3 Strategies for Keeping Your Blood Sugar Stable
Dec 08, 2023
Chronically high blood sugar levels can lead to complications that affect nerves and blood vessels, often starting with those in your feet. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to persistent swelling, nerve damage that may cause unrelenting pain and/or loss of sensation, open skin ulcers, and infections that can affect your balance, mobility, and overall health.
On the other hand, our expert team at Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP wants you to enjoy the active life you crave by helping you keep your feet as healthy as possible, even when you’re living with diabetes. After all, one of the best ways to control diabetes is to remain physically active — and you can’t do that very well when your feet hurt.
Here, we offer three strategies that help keep blood sugar levels stable and your feet healthy.
A well-balanced diet is a cornerstone in managing diabetes and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. However, you may be pleasantly surprised if you believe a diabetes-friendly diet is very restrictive. Eliminating all your favorite foods isn’t the goal.
Instead, the objective is healthy eating and controlling portion size as you enjoy regularly timed meals and snacks. This helps your body maintain steady blood glucose (sugar) levels. Here’s what to aim for when you have diabetes:
Incorporating various nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, contributes to stable blood sugar levels.
Consuming complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, and avoiding refined sugars in prepackaged foods helps regulate blood sugar. Fiber-rich foods are vital for slowing down glucose absorption and promoting a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels after meals.
Practicing portion control can prevent spikes in blood glucose. Because your body converts carbs to sugar, even the healthiest fruits or whole grains add unnecessary calories and carbs to your intake if you overindulge.
A dietician can help you explore your dietary options and learn how to measure carbs and portion sizes. Food labels also break down carbs according to serving size.
Eating three meals at about the same time daily with snacks in between helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, skipping meals because you’re busy or so you can indulge at supper causes your blood sugar to drop during the day and spike overnight. This is especially problematic if you use insulin or take medication to manage blood sugar, since most are affected by meals.
Exercise is a powerful tool in diabetes management, aiding in both weight control and blood sugar regulation. Regular physical activity helps muscles use glucose for energy, lowering blood sugar levels. Moreover, exercise enhances insulin sensitivity, making the hormone more effective in regulating blood sugar.
Low-impact exercise options like walking, swimming, and cycling are excellent choices for individuals looking to maintain healthy feet. These activities promote cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of complications related to poor circulation, a common concern for those with diabetes.
Regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels and overall health is critical to successfully managing diabetes. Our team works closely with other providers in your diabetes care team to establish a routine that suits your lifestyle and health needs.
Because diabetes increases your risk of circulatory issues, nerve damage, vision loss, kidney damage, and other serious health complications, it’s also crucial to maintain regular follow-up appointments with specialists.
For instance, successful diabetes management includes annual visits with podiatrists to evaluate for signs of circulatory and nerve dysfunction affecting your lower extremity health. You should come in sooner if you’re having problems like foot pain, decreased sensation, or skin changes in your feet, which can signal problems with diabetes control.
Book your diabetes care visit at Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP, today by calling your nearest office in Dallas, Garland, or Richardson, Texas, today, or requesting an appointment online any time.