You can improve your overall health, lower your blood sugar levels, and lower your chance of having a heart attack or stroke by changing your diet and activities. Here are a few things you can do to stay as healthy as possible after you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Losing weight and keeping it off will help you control your blood sugar and make you feel better.

Body mass index BMI is a measure of body fat. It is based on your height and weight. A healthy BMI is less than If your BMI is more than 25, talk with your doctor about things you can do to lose weight. Begin by setting a goal to lose 7 percent of your current weight.

For example, if you weigh pounds, your first goal will be to lose 18 pounds. Losing any amount of weight and keeping it off will improve your health, so don't get discouraged if you lose the weight slowly. Combining a healthy diet with exercise is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.

Less than 25 percent of your calories should come from fat. Avoid fatty foods like deli meats, hot dogs, snack foods, and pastries.

If reducing the amount of fat from calories does not help you lose weight, decrease the total number of calories you consume. The number of calories you should consume each day depends on how much you weigh. Current weight Number of calories per day to pounds 1, to pounds 1, to pounds 1, pounds or more 2, Getting at least minutes per week of moderate exercise, like walking, biking, and swimming, will help you lose weight and keep it off, and it can help keep your heart healthy.

Spread your exercise out over several days each week for example, five sessions of 30 minutes each. You can still eat some carbs when monitoring your blood sugar. However, prioritizing whole grains over processed ones and refined carbs provides greater nutritional value while helping decrease your blood sugar levels Your body breaks down the carbs you eat into glucose, which then raises your blood sugar levels.

As such, reducing your carb intake can aid blood sugar regulation. Fiber slows carb digestion and sugar absorption, thereby promoting a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels There are two types of fiber — insoluble and soluble. This could help you better manage type 1 diabetes The recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25 grams for women and 35 grams for men.

Eating plenty of fiber can aid blood sugar management. Soluble dietary fiber appears to be more effective than insoluble fiber for this purpose. In addition to preventing dehydration, it helps your kidneys flush out any excess sugar through urine. One review of observational studies showed that those who drank more water had a lower risk of developing high blood sugar levels Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk 20 , Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.

Avoid sugar-sweetened options, as these can raise blood glucose, drive weight gain, and increase diabetes risk 22 , Staying hydrated can reduce blood sugar levels and diabetes risk.

Choose water and zero-calorie drinks and avoid sugar-sweetened beverages. Portion control can help you regulate your calorie intake and maintain a moderate weight 24 , Consequently, weight management promotes healthy blood sugar levels and has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes 1 , 26 , Monitoring your serving sizes also helps prevent blood sugar spikes 2.

The glycemic index GI measures how quickly carbs break down during digestion and how rapidly your body absorbs them. This affects how quickly your blood sugar levels rise The GI divides foods into low, medium, and high GI and ranks them on a scale of 0— Low GI foods have a ranking of 55 or less 15 , Both the amount and type of carbs you eat determine how a food affects your blood sugar levels.

Specifically, eating low GI foods has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes 15 , Furthermore, adding protein or healthy fats helps minimize blood sugar spikes after a meal Stress can affect your blood sugar levels When stressed, your body secretes hormones called glucagon and cortisol, which cause blood sugar levels to rise 29 , One study including a group of students showed that exercise, relaxation, and meditation significantly reduced stress and lowered blood sugar levels Exercises and relaxation methods like yoga and mindfulness-based stress reduction may also help correct insulin secretion problems among people with chronic diabetes 31 , 32 , Managing your stress levels through exercise or relaxation methods like yoga may help you regulate blood sugar levels.

Monitoring blood glucose levels can help you better manage them You can do so at home using a portable blood glucose meter, which is known as a glucometer.

You can discuss this option with your doctor. Keeping track allows you to determine whether you need to adjust your meals or medications.

It also helps you learn how your body reacts to certain foods 2. Try measuring your levels regularly every day and keeping track of the numbers in a log. Also, it may be more helpful to track your blood sugar in pairs — for example, before and after exercise or before and 2 hours after a meal.

This can show you whether you need to make small changes to a meal if it spikes your blood sugar, rather than avoiding your favorite meals altogether. Some adjustments include swapping a starchy side for non-starchy veggies or limiting them to a handful. Checking your blood glucose and maintaining a daily log enables you to adjust foods and medications when necessary to better manage your blood sugar levels.

