Keeping your blood sugar in check is the best way to prevent serious health problems. To do this, eat a healthy diet that includes natural sugars from fruits and dairy, which are broken down into glucose in the body more slowly than added sugar.
Add sugars are process quickly and sent to the liver for fat storage which causes a sugar crash that leaves you hungry and craving another pick-me-up.
![check on your blood sugar](https://i.imgur.com/LbaBFlW.jpg)
1. Eat healthy foods
Foods that are low in sugar and high in fibre will help to keep blood glucose levels balanced. Try eating a bowl of oatmeal or a veggie smoothie for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. Eating more protein (like an egg or a handful of peanuts) and healthy fats is also good for your blood sugar.
The body breaks down carbohydrates (found in grains, fruit, milk, and vegetables) into glucose. Glucose enters your bloodstream and is used for energy or sent to the liver for storage as fat. Eating too many processed foods with added sugar can lead to a sharp rise in blood sugar followed by a crash.
Be sure to wash your hands before using a glucometer to test your blood sugar. If you do not, the first drop of blood contaminated with a sugar-containing food or drink, which can throw off the results.
2. Exercise regularly
Sugars, whether added or natural, break down quickly and enter your bloodstream as glucose. Your body uses glucose for energy, but any that isn’t used immediately gets sent to the liver for fat storage. The insulin produced by your body helps to bring glucose into the cells, where it used as energy. Eating fewer sugars (and reading labels), getting plenty of exercise, prioritizing sleep, and managing your stress can help keep your glucose levels steady throughout the day.
Keeping your blood sugar level steady can improve your mood and increase your energy, Seebohar says. Make sure to wash your hands before using your glucometer, as even slightly dirty hands can affect the results. Also, avoid eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes before testing.
3. Get plenty of sleep
While it’s normal for blood sugar levels to rise and fall throughout the day, major dips can affect your energy level. Try to keep them steady by following a healthy diet and making sure you’re getting enough sleep. Exercise also helps keep the body’s glucose in check, while proven stress busters like meditation and breathing exercises can help lower cortisol, a hormone that causes blood sugar to spike. Staying hydrated is important as well. Drink plenty of water and choose electrolyte replacements with no added sugar such as UCAN Hydrate. These drinks used before and after workouts. It is also recommend to take a routine blood sugar test right before you go to bed.
4. Manage your stress
While it’s natural for blood sugar levels to fluctuate throughout the day, major dips and spikes can impact energy and mood. The best way to keep your blood sugar steady is to eat a balanced diet of fresh, vibrantly colored vegetables and fruit; whole grains like quinoa, millet and oatmeal; lean protein from chicken, fish, egg whites and low-fat dairy; and healthy fats from olive oil, avocado and nuts.
Stress-reducing herbs and supplements can also help manage blood sugar levels. GlucoTrust, for example, is formula with herbs that promote sleep and calm the mind as treat frequent urination associated with diabetes.
5. Take your medication as prescribed
The best way to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range is to take your medication as prescribed. This may include taking finger stick blood tests using a glucose monitor or wearing a sensor that provides readings 24 hours a day, called a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
The most obvious reason for keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range is that it helps to prevent complications from diabetes, Seebohar says. But well-controlled blood sugar can also make it easier to concentrate, as well as provide you with more energy throughout the day.
*BG – Blood glucose (also known as dextrose) is the sugar that the body uses for energy. Blood glucose is measur in mmol/L or mg/dL. A feature in your meter allows you to set a reminder to check your BG after you eat a meal or snack. Your monitor also shows you your daily totals of basal and bolus insulin.