Exercise nanaging people with managjng 2 diabetes is discussed in more detail separately. These are rich in something called omega-3 oil, which helps protect your heart. Follow a minimally processed diet.

Approaches for managing sugar levels -

Over time, high blood sugar can lead to long-term, serious health problems. Symptoms of high blood sugar include:. If you get sick , your blood sugar can be hard to manage. You may not be able to eat or drink as much as usual, which can affect blood sugar levels. High ketones can be an early sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately.

Ketones are a kind of fuel produced when fat is broken down for energy. When too many ketones are produced too fast, they can build up in your body and cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA is very serious and can cause a coma or even death.

Common symptoms of DKA include:. If you think you may have DKA, test your urine for ketones. Follow the test kit directions, checking the color of the test strip against the color chart in the kit to see your ketone level.

If your ketones are high, call your health care provider right away. DKA requires treatment in a hospital. Talk to your doctor about how to keep your blood sugar levels within your target range.

Your doctor may suggest the following:. Carbs in food make your blood sugar levels go higher after you eat them than when you eat proteins or fats. You can still eat carbs if you have diabetes. The amount you can have and stay in your target blood sugar range depends on your age, weight, activity level, and other factors.

Counting carbs in foods and drinks is an important tool for managing blood sugar levels. Make sure to talk to your health care team about the best carb goals for you.

The A1C test is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 or 3 months. A1C testing is part of the ABCs of diabetes—important steps you can take to prevent or delay health complications down the road:.

Work with your doctor to establish a personal A1C goal for you. Lowering your overall intake of carbohydrates can also be helpful for balanced blood sugar , but you don't need to cut them out completely they're still a crucial source of fuel for your body.

Whenever possible, simply swap out refined carbohydrates like bread, white pasta, and candy for fiber-rich, whole-food sources such as whole grains, sweet potatoes, and fruit, which contain a number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants essential for health.

Eating some protein, fiber, and healthy fat with each meal can help stabilize blood sugar and manage your appetite. Each of these nutrients helps balance blood sugar on its own, but they're even better together.

We love a good kale salad topped with avocado and a protein of choice. Greens powders are dried, powdered forms of various vegetables and fruits. Specialty greens blends will sometimes include prebiotic fibers too. These antioxidant-laden superfood plants and slow carbs are blood sugar-friendly.

If you struggle to stick with salads or you're looking to up your veggies game, then greens powders can help you deliver some greens goodness and help maintain a healthy blood sugar level. In fact, one study found that adding a vegetable powder to a high-carbohydrate diet helped buffer the short-term glucose and insulin response 3.

A giant, late-night dinner is your blood sugar's worst enemy. That's because our bodies become more insulin resistant as the day goes on 4 —so a meal that you eat in the evening will cause a greater spike in blood sugar than a meal you eat in the morning.

Because of this, many nutrition experts advise front-loading your meals, or eating bigger meals earlier in the day and having a smaller dinner at least three hours before bed. Both sleep deprivation and stress can cause elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which raises blood sugar.

Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and adopt stress-busting habits such as exercise, meditation, or yoga. One study found that nursing students who did meditation and yoga experienced lower blood sugar spikes 5 after meals.

Drinking water helps your kidneys flush out excess blood sugar through your urine. One study found that people who drank more water had a lower risk of developing hyperglycemia 6 high blood sugar. Can't seem to drink enough? Or is water is just too plain for your taste buds?

Try these other drinks for blood sugar balance. Your muscles need blood glucose for fuel, which means that when you do that strength training routine , you're helping move blood sugar from the bloodstream into the muscles where it's then burned up.

Over time, this can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level and increase insulin sensitivity 7 i. Intense exercise can temporarily raise blood sugar, so if you have poor blood sugar control, then it makes sense to start moderate think walking, jogging, or yoga , and then work your way up.

Swigging apple cider vinegar might not sound appealing, but it could help keep your blood sugar in balance if taken before you eat. Some research has found that consuming ACV reduced post-meal blood sugar levels by about half in healthy patients.

The theory is that acetic acid, a component of the vinegar, slows down the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar in the bloodstream. Pro tip: Mix a tablespoon or two into a glass of water—taking it straight will burn!