Getting enough sleep feels excellent and is necessary for good health In fact, poor sleeping habits and a lack of rest can affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They can also increase appetite and promote weight gain 36 , 37 , Additionally, sleep deprivation raises levels of the hormone cortisol, which, as explained, plays an essential role in blood sugar management 29 , Adequate sleep is about both quantity and quality.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get at least 7—8 hours of high quality sleep per night To improve the quality of your sleep , try to:. Good sleep helps maintain your blood sugar levels and promotes a healthy weight. On the other hand, poor sleep can disrupt critical metabolic hormones.

High blood sugar levels and diabetes have been linked to micronutrient deficiencies. Some examples include deficiencies in the minerals chromium and magnesium Chromium is involved in carb and fat metabolism.

It may potentiate the action of insulin, thus aiding blood sugar regulation 41 , 42 , 43 , Chromium-rich foods include:. However, the mechanisms behind this proposed connection are not entirely known, and studies report mixed findings.

As such, more research is needed 41 , 45 , Magnesium has also been shown to benefit blood sugar levels. In fact, diets rich in magnesium are associated with a significantly reduced risk of diabetes In contrast, low magnesium levels may lead to insulin resistance and decreased glucose tolerance in people with diabetes 47 , 48 , Eating foods rich in chromium and magnesium can help prevent deficiencies and reduce the risk of blood sugar problems.

However, the overall quality of evidence on these ingredients is low due to insufficient human studies or small sample sizes. Therefore, no conclusive recommendations can be made regarding their use Some of the foods touted to have anti-diabetes effects include 51 , 52 :.

Finally, the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate supplements in the same way that it regulates prescription medications. Some foods are believed to have blood-sugar-lowering effects. However, research is still inconclusive, and they may negatively interact with your diabetes medication.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. Maintaining a moderate weight promotes healthy blood sugar levels and reduces your risk of developing diabetes 2 , 26 , 27 , For example, if a person weighs pounds 91 kg and loses just 10—14 pounds 4.

These are used as indicators of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months 60 , Maintaining a moderate weight will support blood sugar management and decrease your risk of developing diabetes. Spreading your meals and snacks throughout the day may help you avoid both high and low blood sugar levels Snacking between meals may also reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes In fact, several studies suggest that having smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day could improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels 62 , In addition, eating smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the day may lower glycated hemoglobin HbA1c readings, indicating improvements in blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months Snacking between meals could keep your blood sugar levels from spiking or plummeting throughout the day.

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that offer numerous health benefits, including improved blood sugar regulation 65 , 66 , 67 , Research shows that probiotic intake may lower fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin HbA1c , and insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes 65 , 66 , 67 ,

Depending on your situation, some diets may not be recommended. Saturated fats eg, in meats, cheese, ice cream can be replaced with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids eg, in fish, olive oil, nuts. Trans fatty acid consumption should be kept as low as possible.

Trans fats are banned from processed foods in the United States. Although very small amounts of trans fats are naturally present in meats, poultry and dairy products, the amount is too small for concern.

As diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol can help to reduce your cholesterol levels and decrease these risks. In general, it's a good idea to get protein from lean meats, fish eggs, beans, soy, and nuts, and to limit the amount of red meat you eat.

See "Patient education: High-fiber diet Beyond the Basics ". See "Patient education: Low-sodium diet Beyond the Basics ". If you consume sugar-sweetened beverages regularly, a beverage containing artificial sweeteners such as diet soda can be a good short-term replacement strategy.

However, the best approach is to avoid both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, and try to drink more water. This is no longer recommended, although it's important to limit sugar intake. If you take insulin, you should calculate each pre-meal dose based upon the total number of carbohydrates in the food, which includes the sugar content.

Read all nutrition labels carefully and compare with other similar products to determine which has the best balance of serving size and number of calories, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber. Some sugar-free foods, such as sugar-free gelatin and sugar-free gum, do not have a significant number of calories or carbohydrates and are considered "free foods.

The American Diabetes Association ADA has a website called Diabetes Food Hub www. org that many people find useful. The site has tools to help you manage your diabetes, including nutrition information and customizable recipes you can use in meal planning.

