Berries contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and all of this makes them an excellent choice for people with blood sugar management issues. Research has shown that eating nuts may be an effective way to help regulate blood sugar levels. Pumpkin seeds are packed with healthy fats and protein, which make them an excellent choice for blood sugar management (18, 19). 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.
The article explains why morning blood sugar levels may be high and natural ways to lower them if you have diabetes. I bet you’ve heard before that skipping meals can lead to poor food choices at the next meal. Oftentimes, when we skip a meal, we become so hungry that at the next opportunity to eat we eat the wrong foods and too much of them. If your only treatment is metformin, you may not need to check your blood sugar more than once a day. Skipping breakfast, on the other hand, has been linked to higher blood sugar levels and weight gain.
If you skip the day’s first meal, your blood sugar is more likely to be too high after lunch and dinner. One study found that people who ate a 500-calorie breakfast with at least 35% protein had lower post-meal blood sugar throughout the day than those who ate a breakfast lower in protein and higher in carbs. Skipping meals is no shortcut to weight loss or blood sugar control.
Managing high blood sugar levels is crucial for individuals with diabetes. While skipping meals may seem like a quick fix to lower blood sugar, it can actually have negative consequences on your health.
But oftentimes, a person will test themselves and find that their blood sugar is high despite doing everything their healthcare provider told them to do. This may be due to a relatively common event called the dawn phenomenon that affects roughly 50% people of living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medicine that tells your pancreas to make insulin, your blood sugar can drop when you don’t eat.
The insulin might not last very long, and the injection could be very painful. Write down each measurement or record it in an app on your phone to show your doctor. Your doctor needs this information to determine how much insulin is right for you. People with diabetes can be active, even if they take insulin or use technology such as insulin pumps. Although citrus fruits contain natural sugar, they are considered low to medium on the glycemic index.
It’s important goal is to get the nutrients you need from your meals. Eating a variety of foods daily will help you to reach the recommended daily intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, etc. When in doubt, check the medication packaging for guidance, contact your healthcare provider, or talk to a pharmacist. If you miss several doses, contact your practitioner about the best course of action. Certain populations should not engage in intermittent fasting, especially if they have diabetes.
Why skipping meals is not recommended:
Skipping meals can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, causing them to spike even higher when you do eat. This can put added stress on your body and make it harder to control your blood sugar in the long run.
Here are some reasons why skipping meals is not a good idea:
- Skiping meals can lead to overeating later on
- Skipping meals can slow down your metabolism
- Skipping meals can cause nutrient deficiencies
What should you do instead?
It’s important to maintain a healthy eating schedule and choose foods that help stabilize blood sugar levels. Eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day can help keep your blood sugar in check.
Tips for managing high blood sugar:
- Choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
- Monitor your carbohydrate intake
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized advice on how to manage your blood sugar levels effectively without resorting to skipping meals.
