Foods that Lower Blood Sugar

30Nov/090

If you suffer from high levels of blood sugar, you may be more likely to develop serious health conditions, such as infections, blood clotting, and the inability of cuts and wounds to heal. High sugar levels in the blood can also lead to conditions such as diabetes. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to lower blood sugar levels.

Even if you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes, you may benefit from eating foods that lower blood sugar.

Lowering Your Blood Sugar

While some people aren't officially diagnosed with diabetes, they may be warned by their physician that they have higher than normal levels of blood sugar. Others may have been diagnosed with diabetes and have already been educated on the risks involved with this disease. Regardless of the category in which you fall, it is important to lower your blood sugar to stave off more serious health complications. While diabetes is a common diagnosis with high blood sugar, other issues such as infections, difficulty with healing in wounds and cuts, and blood clotting problems are just some of the complications that could occur.

Of course there are a variety of medications that can help you keep your blood sugar levels under control, but there are also preventative measures you can take, and these involve exercise and dietary choices.

Exercise

Regular exercise can improve a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure and increased blood sugar levels. A regular exercise routine can help you control your weight and your cholesterol levels, while often lowering the amount of sugar in your blood. For many people, exercising 30 to 45 minutes five or six days a week is all that is needed to regulate blood sugar. It is important to consult your doctor, however, before beginning any new exercise routines.

Understanding the Foods that Lower Blood Sugar

Along with a regular exercise routine, there are many foods that lower blood sugar. Incorporating these foods into your daily diet could significantly lower your risk of diabetes, and for those who have already been diagnosed with this disease, these foods can help you keep your blood sugar level more regulated. Foods that lower blood sugar are typically "low-gylcemic", meaning they are digested more slowly. As you experiment with a variety of these foods, give your body a chance to adjust to them before discontinuing a particular food. Again, it is important to work with your doctor on choosing a specialized diet that addresses your individual health needs and concerns.

Foods to Avoid

As you make out your daily menus, there are several foods that you should avoid. These foods are typically "high-glycemic foods", meaning they are more difficult to digest and cause the body to work harder to produce insulin. Common foods in this category include the following:

Candy, cookies, cakes, and other high-sugar content foods
White flour foods, such as breads, cereals, etc.
White rice
White potatoes

Good Foods

The following is a list of foods that are typically associated with lowering blood sugar. Remember to eat these in moderation, however. Portion sizes also play a role in lowering blood sugar.

Water-Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day will help your body digest the food you eat.
Avocado-This is a great source of fiber.
Sweet potatoes-While you should avoid white potatoes, sweet potatoes contain powerful antioxidants.
Nuts-Nuts are an excellent between-meals snack. Good nut choices include almonds, Brazils, cashews, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts.
Fruit-While some fruits contain high levels of sugar, there are other fruits which help to lower blood sugar levels. Cherries are low in calories and high in fiber, and they fight heart disease and diabetes. Lemons are another healthy choice. Their high acidic levels can lower the glycemic index of your food, and they are a great source for Vitamin C.
Other foods-Other foods, herbs, and spices that are great for lowering blood sugar include cinnamon, garlic, onions, flaxseed, licorice, huckleberries, yarrow, barley, and raw vegetables.

For more information regarding your blood sugar levels, consult your doctor.