It can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming to figure out how to manage your diet in order to control your diabetes. But with time, practice, and support, most people are able to get used to it and make it a part of their daily life.

Is it safe to drink alcohol? People who take oral diabetes medications do not usually need to adjust their medication doses, as long as the alcohol is consumed in moderation and with food.

Alcohol may cause a slight rise in blood sugar, followed hours later by a decrease in the blood sugar level. As a result, it is important to monitor your blood sugar response to alcohol, especially if you use insulin.

Your provider can help you to determine if any changes in insulin doses are needed. Mixers, such as fruit juice or regular cola, can increase blood glucose levels and increase the number of calories consumed in a day. Also, calories from alcohol have little nutritional value and may contribute to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight.

Your health care provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. This article will be updated as needed on our website www. Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for health care professionals, are also available.

Some of the most relevant are listed below. Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials. The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition.

These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials. Patient education: Type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: Diabetes and diet The Basics Patient education: Diet and health The Basics Patient education: High-fiber diet The Basics Patient education: Carb counting for adults with diabetes The Basics Patient education: Treatment for type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: The ABCs of diabetes The Basics Patient education: Preparing for pregnancy when you have diabetes The Basics Patient education: Lowering your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes The Basics.

Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed.

These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon. Patient education: High blood pressure, diet, and weight Beyond the Basics Patient education: High cholesterol and lipids Beyond the Basics Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Overview Beyond the Basics Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Insulin treatment Beyond the Basics Patient education: Glucose monitoring in diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Hypoglycemia low blood glucose in people with diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Preventing complications from diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Losing weight Beyond the Basics Patient education: Exercise Beyond the Basics Patient education: Chronic kidney disease Beyond the Basics Patient education: High-fiber diet Beyond the Basics Patient education: Low-sodium diet Beyond the Basics.

Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based.

Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors for treatment of diabetes mellitus Exercise guidance in adults with diabetes mellitus Measurements of chronic glycemia in diabetes mellitus Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus Initial management of hyperglycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus Management of persistent hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus Metformin in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Nutritional considerations in type 2 diabetes mellitus Overview of general medical care in nonpregnant adults with diabetes mellitus Sulfonylureas and meglitinides in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus Thiazolidinediones in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

org , available in English and Spanish. The following reference books are a good source of information regarding diabetes and diet and carbohydrate counting.

Contributor disclosures are reviewed for conflicts of interest by the editorial group. When found, these are addressed by vetting through a multi-level review process, and through requirements for references to be provided to support the content. Appropriately referenced content is required of all authors and must conform to UpToDate standards of evidence.

Conflict of interest policy. Why UpToDate? Product Editorial Subscription Options Subscribe Sign in. View Topic Loading Font Size Small Normal Large. Patient education: Type 2 diabetes and diet Beyond the Basics.

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com © UpToDate, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Author: Linda M Delahanty, MS, RD Section Editor: David M Nathan, MD Deputy Editor: Katya Rubinow, MD. All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.

Literature review current through: Jan This topic last updated: Jan 19, TYPE 2 DIABETES OVERVIEW Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disorder that is known for disrupting the way your body uses glucose sugar ; it also causes other problems with the way your body stores and processes other forms of energy, including fat.

WHY IS DIET IMPORTANT? Making changes to your diet is a key part of managing type 2 diabetes. TYPE 2 DIABETES, DIET, AND WEIGHT If you are overweight or have obesity, losing weight can improve blood sugar control and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

WHAT SHOULD I EAT? Patient education: Type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: Diabetes and diet The Basics Patient education: Diet and health The Basics Patient education: High-fiber diet The Basics Patient education: Carb counting for adults with diabetes The Basics Patient education: Treatment for type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: The ABCs of diabetes The Basics Patient education: Preparing for pregnancy when you have diabetes The Basics Patient education: Lowering your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes The Basics Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors for treatment of diabetes mellitus Exercise guidance in adults with diabetes mellitus Measurements of chronic glycemia in diabetes mellitus Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus Initial management of hyperglycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus Management of persistent hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus Metformin in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Nutritional considerations in type 2 diabetes mellitus Overview of general medical care in nonpregnant adults with diabetes mellitus Sulfonylureas and meglitinides in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus Thiazolidinediones in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus The following organizations also provide reliable health information.

org , available in English and Spanish The following reference books are a good source of information regarding diabetes and diet and carbohydrate counting. Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report.

