Tips to help keep your blood sugar levels steady

Are desserts OK? What are the best kinds of snacks? We share tips to fuel up while keeping your blood sugar levels steady.

Can you have desserts if you have diabetes?

No, You should not eat most sweet desserts. You can still have some treats, but save them for special occasions. When one comes up, have a small scoop or a thin slice. Sugar is a carbohydrate. Carbs make your blood sugar go up quicker than protein or fat. If you have diabetes, track your carbs. If you crave something sweet on an ordinary day, have a piece of fruit.

When you have diabetes, is snacking is a good idea?

Yes. Knowing when to eat and what to nosh on can help keep your blood sugar in check.

Eat when you’re hungry or if your blood sugar drops between meals. Pick snacks that combine carbs, protein, and fat to keep you full and help control blood sugar. Good choices include:

– A piece of fruit
– Half a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread
– A few cups of low-fat microwave popcorn

Should eat a lot of fiber if you have diabetes?

Yes, Fiber is a carb like sugars and starches. But it doesn’t affect your blood sugar because your body doesn’t digest it. Foods high in fiber also help make you feel full. Get yours by eating plenty of skin-on fruits and vegetables, beans, and whole-grain foods like 100% whole wheat bread and whole oats. Women should get at least 25 grams of fiber a day. Men should get at least 38.

Is it OK to skip a meal so you can eat a really big one later?

No, You need to eat regularly to keep your blood sugar levels steady. If you miss a meal, they might drop and you may feel shaky, nauseous, or dizzy. Your levels can also spike after you eat a lot. Space out your feasts — and how many carbs you eat. During the day, try to eat meals every 4 to 5 hours. Snack in between, too.

Besides carbs, what else should you limit?

Salt. People with diabetes have a greater risk of high blood pressure. Too much salt raises your odds even more. Try to eat fewer canned and processed foods. Use herbs and spices to flavor your food instead of salt. If you want a snack, trade those chips and pretzels for a piece of fruit or some veggies.

Is it better to eat White or Sweet Potatos?

A Sweet potato has advantages. You don’t need to give up carbs, but you do need to pick healthy ones. Both white and sweetpotatoes are good sources of vitamins, potassium, and fiber. But sweet potatoes have an advantage: They don’t raise blood sugar as much as white ones.

Can diabetics eat as much sugar-free food as they want?

No. Sugar-free isn’t the same as carbohydrate-free or calorie-free. Some sugar substitutes don’t have carbs, but many do. And some sugar-free food can affect your blood sugar as much as foods with the sweet stuff.

Check the label to see how many grams of carbs are in each serving. Foods made with “sugar alcohols” like sorbitol are high in carbohydrates and can give you stomachaches or diarrhea.

What should you eat if your blood sugar is high?

Your regular meal. If you feel OK but your blood sugar is high, eat your regular meals and take your medicines, as usual. Try to drink several glasses of water and move around more. That should help get your numbers down.

Record your blood sugar every 4 hours until it’s back to normal. Call your doctor if you are worried, if you have symptoms you’re not used to, or if your blood sugar keeps going up.

Source: WebMD