Immediately after eating, blood sugar levels rise significantly even for healthy individuals. These are called blood sugar spikes, and they can cause damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. For diabetics, blood sugar spikes are especially hazardous.
In this article, you will find five useful tips that can help you stabilize your blood sugar levels.
1. Stay on a Low-Carb Diet
Your digestive system breaks carbs into simple sugars. When those sugars find their way into your bloodstream, the blood sugar levels in your body rise rapidly and significantly.
Vegetables, meat, eggs, and dairy products are all low in carbs. Some fruits are better than others, while all refined carbs (sweets, pastry, snacks, etc.) are particularly troublesome.
2. Watch Your Weight
Keeping a healthy weight and a low BMI is very beneficial to controlling not only blood sugar levels but cholesterol as well. Some studies show that obese people have higher blood sugar levels.
3. Be Active
Active muscles absorb more sugar and exercise increases your cells’ sensitivity to insulin. Moderate activity will do just fine; you don’t have to run a marathon straight away.
4. Drink Water
Excess sugar is expelled with urine. Drinking more water will benefit your liver and kidney function as well.
5. Rest
Get enough sleep, 7 to 8 hours a night. It will make you feel more energized and less stressed.
Conclusion
Changes in blood sugar levels are normal, especially after eating. However, severe spikes of blood sugar can have a damaging effect on the body. Keeping the blood sugar levels stable is possible with some adjustments to your lifestyle and diet.