Diabetes Care ; American Diabetes Association. Summary of Revisions: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes Diabetes Care ; S4. Facilitating Behavior Change and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes Diabetes Care ; S It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient.

It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances.

Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications.

This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof.

All rights reserved. GRAPHICS Carbohydrate counting: Getting started. Step 1: Know the goal Eating about the same amount of carbohydrate at meals and snacks each day will help to keep blood glucose levels from getting too high or too low.

Focus on keeping the amount of carbohydrate intake moderate to keep your blood glucose levels from going too high. Remember, it is not healthy to cut out all carbohydrate foods; the body, especially your brain, needs some every day.

Step 2: Monitoring intake and blood glucose Keeping a daily food and blood glucose record will help inform what affects blood glucose levels. Measuring or weighing foods is helpful in the beginning to learn what common food portions look like.

Step 3: Methods of counting carbohydrate To count carbohydrates, there are two methods. Patients may also blend the two methods. Read food labels: Look at the grams of total carbohydrate on the label.

Remember, the nutrition information on food labels is for the standard serving size. If the portion is larger or smaller, it is necessary to adjust the carbohydrate information.

Use the exchange system: Estimation of carbohydrate content can be broken down into food groups that are standardized for carbohydrate content according to particular portions. Most vegetables do not contain a significant number of carbohydrates and do not need to be counted, although there are exceptions eg, corn, potatoes.

Counting carbohydrates. To figure out the "carb count" in 1 serving, start with the number of grams of total carbohydrates 46 grams , then subtract the number of grams of dietary fiber 7 grams.

Vegetable oil, ghee, nuts, seeds are all sources of healthy fats. Add healthy fats, mono unsaturated fats and poly unsaturated fats and cut down on saturated fats, avoid trans fats. Examples of mono unsaturated fats are nuts, fish, groundnut oil, gingelly oil, mustard oil, olive oil, corn oil etc.

Our markets and homes are full of ultra-processed foods with huge amount of hidden sugar, fat and calories. One who regularly consumes packaged products is at risk of blood sugar spikes and taking in more calories than required. Avoid ultra-processed foods as they are usually high in sugar, fat and calories besides being deficient in essential nutrients.

Walking, jogging, cycling and other such physical activities can keep you healthy and your blood sugar in control. One must develop an exercise routine and walk at least steps per day. However, more than 10, steps would be ideal. Increased stress levels can play havoc with your blood sugar levels.

Apart from good diet, exercise routine, one should also take out time for Yoga, meditation and other relaxation activities that can reduce stress and tension from the body.

Yoga is good not only physically but also helps to achieve mental balance and prevents diabetes and other conditions. Go for regular check-ups with your doctor. Diagnosing early stages of the pre-diabetes will help to reverse the condition and prevent progressing to fully-grown diabetes.

High blood sugar? Jun 14, AM IST. Read this news in brief form. Share Via. Discover the thrill of cricket like never before, exclusively on HT. Explore now!

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As such, reducing your carb intake can aid blood sugar regulation. Fiber slows carb digestion and sugar absorption, thereby promoting a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels There are two types of fiber — insoluble and soluble.

This could help you better manage type 1 diabetes The recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25 grams for women and 35 grams for men.

Eating plenty of fiber can aid blood sugar management. Soluble dietary fiber appears to be more effective than insoluble fiber for this purpose. In addition to preventing dehydration, it helps your kidneys flush out any excess sugar through urine. One review of observational studies showed that those who drank more water had a lower risk of developing high blood sugar levels Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk 20 , Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.

Avoid sugar-sweetened options, as these can raise blood glucose, drive weight gain, and increase diabetes risk 22 , Staying hydrated can reduce blood sugar levels and diabetes risk. Choose water and zero-calorie drinks and avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.

Portion control can help you regulate your calorie intake and maintain a moderate weight 24 , Consequently, weight management promotes healthy blood sugar levels and has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes 1 , 26 , Monitoring your serving sizes also helps prevent blood sugar spikes 2.

The glycemic index GI measures how quickly carbs break down during digestion and how rapidly your body absorbs them. This affects how quickly your blood sugar levels rise The GI divides foods into low, medium, and high GI and ranks them on a scale of 0— Low GI foods have a ranking of 55 or less 15 , Both the amount and type of carbs you eat determine how a food affects your blood sugar levels.

