Tips for Effective Diabetes Control: Strategies for Managing Blood Sugar Levels

Russell

Have you ever heard this – “Tough times never last but tough people do”?

Sayings like these can’t convey their true meaning unless you go through what they’re talking about yourself. Even your condition may look like a tough nut to crack. We’re not saying it’s easy peasy, but you can make it so. The better you deal with the toughness of it, the tougher you get and the easier managing your diabetes becomes.

When doing so, some simple blood sugar control tips can help with diabetes control and we’re here to share the same with you.

Tip 1: Lose those extra pounds

Maintaining a healthy weight when going through diabetes is really important. When you have excess weight or are obese, it becomes difficult for your body to maintain blood sugar levels. Discuss with your doctor what a healthy weight is for you and try to achieve it with the help of a balanced diet and exercise. Lose those extra pounds, you don’t need them. Even the slightest weight loss can reflect positively on your blood sugar levels. 

Tip 2: Watch what you eat and drink

Your daily meals should be a combination of things. The idea is to consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Cut down on processed or sugary snacks, they may cause a spike in your blood sugar levels.

Additionally, remember to stay hydrated. Always pick water over other beverages. If you like, you can add flavour to your water with the help of mint, lemon, or cucumber.

Tip 3: Learn to count your carbs

It may sound a little fussy but learning about carbohydrates will make a great difference in understanding how different foods affect your body. In the case of diabetes, carbs have a major impact on your blood sugar levels, hence, it is important to monitor it. Learn how to count carbs and adjust your insulin and other medicinal doses accordingly. 

Your focus should be on complex carbs that are high in fibre, and have a lower glycemic index. Simple carbs tend to create a spike in sugar levels and are not good for your health. They should be consumed in moderation for good diabetes control.

Tip 4: Stay active, as much as you can

Staying active has multiple benefits like lowered blood sugar, better insulin sensitivity, and weight loss.

Try to engage in 30 mins of moderate-intensity workout 3-4 times a week. Aim for aerobic exercise or resistance exercises. 

Additionally, you can also take up activities that you enjoy like walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing, and make them a part of your routine. The more active you are and exercise, the more efficiently your body can use insulin and lower your blood sugar levels. 

Tip 5: Take your meds when you should

Diabetes is a chronic condition and not something one should take lightly. Hence, when your doctor prescribes medicines, you should take them as directed. When you skip your dose or are inconsistent with your medications, there can be fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which could also lead to more complications. Be communicative with your doctor, feel free to ask questions or mention your concerns and queries about diabetes control.

Tip 6: Stressing should be the last of your priorities

When you are stressed, the hormonal release can disbalance your sugar levels. Stress isn’t good for anyone, but it is especially harmful for a diabetic person as it can make them feel overwhelmed. You can try ways to calm yourself down or manage your stress with activities such as meditating, yoga, and deep breathing. Reaching out to friends, family, and close ones may also help.

Tip 7: Get your beauty sleep

Taking 7-9 hours of sleep daily is important. A good quality of sleep keeps your blood sugar levels in check. Having a bedtime routine also helps; it signals your body that it’s time to sleep. Poor quality of sleep or lack of sleep can create a hormonal imbalance and ultimately make managing diabetes more difficult. Prioritise getting enough sleep to support your overall health and well-being and develop good diabetes control.

Tip 8: Keep your loved ones close

Going through something like diabetes can often make you feel like you’re alone. But remember that you’re not alone, you always have friends and family to support you. It’s important to surround yourself with the people who support you. They can help you navigate the challenges of diabetes control. 

Tell them how you feel; it will help you get relief from stress. You can also take their help in blood glucose monitoring, medication reminders, physical activities, etc.

Tip 9:Learn about diabetes and stay informed

Someone rightly said that knowledge is power. In the case of diabetes, it can even be a superpower. Always stay up-to-date about the developments in diabetes by attending sessions, reading books, reading online, and staying connected with the community. More knowledge about what this condition is doing to your body will help you better deal with it. 

Tip 10: Celebrate every little win 

Every little win counts. Although you may still be away from your goal, it doesn’t mean you don’t recognise the small wins. After all, they’re what led you to your goal in the first place. It could be anything, a fitness goal, a blood sugar target, or simply adhering to your diet. Appreciate yourself for everything that you do. Every step in the right direction is worth celebrating, no matter how small.

Conclusion

We hope these blood sugar control tips help you navigate your diabetes journey. For more such tips, access to medication reminder tools, personalised diet and exercise coaching, lab tests, and vital monitoring, download TatvaCare’s My Tatva app. You can also find more informational content and tips on diabetes control in our blog section. Remember, these are only tips that can help you get to your goal, not hacks that will magically get your goals accomplished. It is a lot of work, but we believe you can do it. Never let anyonetell you otherwise. You’re tougher than you know. All the best for your diabetes control journey! You can check your Diabetes Risk score and claim Free Consultation by filling out our form here. For more information on TatvaCare’s digital healthcare products and services, you can call us on +919974042363 or write to us at support@tatvacare.in. 

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Devina Aswal

MBBS, DDM, FCR, CIC