Easy Ways To Manage Blood Sugar During The Festive Season
The festive season has begun and with that, there’s an increase in consumption of sweets, high-calorie foods and more. All of these can potentially increase your blood sugar levels. When there’s a spike in your blood sugar levels, it can impact different functions of your body. The increase in high blood sugar levels can lead to vision problems, chronic kidney disease, heart disease and diabetic neuropathy among others.
Therefore, it is important that you take the necessary steps that can help manage your blood sugar during the festive season. You need to make some choices and changes in your diet in order to manage your blood sugar levels. Here, take a look at some easy ways that can help regulate your blood sugar during the festivals.
Portion Control
Festivals usually have high-carb and sugary foods. Managing portion sizes can help control blood sugar. Instead of depriving yourself, you can enjoy smaller servings of sweets and snacks as they can help reduce blood glucose spikes.
Choose Whole Grains
Opt for whole-grain versions of staple foods like chapatis, rice and snacks. Whole grains like brown rice, bajra and oats have a lower glycemic index (GI), which helps to keep blood sugar levels steady compared to refined grains like white rice or maida.
Include Fibre-Rich Foods
Incorporate fibre-rich foods like vegetables, legumes and fruits. Fibre slows down digestion and sugar absorption, thereby, helping prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar. Also, add leafy greens, beans and lentils to your festive meals to balance the carbohydrates.
Stay Active
Physical activity helps in regulating blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity. During festive celebrations, make time for light activities like walking or dancing. Even a 15-20 minute post-meal walk can help stabilise blood glucose levels.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important for managing blood sugar. Drink water throughout the day, especially when consuming festive treats. Limit sugary drinks like sodas, sherbets and fruit juices which can cause blood sugar spikes.
Use Natural Sweeteners
Opt for sweets made with natural sweeteners like stevia, jaggery or dates instead of refined sugar. While jaggery and dates still have sugar, they have a slightly lower GI and give you nutrients like iron and potassium, thereby, making them a slightly better alternative.
Mindful Eating
Festive eating can lead to mindless snacking which can impact blood sugar control. Practice mindful eating by focusing on your food, chewing slowly and savouring each bite. This can help in understanding the fullness cues and avoiding overeating, which is important for maintaining balanced blood glucose levels.
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