Specifically, eating low GI foods has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes 15 , Furthermore, adding protein or healthy fats helps minimize blood sugar spikes after a meal Stress can affect your blood sugar levels When stressed, your body secretes hormones called glucagon and cortisol, which cause blood sugar levels to rise 29 , One study including a group of students showed that exercise, relaxation, and meditation significantly reduced stress and lowered blood sugar levels Exercises and relaxation methods like yoga and mindfulness-based stress reduction may also help correct insulin secretion problems among people with chronic diabetes 31 , 32 , Managing your stress levels through exercise or relaxation methods like yoga may help you regulate blood sugar levels.

Monitoring blood glucose levels can help you better manage them You can do so at home using a portable blood glucose meter, which is known as a glucometer.

You can discuss this option with your doctor. Keeping track allows you to determine whether you need to adjust your meals or medications. It also helps you learn how your body reacts to certain foods 2. Try measuring your levels regularly every day and keeping track of the numbers in a log. Also, it may be more helpful to track your blood sugar in pairs — for example, before and after exercise or before and 2 hours after a meal.

This can show you whether you need to make small changes to a meal if it spikes your blood sugar, rather than avoiding your favorite meals altogether. Some adjustments include swapping a starchy side for non-starchy veggies or limiting them to a handful. Checking your blood glucose and maintaining a daily log enables you to adjust foods and medications when necessary to better manage your blood sugar levels.

Getting enough sleep feels excellent and is necessary for good health In fact, poor sleeping habits and a lack of rest can affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

They can also increase appetite and promote weight gain 36 , 37 , Additionally, sleep deprivation raises levels of the hormone cortisol, which, as explained, plays an essential role in blood sugar management 29 , Adequate sleep is about both quantity and quality.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get at least 7—8 hours of high quality sleep per night To improve the quality of your sleep , try to:. Good sleep helps maintain your blood sugar levels and promotes a healthy weight. On the other hand, poor sleep can disrupt critical metabolic hormones.

High blood sugar levels and diabetes have been linked to micronutrient deficiencies. Some examples include deficiencies in the minerals chromium and magnesium Chromium is involved in carb and fat metabolism.

It may potentiate the action of insulin, thus aiding blood sugar regulation 41 , 42 , 43 , Chromium-rich foods include:. However, the mechanisms behind this proposed connection are not entirely known, and studies report mixed findings. As such, more research is needed 41 , 45 , Magnesium has also been shown to benefit blood sugar levels.

In fact, diets rich in magnesium are associated with a significantly reduced risk of diabetes In contrast, low magnesium levels may lead to insulin resistance and decreased glucose tolerance in people with diabetes 47 , 48 , Eating foods rich in chromium and magnesium can help prevent deficiencies and reduce the risk of blood sugar problems.

However, the overall quality of evidence on these ingredients is low due to insufficient human studies or small sample sizes. Therefore, no conclusive recommendations can be made regarding their use Some of the foods touted to have anti-diabetes effects include 51 , 52 :. Finally, the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate supplements in the same way that it regulates prescription medications.

Some foods are believed to have blood-sugar-lowering effects. However, research is still inconclusive, and they may negatively interact with your diabetes medication. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. Maintaining a moderate weight promotes healthy blood sugar levels and reduces your risk of developing diabetes 2 , 26 , 27 , For example, if a person weighs pounds 91 kg and loses just 10—14 pounds 4.

These are used as indicators of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months 60 , Maintaining a moderate weight will support blood sugar management and decrease your risk of developing diabetes.

Spreading your meals and snacks throughout the day may help you avoid both high and low blood sugar levels Snacking between meals may also reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes In fact, several studies suggest that having smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day could improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels 62 , In addition, eating smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the day may lower glycated hemoglobin HbA1c readings, indicating improvements in blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months Snacking between meals could keep your blood sugar levels from spiking or plummeting throughout the day.

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that offer numerous health benefits, including improved blood sugar regulation 65 , 66 , 67 , Research shows that probiotic intake may lower fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin HbA1c , and insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes 65 , 66 , 67 , Interestingly, studies have found that improvements in blood sugar levels are more significant in people who consume multiple species of probiotics and for at least 8 weeks 69 , Probiotic-rich foods include fermented foods, such as:.

