Foods To Control High Sugar Levels

By Madhu Babu

Controlling blood sugar level in your body is very important for your health and well being. High blood sugar increases your risk of getting diabetes and low level of blood sugar results in Hypoglycemia. Eating right and healthy diet is very important to maintain optimum blood sugar levels. There are nearly 400 million diabetics around the world. It is a condition where your body fails to produce insulin and results in high blood sugar.

You need to have a good healthy lifestyle and maintain healthy diet to avoid diseases arising out of improper blood sugar levels. You have to keep schedule when it comes to meals and follow it sincerely. Your meal must be balanced with starches, fruits and vegetables, proteins, and fat in right quantity recommended for your body type.

You have to follow a regular fitness regime to keep sugar levels in check. When you do physical activities, your muscles use sugar for energy.

There are several foods that are essential for your body to control blood sugar levels. You have to make sure you regularly include them in your diet to maintain optimum sugar levels. Foods such as Apple, Legumes, Nuts, Spinach, Kale etc are packed with nutrients that stabilise blood sugar levels and help in preventing diabetes. Your diet should be balanced with raw vegetables, leafy green vegetables and fruits.

Foods to control high sugar levels.

Apple

Apple

This wonder is as tasty as its nutritional value it carries. A study has shown consuming apple regularly reduces chances of diabetes by upto 20% due to presence of quercetin in high levels.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits

Fruits such as orange, sweet lime and fresh limes are packed with anti-oxidants and rich in nutrients, fibres and vitamin C that help control blood sugar levels.

Nuts

Nuts

Regularly eating nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts and peanuts helps in preventing heart diseases and diabetes caused due to high blood sugar levels. They are rich in fiber and protein. They are high calorie, hence need to be consumed in limited quantities.

Avocado

Avocado

Avocados are filled with soluble fiber that slows down the digestive process, preventing blood sugar from rising too rapidly. They contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are good for your body. They also control your appetite for regular meal.

Beans and legumes

Beans and legumes

Beans and legumes are low in fat, high in protein, packed with soluble fiber and come in lots of varieties. The fiber slows the release of glucose into your bloodstream, which prevents the blood sugar from increasing.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Studies show that consuming ½ teaspoon of cinnamon daily can make cells more sensitive to insulin thereby making the cells convert blood sugar to energy. This helps in preventing blood sugar spikes after eating.

Fish

Fish

Fish is a healthy alternate to read meats. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fishes such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, are particularly beneficial for reducing risk of diabetes and control cholestrol in your body.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a rich source of soluble fiber, oatmeal helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable as they release energy slowly and steadily. They help in controlling your appetite and urge to over eat.

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables are low in fat and calories, high in fiber and have high water content. Vegetables help you to feel fuller for longer periods of time and won't cause blood sugar levels to spike.

Green Tea

Green Tea

Green tea, orange or cranberry juice packed with flavonoids which is a powerful inflammation fighter. People who skip regular exercise, fruits and fresh vegetables are prone to Chronic-Inflammation which thwarts your body's ability to absorb blood sugar.

Story first published: Saturday, November 16, 2013, 14:37 [IST]
Read more about: diet