Are you struggling with those high blood sugar readings? Are you hoping to get them down so you can reduce your need for more medication (or getting started on them in the first place)? Then keep reading!
In this blog post, I’m going to share with you my top 5 better blood sugar tips and resources to help you lower your A1c.
Let’s dive in!
Track your blood sugar
Now you might be thinking, “Well duh, Carrie”. But let me tell you. So many times have I had people come to me with a high A1c, only to find out they haven’t been checking their blood sugar daily. In fact, I suggest tracking it more often than that – about 2-3 times a day until you can get them under control.
Better yet, if your insurance will pay for a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) such as the Freestyle Libre, then that reduces those annoying finger sticks. You’ll even get more data making it easier for you to note trends. Which brings me to tip #2.
Log your blood sugar readings
It’s not enough to just stick your finger and keep the readings in your meter. By having your numbers charted on a piece of paper, xcel sheet, or phone app such as mySugr, it’s easier to see when your blood sugar tends to be the highest. You can also take it a step further and log your food intake to see how meals and snacks may be affecting you.
In my program, the MEDication Freedom Method, we review your blood sugar logs as well as your food intake and lifestyle together to really pinpoint what it will take to get that A1c down.
Include protein at snacks
By including protein with those carbohydrates at your snacks, it can make a world of difference on those blood sugar readings. Protein helps carbohydrates digest more slowly as opposed to having carbohydrates alone. This allows blood sugar to go up gradually instead of spiking.
Try out some of these balanced high protein snacks:
- String cheese and an apple
- 1/2 cup of edamame
- 1/2 cup tuna salad with 6 Triscuit crackers
Take caution with high glycemic foods
It’s true that some fruits can make blood sugar go up quicker than others. We call these high glycemic foods. This is a result of carbohydrates digesting too quickly. That doesn’t mean we have to cut then out completely though. Simply by limiting portions, you can still have your cake and eat it too. Here are some examples of higher glycemic foods:
- Tropical fruits – bananas, mangoes, pineapple
- Watermelon
- White rice
- Pasta
- Pastries and doughnuts
Get strong
My last tip to help you get better blood sugar readings is to get into an exercise routine. And I don’t mean training up for a marathon. In fact, the opposite. Focus on building those muscles instead of cardio. By doing so, your muscles will use up the glucose in your bloodstream without the need for insulin. Because in the case of type 2 diabetes, there’s often the struggle with insulin resistance.
These are just a few of the tricks I have up my sleeve when it comes to improving your A1c. If you’re looking for more personalized advice and another set of eyes on your blood sugar log, schedule a free 30-minute video call with me! Let’s talk about how I can help you further.