Insulin is a hormone that balances blood sugar in the body. Walking, jogging, cycling and other such physical activities can keep you healthy and your blood sugar in control. One must develop an exercise routine and walk at least steps per day.

However, more than 10, steps would be ideal. Increased stress levels can play havoc with your blood sugar levels. Apart from good diet, exercise routine, one should also take out time for Yoga, meditation and other relaxation activities that can reduce stress and tension from the body.

Yoga is good not only physically but also helps to achieve mental balance and prevents diabetes and other conditions. Go for regular check-ups with your doctor. Diagnosing early stages of the pre-diabetes will help to reverse the condition and prevent progressing to fully-grown diabetes.

High blood sugar? Jun 14, AM IST. Read this news in brief form. Share Via. Discover the thrill of cricket like never before, exclusively on HT. Explore now!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON. Share this article. Diabetes Diabetes Diet. Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin. Join Hindustan Times Create free account and unlock exciting features like Newsletters, Alerts and Recommendations Get personalised news and exciting deals Bookmark the stories you want to read later.

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Diabetes and other non-communicable diseases have seen a dramatic increase in the recent past. A new study conducted by ICMR which was published in international journal Lancet found out that the number of people living with diabetes have touched a concerning million mark which means Eating a diabetes-friendly diet which includes lots of green vegetables , fruits, proteins, and avoiding sugary and high-glycaemic index foods can help curb the risk of getting the metabolic disorder or manage diabetes if one of already suffering from it.

Also read: Diabetes: 7 high-fibre foods that can prevent blood sugar spikes. Mohan - Chairman and Chief Diabetologist of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre shares lifestyle modifications of those struggling with the metabolic disorder:.

The first important lifestyle change that people with diabetes must make is their diet. They must fill their plates with low GI foods while keeping at bay foods that can raise their blood sugar levels.

Dr Mohan says following a healthy diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables and some fruits can do the trick. While carbs are an important part of a balanced diet, one must be careful about the quantity and type of carbohydrates they are consuming. Complex carbs like quinoa, whole grains, brown rice, oats must be included in the diet by diabetes while skipping simple carbs like breakfast cereal, baked goods, fruit juices etc.

Consuming simple carbs can cause blood sugar spikes and eating them more and doing less physical activity can result in hyperglycaemia.

Reduce the amount of carbohydrates in the diet, whether it is rice or wheat or other forms of carbohydrates. As you must be aware that glycaemic index GI is a rating system for foods with carbs.

High GI foods are those that raise your blood sugar levels quickly while those ranked low in GI are the ones that help stabilise your blood sugar level. While bread, potato, white rice, cookies are high GI and must be eliminated from the diet for diabetes.

Protein takes longer to digest, which means absorption of glucose in the bloodstream is also slow. This ensures that you are able to avoid blood sugar spikes if you have diabetes.

Increase the protein content of the diet preferably from vegetable protein like Bengal gram, green gram, black gram, rajma, mushroom and other pulses and lentils. Diabetes should not avoid all fats. They should find out sources of healthy fats for themselves and consume them regularly to stabilise blood sugar levels.

Vegetable oil, ghee, nuts, seeds are all sources of healthy fats. Add healthy fats, mono unsaturated fats and poly unsaturated fats and cut down on saturated fats, avoid trans fats. Examples of mono unsaturated fats are nuts, fish, groundnut oil, gingelly oil, mustard oil, olive oil, corn oil etc.

Our markets and homes are full of ultra-processed foods with huge amount of hidden sugar, fat and calories. One who regularly consumes packaged products is at risk of blood sugar spikes and taking in more calories than required. Avoid ultra-processed foods as they are usually high in sugar, fat and calories besides being deficient in essential nutrients.

Walking, jogging, cycling and other such physical activities can keep you healthy and your blood sugar in control. One must develop an exercise routine and walk at least steps per day. However, more than 10, steps would be ideal. Increased stress levels can play havoc with your blood sugar levels.

Apart from good diet, exercise routine, one should also take out time for Yoga, meditation and other relaxation activities that can reduce stress and tension from the body.

If you are eating out, restaurants usually have this information available upon request. See 'Where to get more information' below. For example, some prepackaged snacks contain two or more servings. To calculate the carbohydrate content of the entire package, multiply the number of servings by the number of carbohydrates per serving.

