sugar.In order to do this, you’ll need to purchase a blood sugar monitor device. As well, you’ll need test strips which are compatible with the device.
Once you have them, be sure to wash your hands with warm, soapy water. Dry them with a clean towel and then add the test strip to the meter. The meter will come with a lance which pricks your finger. This blood is needed for the test and it will interact with the test strip. Once you’ve lanced your finger, hold the strip against the blood droplet and then check the result. You’ll soon see your blood glucose readout on the display of the meter.
Unfortunately, there isn’t really any another method but the “pin prick” method which will accurately gauge blood pressure. Therefore, you will need one of these devices. While you may feel a twinge of pain while you do the test, you’ll be able to find out where your blood sugar is at and this is really important. If you have one of the two forms of Diabetes, your doctor should be able to tell you how many times per day to test.
It’s not common for people without diabetes to do these tests. However, it is possible for anyone who wants to know their blood glucose levels to use such devices and test strips to get accurate readings. It’s possible to buy all the equipment that you need online or right in your community. You may be able to save money if you shop online.
Now that you know how to monitor your blood sugar, as well as 8 simple steps to balance your blood sugar levels each day, you’ll be ready to move forward and take better care of yourself. Knowing these tips is empowering. A lot of people don’t realize just how easy it is to improve their blood sugar levels, just be changing what they eat and trying out new foods. Simple adjustments are quite simple to make, and they do work wonders.
So, why not try our tips today? When you do, you’ll be able to ensure that you’re doing all that you can to improve your blood glucose levels. As well, we encourage you to share this helpful article with friends.
