Not just sugar: 5 other factors that can hinder diabetes control

Living with diabetes can be quite challenging. You may be concerned about taking your medications on time, monitoring your blood sugar levels, and making sure you’re eating the right kinds of food. Some foods may not be suitable for you, as they may cause a sudden increase in your blood sugar levels. These include high-carb foods and drinks, processed meats, fried foods and the deadliest of them all – sugar. Although removing these foods from your diet is helpful, some people still struggle to manage it. So, where are you going wrong? Are you forgetting something? Well, it’s not just the type of food you eat that matters, but also how you eat it along with other lifestyle factors. If you’re unable to manage diabetes, here’s what you might be going wrong with, as shared by nutritionist Shweta J Panchal.
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5 factors besides sugar that make diabetes difficult to control:

1. You have replaced sugar with jaggery or honey

Sugar is strictly prohibited in the diabetic diet. This is something that you should only consume in limited quantities, and even then only occasionally. But taking jaggery or honey instead of sugar will not be of any benefit. We should not forget that jaggery and honey also contain sugar and consuming them in excess can make it difficult to control diabetes. According to Shweta, while having these two, a person should practice portion control.

2. You’re eating too many simple carbohydrates

You should also avoid consuming too many simple carbohydrates. This is because simple carbs are quickly digested and can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. Nutritionists suggest enriching your diet with a balance of simple and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbs take longer to digest and will help keep your blood sugar under control. So, make sure to include oats, quinoa or brown rice in your diet.

3. There is not enough protein in your diet

The amount of protein you consume also plays a huge role in managing diabetes. If you eat only bread and vegetables for dinner, then it is time to change it. Protein slowly breaks down into glucose, ensuring that your blood sugar levels do not fluctuate. Shweta says, ‘It is important to have protein in the daily diet.’

4. Don’t start your meal with fiber

According to nutritionists, you should always start your meal with a source of fiber. Choose a delicious salad or hearty soup. This works in your favor, as fiber helps with blood sugar control. When you eat something after eating fiber rich food, your sugar will remain under control. On the other hand, skipping fiber can cause rapid rises and falls in your blood sugar levels.

5. You are not physically active

Another reason for not being able to manage diabetes could be that you are physically inactive. You may be following all the dietary guidelines, but you are not physically active. This can make it difficult for your body to manage blood sugar levels and may cause your sugar to become high. “Make sure to include some kind of physical activity in your daily routine, as this will help improve insulin sensitivity,” says Shweta.
Also read: Concerned about early diabetes? Try These 3 Simple Diet Strategies

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A post shared by dietitian Shweta J Panchal | Diet therapy (@dt.shwetashabhanchal)

Now that you know that sugar is not the only reason behind diabetes, we hope you will be able to manage it more effectively.