This is because fiber slows the body's absorption of carbohydrates, so less insulin is required to manage blood sugar levels. Exchange planning — With exchange planning, all foods are categorized as either a carbohydrate, meat or meat substitute, or fat.

You can also easily determine the carbohydrate content of your meals and snacks using the exchange system. The table shows a sample daily meal plan based on this system table 2. A dietitian can give you a more complete list of foods to use for meal planning purposes.

The exchange lists also identify foods that are good sources of fiber which can help keep blood sugar levels from getting too high and foods with a lot of sodium which should be limited.

A dietitian can help you determine how many servings of each group to eat at each meal and snack table 2 and the typical carbohydrate content of each meal and snack. Meal timing — Consistently eating at the same times every day is important for some people, especially those who take long-acting insulin or oral medications that decrease blood sugar levels sulfonylureas or meglitinides.

If a meal is skipped or delayed while on these regimens, you are at risk for developing low blood glucose. If you use "intensive" insulin therapy ie, if you give yourself multiple daily injections or use an insulin pump or take certain other types of oral diabetes medications eg, metformin , you may have more flexibility around meal timing.

With these regimens, skipping or delaying a meal will not usually increase your risk of low blood sugar. While foods that are high in fat eg, pizza are OK to eat occasionally, you will need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely.

High-fat, high-protein meals are broken down more slowly than low-fat, lower-protein meals. When using rapid-acting insulin before a meal, your blood sugar level may become low shortly after eating a high-fat meal and then rise hours later.

If you eat meals that contain more protein or fat than usual, you may need to make meal-time insulin dose adjustments to manage this delayed rise in blood sugar.

Intensive insulin therapy — If you take multiple injections of insulin per day or use an insulin pump, you can adjust your pre-meal insulin based on the number of carbohydrates you plan to eat and your pre-meal blood sugar, similar to patients with type 1 diabetes.

See "Patient education: Type 1 diabetes and diet Beyond the Basics ", section on 'Intensive insulin therapy'. There is not a single optimal diet or meal plan for people with diabetes.

The best diet for you depends many different things, including your health concerns, weight-loss goals, and personal preferences. General recommendations — To help manage the ABCs A 1C, B lood pressure, and C holesterol and promote good health, experts recommend that all people with diabetes aim to maintain a healthy weight by decreasing calorie intake and increasing physical activity and monitor their carbohydrate intake.

The following guidelines for a healthy diet are similar to the recommendations for adults without diabetes see "Patient education: Diet and health Beyond the Basics " :. People with diabetes are advised to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages including fruit juice. The ideal amount of carbohydrate intake is uncertain.

However, it's important for people with diabetes to monitor carbohydrate intake in order to manage their blood sugar levels and adjust insulin dosing as needed. See 'Carbohydrate counting' above. Eating a healthy diet that contains a lot of the foods you like will make it easier to stick to your plan.

However, you should talk to your health care provider before starting any diet that involves extreme restriction such as a very low carb or "keto" diet. Depending on your situation, some diets may not be recommended. Saturated fats eg, in meats, cheese, ice cream can be replaced with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids eg, in fish, olive oil, nuts.

Trans fatty acid consumption should be kept as low as possible. Trans fats are banned from processed foods in the United States. Although very small amounts of trans fats are naturally present in meats, poultry and dairy products, the amount is too small for concern.

As diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol can help to reduce your cholesterol levels and decrease these risks. In general, it's a good idea to get protein from lean meats, fish eggs, beans, soy, and nuts, and to limit the amount of red meat you eat.

See "Patient education: High-fiber diet Beyond the Basics ". See "Patient education: Low-sodium diet Beyond the Basics ". If you consume sugar-sweetened beverages regularly, a beverage containing artificial sweeteners such as diet soda can be a good short-term replacement strategy.

However, the best approach is to avoid both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, and try to drink more water. This is no longer recommended, although it's important to limit sugar intake.

If you take insulin, you should calculate each pre-meal dose based upon the total number of carbohydrates in the food, which includes the sugar content. Read all nutrition labels carefully and compare with other similar products to determine which has the best balance of serving size and number of calories, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber.

