The process where the body breaks down complex carbs and starch into the simplest form of sugar – glucose – and supply it to the cells to release energy is sugar metabolism. Glucose is, thus, the necessary fuel that the blood supply to all the cells in order to keep you energetic. The most relevant hormone that aids sugar metabolism is ‘insulin’. If, for some reason, the body starts resisting insulin or stops its production altogether, the result is spiked blood sugar. As threatening as it sounds, it is still possible to keep blood sugar in a healthy range by managing diet and weight.
Having said that, whilst blood sugar spikes are normal before and after eating and/or exercising, the problem leads to diabetes when the levels fail to come down within the normal range.
What Is Diabetes And Blood Sugar Spikes?
Diabetes is a health disorder that’s a result of insulin malfunctioning. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the pancreas. It is this hormone that regulates the entry of glucose in the cells to release energy.
A significant drop in insulin level results in Blood Sugar Spike. Since the glucose fails to enter the cells, it is left unused in the bloodstream. The result of this bulk accumulation is a diabetes of the following types.
Type 1 diabetes – Insulin-dependent diabetes (complete absence of insulin).
Type 2 diabetes – The scarcity of insulin (not complete absence).
Whatever the reason, diabetes of all kinds is incurable, but it is possible to keep blood sugar spikes under control. The best ways to do so and manage diabetes are listed below.
1. Plan Your Meals
When high blood sugar remains untreated, the glucose accumulation goes above the deadly mark (250 mg/dL). It leads to Diabetic Ketoacidosis – a fatal condition that can cause death. Thus, it’s best to hire a nutritionist if you have hyperglycemia and plan your meals (3 major meals/day). Follow the diet chart religiously.
2. Diet Management
Diet management is extremely important to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. And, a healthy range depends upon health status.
The normal blood sugar for healthy individuals is 4.0 – 5.4 mmol/L before breakfast and up to 7.8 mmol/L for 2 hours after breakfast.
The targeted blood sugar level for Type 1 diabetic patients is 5.0 -7.0 mmol/L after waking up, 4.0 – 7.0 mmol/L before breakfast, and up to 5.0 – 9.0 mmol/L for 2 hours after breakfast.
The target blood sugar level Type 2 diabetic patients is 4.0 – 7.0 mmol/L before breakfast and below 8.5 mmol/L 2 hours after breakfast.
The best ways to make sure that your blood sugar remains between these healthy levels only include the following.
Aim at consuming foods with a low glycemic index.
Avoid foods rich in complex carbs, trans-fat, cholesterol, and saturated fat.
3. Weight Management
It is necessary that you workout on a regular basis if you are diabetic. It is difficult for the body to optimize insulin management in obese people. Thus, make lifestyle changes by performing weight loss yoga and other cardio exercises like swimming, running, and cycling.
4. Eat Digestion Metabolizers
Fibers are the best digestion metabolizers. Thus, eat a lot of fiber-rich foods like oats, legumes, porridge, spinach, blueberries, and oranges.
Also, consuming more water reduces blood acidity level. It helps people with hyperglycemia.
