My blood sugar level is up even though I keep a consistent diet and exercise schedule. What could be the cause?Answer From Stacy M. Loneman, R.N., CDCESMany factors can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in people with diabetes. Factors include: Show
Physical or emotional stress triggers the release of hormones that can cause high blood sugar levels. Menstrual periods and menopause also cause changes in the hormones that affect blood sugar levels. Regular blood sugar testing can uncover patterns. This can help you and your health care team control your diabetes. If you experience persistent hyperglycemia, talk with your team about adjusting your diabetes treatment. When you eat rice, bread, or any other typical food high in carbohydrates, it is digested by the stomach and small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood as glucose. Figure 1 shows how it is absorbed into the body. Figure 1: Absorption of glucose
When glucose enters the bloodstream, insulin facilitates its uptake into the body's cells. When an excess of glucose is ingested, insulin over secretion occurs. Insulin increases the biosynthesis of fat and suppresses its breakdown. Thus, it becomes easier for fat to accumulate in body tissues. Blood sugar level will not drop if the sugar in the blood is not properly processed due to, for example, too little insulin being secreted, or resistance to the action of insulin. If blood sugar levels have not decreased several hours after eating on a regular basis, this indicates a susceptibility to diabetes. To avoid this and stay healthy, we should eat types of foods that will not cause a sudden, extreme rise in blood sugar levels. BMI = weight (kg) ÷height (m)2BMI is a measure of body fat based on your weight in relation to your height. BMI less than 18.5 = low body weight, BMI 18.5 to 25 = ordinary body weight, BMI 25 or more = obese. What is a healthy blood sugar level
Blood sugar level rises every time you eatYour blood sugar level rises immediately after eating a meal or snack (Figure 2). In a healthy person, insulin then starts working, and the blood sugar level returns to the pre-meal level 2 hours after eating. What foods do not raise blood sugar level much?High calorie foods may or may not cause the blood sugar level to riseMany people think that all high-calorie foods raise blood sugar level, but this is not always the case. In general, foods that cause blood sugar level to rise the most are those that are high in carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into energy, such as rice, bread, fruits and sugar. Food containing three major nutrientsCarbohydrates Carbohydrates do raise blood sugar levels quickly. However, recent studies have shown that even amongst foods that have the same amount of carbohydrates, there are two categories: those that cause a sudden rise in blood sugar levels and those that cause a more moderate rise, depending on the amount of dietary fiber contained. It is important to know which foods are low GI and which are high GI.The University of Sydney has defined foods with a GI value of over 70 as "high GI foods," foods with a GI value of between 56 and 69 as "mid-range GI foods," and foods with a GI value of 55 or under as "low GI foods", when using glucose as the reference food (where glucose = 100). Because high GI foods cause a sudden spike in the blood sugar level, large amounts of insulin are secreted in order to process the sugar in the blood, causing a spike in insulin secretion to handle the sugar. When low GI foods are eaten, the sugar is gradually absorbed into the body so the blood sugar level rises gradually. Thus, an appropriate amount of insulin is secreted and sugar is promptly taken up by the tissues. Thus, knowing which foods are low GI foods (causing moderate amounts of sugar to be absorbed) is very important to living a healthy life. CategoryFoodGIGrainBarley22Boiled rolled barley46Boiled soybeans15Glutinous rice87Croissant67Bagel69Rye bread50White bread71Burger bun61English muffin77Baguette57VegetablesBoiled carrot33Potato66Boiled potato49Fried potato70Mashed potatoes83Boiled sweet potato44FruitsGrapefruit25Prune29Dried apricot30Apricot34Apple40Plum24Strawberry40Orange40Peach28Marmalade40Grapes43Mango51Blueberry53Kiwi fruit58Dried fig61Banana47Cherry63Raisins64Pineapple66Watermelon72BeansDried peas (boiled)22Dried red peas (boiled)29White kidney beans (boiled)31Quail beans (steamed)33Chick peas (boiled)33Baked beans (canned)40Dairy ProductsSkimmed milk32Milk34Greek yoghurt with honey36Condensed milk61SnacksBlueberry muffin59Bran muffin60Pancake66Doughnut75Scone92Shortbread64Peanuts13Popcorn55Chocolate49Processed FoodLasagne28Salmon sushi48Spaghetti bolognaise52Hamburger66Cheese pizza60Minestrone48Tomato Soup52Honey58 |