Some sugar-free foods, such as sugar-free gelatin and sugar-free gum, do not have a significant number of calories or carbohydrates and are considered "free foods. The American Diabetes Association ADA has a website called Diabetes Food Hub www.

org that many people find useful. The site has tools to help you manage your diabetes, including nutrition information and customizable recipes you can use in meal planning. It can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming to figure out how to manage your diet in order to control your diabetes.

But with time, practice, and support, most people are able to get used to it and make it a part of their daily life. Is it safe to drink alcohol? People who take oral diabetes medications do not usually need to adjust their medication doses, as long as the alcohol is consumed in moderation and with food.

Alcohol may cause a slight rise in blood sugar, followed hours later by a decrease in the blood sugar level. As a result, it is important to monitor your blood sugar response to alcohol, especially if you use insulin.

Your provider can help you to determine if any changes in insulin doses are needed. Mixers, such as fruit juice or regular cola, can increase blood glucose levels and increase the number of calories consumed in a day. Also, calories from alcohol have little nutritional value and may contribute to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight.

Your health care provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. This article will be updated as needed on our website www. Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for health care professionals, are also available.

Some of the most relevant are listed below. Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials. The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials.

Patient education: Type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: Diabetes and diet The Basics Patient education: Diet and health The Basics Patient education: High-fiber diet The Basics Patient education: Carb counting for adults with diabetes The Basics Patient education: Treatment for type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: The ABCs of diabetes The Basics Patient education: Preparing for pregnancy when you have diabetes The Basics Patient education: Lowering your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes The Basics.

Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon.

Patient education: High blood pressure, diet, and weight Beyond the Basics Patient education: High cholesterol and lipids Beyond the Basics Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Overview Beyond the Basics Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Insulin treatment Beyond the Basics Patient education: Glucose monitoring in diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Hypoglycemia low blood glucose in people with diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Preventing complications from diabetes Beyond the Basics Patient education: Losing weight Beyond the Basics Patient education: Exercise Beyond the Basics Patient education: Chronic kidney disease Beyond the Basics Patient education: High-fiber diet Beyond the Basics Patient education: Low-sodium diet Beyond the Basics.

Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based.

Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors for treatment of diabetes mellitus Exercise guidance in adults with diabetes mellitus Measurements of chronic glycemia in diabetes mellitus Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus Initial management of hyperglycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus Management of persistent hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus Metformin in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Nutritional considerations in type 2 diabetes mellitus Overview of general medical care in nonpregnant adults with diabetes mellitus Sulfonylureas and meglitinides in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus Thiazolidinediones in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

org , available in English and Spanish. The following reference books are a good source of information regarding diabetes and diet and carbohydrate counting. Contributor disclosures are reviewed for conflicts of interest by the editorial group. When found, these are addressed by vetting through a multi-level review process, and through requirements for references to be provided to support the content.

Appropriately referenced content is required of all authors and must conform to UpToDate standards of evidence. Conflict of interest policy. Why UpToDate? Product Editorial Subscription Options Subscribe Sign in. View Topic Loading Font Size Small Normal Large. Patient education: Type 2 diabetes and diet Beyond the Basics.

Formulary drug information for this topic. No drug references linked in this topic. Find in topic Formulary Print Share. Official reprint from UpToDate ® www. com © UpToDate, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Author: Linda M Delahanty, MS, RD Section Editor: David M Nathan, MD Deputy Editor: Katya Rubinow, MD.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. Literature review current through: Jan This topic last updated: Jan 19, TYPE 2 DIABETES OVERVIEW Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disorder that is known for disrupting the way your body uses glucose sugar ; it also causes other problems with the way your body stores and processes other forms of energy, including fat.

WHY IS DIET IMPORTANT? Making changes to your diet is a key part of managing type 2 diabetes. TYPE 2 DIABETES, DIET, AND WEIGHT If you are overweight or have obesity, losing weight can improve blood sugar control and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

WHAT SHOULD I EAT? Patient education: Type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: Diabetes and diet The Basics Patient education: Diet and health The Basics Patient education: High-fiber diet The Basics Patient education: Carb counting for adults with diabetes The Basics Patient education: Treatment for type 2 diabetes The Basics Patient education: The ABCs of diabetes The Basics Patient education: Preparing for pregnancy when you have diabetes The Basics Patient education: Lowering your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes The Basics Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed.