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What is a High Blood Sugar Diet?

Anna T.
Anna T.

A high blood sugar diet typically consists of foods that are lower in sugar, properly proportioned, and high in fiber. People on a diet such as this are also typically advised to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol they consume. Low glycemic foods may also be recommended. People who are on a high blood sugar diet may suffer from hyperglycemia, which often precedes the onset of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Controlling the blood sugar levels by consuming the proper foods may prevent a person with hyperglycemia from developing diabetes in the future.

Foods low in sugar are important for a high blood sugar diet because increased amounts of sugar normally worsen this condition. One way for a person on this diet to control the amount of sugar she consumes is to try replacing all sugary drinks with water. This may cut out a large portion of her sugar intake for the day if she typically drinks lots of juice, soda, or any other sugary beverage. Eating smaller portions of food may also help a person lower his blood sugar because smaller portions typically equal less sugar. It may also be beneficial for a person with high blood sugar to avoid getting seconds if that is something he normally does.

Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.

High fiber foods are also often recommended on a high blood sugar diet. Foods that have lots of fiber can keep blood sugar levels down by making a person feel fuller. Most people who eat lots of fiber-rich foods do not have many uncontrollable food cravings, which may positively affect blood sugar because food cravings are often for unhealthy, sugary foods. Fat and cholesterol levels might also need to be kept to a minimum on a high blood sugar diet. High fat and cholesterol foods frequently contain lots of sugar, and eating them regularly could lead to other problems, such as heart disease, later in a person's life.

High blood sugar levels may be the result of eating too many carbohydrates or sugar-rich foods.
High blood sugar levels may be the result of eating too many carbohydrates or sugar-rich foods.

People with high blood sugar levels could also benefit from paying attention the glycemic levels in different foods. Most foods that have low glycemic numbers may be able to help keep blood sugar levels down and could also help to control other problems like obesity. Most healthy foods, like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, have a low glycemic index. A person can make an effort to track the glycemic index numbers of all foods they consume in a given day to get an idea of how high his or her blood sugar may be.

Discussion Comments

ddljohn

@simrin-- You can continue eating bread as long as it's whole grain brown bread because that has fiber and a much lower glycemic index than white bread does. The same goes for rice, it's much better to have brown rice which has fiber than white rice.

My rule is that I always prefer the natural and organic alternative if there is one. I also try to avoid anything with yeast because yeast is bad for diabetics. If you want to reduce blood sugar levels, try to have flat brown bread (like the whole wheat pita bread) instead of raised breads which contain yeast.

As for potatoes, a doctor once told me to have small amounts if I really want to. He also said that it's better to have it a day after cooking or boiling. I'm not quite sure why but I think the sugars in potatoes do not affect blood sugar so much when it waits one day. So you can cook it, put it in the fridge, and have it the next day.

SteamLouis

@feruze-- I didn't know that calcium has that affect on blood sugar. Thanks for sharing, I'm definitely going to incorporate that into my diet.

I don't have diabetes yet but I do have hyperglycemia. My sister is my doctor and she wants me to follow a strict diet to lower blood sugar and keep it in control so that I can delay being a diabetic.

It's really hard! I have a sweet tooth and I love carbs so it's really hard for me to do this diet. Do you have any tips for me? Is there a way I can continue eating foods like bread and potatoes?

bear78

I have type 2 diabetes which I take medication for. But I also have to follow a high blood sugar diet at all times.

The article pretty much covered it all. I have to eat foods rich in fiber and low in glycemic index. I avoid eating bread, white rice, potatoes and corn because these have a high glycemic index and raise my blood sugar.

I don't have consume any sugar but I do eat two pieces of fruit a day. My doctor said that this is fine as long as I have it with a small glass of milk or a cup of plain yogurt. Apparently calcium slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. So even though fruit is high in sugar, it won't raise my blood sugar rapidly if I have some calcium with it.

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    • Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
      By: Dmitry Lobanov
      Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
    • High blood sugar levels may be the result of eating too many carbohydrates or sugar-rich foods.
      By: Stocksnapper
      High blood sugar levels may be the result of eating too many carbohydrates or sugar-rich foods.