Research on cinnamon's blood-sugar-stabilizing powers is a little mixed, and it may not be a wonder spice. But if you're adding it to an already healthy diet, then it can have a subtle benefit, especially if you add a lot of it into your diet more than just a teaspoon.

Some studies suggest that cinnamon promotes healthy blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity 8 , or making insulin more efficient at moving glucose into cells. Bonus: It tastes delicious! Magnesium seems to be of particular importance when it comes to maintaining a healthy blood sugar level and improving insulin sensitivity 9.

Nosh on some chromium-rich foods like broccoli, barley, and oats while you're at it. One study found that the combined effects of chromium and magnesium 10 were more beneficial than either mineral alone. You can also try a magnesium supplement to support optimal levels.

Probiotics are an obvious supplement for supporting digestive health, but they can also play an important role in blood sugar maintenance. In addition to popping a quality probiotic supplement , add healthy, probiotic-rich foods to your diet such as kefir, plain yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, or even a little low-sugar kombucha.

To help probiotic bacteria to thrive, eat plenty of prebiotic foods such as fiber-rich leafy greens and vegetables. Complex carbohydrates consist of three or more sugars that are linked together.

They result in a more gradual release of sugar into the body, meaning that blood sugar levels do not rise rapidly after a person eats them.

Some people may use the glycemic index GI to help them monitor how much sugar and carbohydrate they eat, which will, in turn, help them manage their blood sugar levels. The GI measures and ranks various foods by how much they cause blood sugar levels to rise. Low GI foods describe those that score 55 or lower on the index.

These foods include:. Reaching a moderate weight can help a person better manage their diabetes. The ideal weight range for a person varies among individuals, but a doctor can help provide guidance.

Evidence notes a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. Research also highlights the relationship between obesity and insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for allowing glucose in the blood to enter cells.

At most meals, a person should follow portion guidelines. Eating a suitable portion size can make it easier to manage weight and control blood sugar levels. Many factors, such as weight, body composition, and activity levels, play a role in determining the ideal portion sizes. A doctor or dietitian can offer more specific advice on appropriate portion sizes for a person.

Exercise has many health benefits and can help a person manage their blood sugar levels. Notably, exercise can help by increasing insulin sensitivity, allowing muscle cells to use the hormone more effectively to take up glucose and use it for energy.

This can help lower blood sugar in the short term. Proper hydration is crucial for health, and it can help a person control their blood sugar levels. Dehydration is the term for the body having less water than it requires.

It can cause blood sugar levels to spike, as less water in the body means that there is a higher concentration of sugar in the blood.

Therefore, taking on more fluids can help lower blood sugar. However, it is important to hydrate with water, as other beverages — such as fruit juices and sodas — can cause blood glucose to increase further. Some people may consider using herbal supplements to help control their blood sugar.

Although some research suggests that they may have a positive effect, more evidence is necessary to support these claims.

Additionally, some herbs can interact with other medications and result in side effects. As such, a person should discuss any supplements with a doctor before taking them. Stress has a significant effect on blood sugar levels. The body releases stress hormones when it is under tension, such as when a person is ill or experiencing emotional stress, and these hormones can raise blood sugar levels.

Evidence notes that managing stress through exercise and allowing time for rest and relaxation can help lower blood sugar levels. Getting adequate sleep can help with diabetes management. Evidence indicates that most adults should aim for 7 or more hours of sleep per night.

Insufficient sleep can have various effects on the body, including :. Keeping blood sugars at target levels can help people with diabetes avoid experiencing hyper- and hypoglycemic episodes.

Having blood sugars outside the target range can result in sudden ill effects. If a person is frequently unable to keep their blood glucose within these ranges, damage can occur throughout the body and lead to serious consequences.

Type Approaches for managing sugar levels diabetes is usually levela using the glycated Appoaches A1C test. This blood test Approachss your average blood sugar level Approafhes the past two to three months. Results are interpreted as follows:. If the A1C test isn't available, or if you have certain conditions that interfere with an A1C test, your health care provider may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes:. Random blood sugar test. Fasting blood sugar test.