Constant high blood sugar levels lead to diabetes – a lifelong disease that can cause many health complications. However, we can keep it under control by following a certain diet and lifestyle habits.
At first, it might look complicated and hard, but once you learn all the things and foods that affect our blood glucose, you’ll know how to manage your condition while leading a normal life.
Diet plays a huge role in diabetes management. We have to pay attention to what we eat and drink, as well as when and how much to keep our blood sugar levels within the normal range.
A low-carb diet is one of the best diets for people with high blood glucose and those who are trying to lose some weight. It is flexible and can be followed by people with all types of diabetes.
A lot of people with type 2 diabetes managed to improve their blood sugar control and reduce their need for medication by following a low-carb diet.
Some foods are loaded with carbohydrates – the nutrient which has the most significant impact on blood glucose levels. What’s more, it requires the most insulin, and more insulin production increases insulin resistance.
This, in turn, raises the blood sugar levels in the body, thus the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
While you can’t completely cut out carbs from your diet, as it is one of the essential nutrients for your body, you can choose foods that contain little or no carbs.
Eating these foods will help reduce insulin resistance and blood glucose levels, as well as aid in losing weight.
Following a low-carb diet will bring you the following benefits:
The optimal carbohydrate intake for people with diabetes is still not entirely clear. Some studies show 20 grams of carbs a day can help improve weight, blood glucose levels, and other markers.
Dr. Bernstein gave 30 gr of carbohydrates per day to his diabetes patients and marked excellent blood sugar control in their bodies. So, the ideal amount of carbohydrates varies by individual.
To calculate your optimal amount, measure your blood sugar levels before a meal and once again one to two hours after your meal.
If your blood glucose stays below 8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL), the levels at which nerve damage occurs, your carb intake per meal should be 6 gr, 10 gr, or 25 gr, provided that you follow a low-carb diet.
Feel free to consume these low-carb foods until you are full. Also, don’t forget to include enough protein in each meal.
Consume these foods in smaller quantities, depending on your carb tolerance.
Here are the foods highest in carbs which can spike your blood sugar levels.
Each meal contains up to 15 gr of digestible carbs, but you can adjust the serving sizes if you have higher or lower carb tolerance. The total digestible carb intake is 37 grams.
Total digestible carbs – 10.5 gr
Total digestible carbs – 12.5 gr
Total digestible carbs – 14 gr