Keeping your blood sugar under control is one of the most important ways to manage diabetes. You’ve probably heard it all. But did you know that you can lower your blood sugar naturally?
How to Lower Blood Sugar
There are many different ways to keep your blood sugar in check. Here are the top 10 ways to manage blood sugar naturally for diabetes:
1. Keep Those Carbs in Check
Even if you aren’t diabetic, you know that you should keep track of your carb intake. But as a diabetic, carbs can send your blood sugar through the roof. The answer? Eat them sparingly.
Consider adopting a food exchange system or counting carbs. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends using either method to control carb intake.
2. Get Moving
Exercise is good for your general health. But did you know that it may keep your blood sugar under control? Regular exercise can increase insulin sensitivity as well as help you lose some extra weight. And both can be integral to glucose management.
3. Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water to stay hydrated may also help with your blood sugar levels. First, it helps flush out excess blood sugar from the body every time you urinate. In addition, regular water drinking may also lower the risk of developing diabetes in the first place.
4. Eat Some Fiber
Consuming fiber may help to slow down sugar absorption and carb digestion, so it promotes a slow rise in glucose levels instead of sharp spikes.
5. Control Your Stress Levels
Stress may affect your blood sugar levels. You can add that to the long list of bad things stress does to the body. Stress causes cortisol and glucagon to be released into the body. And in turn, these hormones may also cause blood sugar levels to rise.
6. Practice Portion Control
It’s easy to over do it with your portions. And eating too much can cause your blood sugar to skyrocket. So practice moderation and try a little portion control in your daily diet. It may not help lower your glucose levels directly, but it can keep them manageable.
7. Get Some Sleep
Getting quality sleep may be good for many ailments. But the lack thereof can make your health worse – especially if you’re diabetic.
Like increased stress levels, sleep deprivation can cause the release of hormones that may wreak havoc on blood sugar control.
8. Put Some Apple Cider in Your Diet
Apple cider vinegar has enjoyed some notoriety lately with its many health benefits. And one of those benefits may help diabetics keep blood sugar under control. How so? Vinegar, in general, may improve insulin sensitivity. And apple cider vinegar promotes lower fasting blood sugar levels.
9. Don’t Neglect Chromium and Magnesium-Rich Foods
They may not sound appetizing, but foods that are rich in these minerals are exactly what you need. Studies linked high blood sugar to deficiencies in certain nutrients. So be sure you incorporate plenty of chromium and magnesium-rich foods like:
- Whole grains
- Dark leafy greens
- Beans
- Avocados
10. Put a Little Cinnamon Spice in Your Life
Cinnamon lovers rejoice. If you’re diabetic, here’s another reason to add it to everything. One study reveals that it can lower glucose levels by as much as 29%.
Final Thought
There are many ways to lower your blood sugar naturally. And you may be doing many of them already. Keep maintaining a healthy lifestyle and watch what and how much you eat. You may be surprised how easy it is to manage blood sugar for diabetes.
