Not just sugar: five other factors that may be hindering diabetes control

Living with diabetes can be challenging. You may be concerned about taking your medications on time, monitoring your blood sugar levels, and making sure you are eating the right types of foods. Some foods may not be suitable for you as they can cause a sudden rise in your blood sugar levels. These include carbohydrate-rich foods and drinks, processed meats, fried foods, and the deadliest of all: sugar. While it is helpful to eliminate these foods from your diet, some people still have difficulty controlling them. diabetes. So where are you wrong? Are you missing something? Well, it’s not just about the type of food you eat, but also how you eat it, along with other lifestyle factors. If you can’t control your diabetes, this is where you may be going wrong, as nutritionist Shweta J Panchal shares.
Also read: 5 lunchtime mistakes that diabetics should avoid for better diabetes control

5 factors other than sugar that make diabetes difficult to control:

1. You have replaced sugar with brown sugar or honey

Sugar is a big no-no in a diabetic diet. It is something you should consume only in moderation, and even then, only from time to time. But replace sugar with jaggery or honey won’t help. Let’s not forget that jaggery and honey also contain sugar, and consuming too much of them can make it difficult to control diabetes. According to Shweta, one should practice portion control while eating both.

2. You are eating a lot of simple carbohydrates.

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

3. Your meals don’t have enough protein

the amount of protein What you consume also plays a very important role in diabetes control. If you only eat roti and sabzi in your meals, then it’s time to change that. Proteins are slowly broken down into glucose, ensuring that blood sugar levels do not fluctuate. Shweta says, “It is important to include protein in all meals throughout the day.”

4. You don’t start your meal with fiber

According to the nutritionist, you should always start your meal with a source of fiber. Opt for a delicious salad or a hearty soup. This works in your favor, since fiber helps control blood sugar. When you eat something after consuming a high-fiber food, your sugar will be in control. On the other hand, skipping fiber can cause a rapid rise and fall in blood sugar levels.

5. You are not physically active

Another reason you may not be able to control your diabetes is because you are physically inactive. You may be following all dietary guidelines, but not physically active. This can make it difficult for your body to control blood sugar levels and could be the reason why your sugar is high. Shweta says, “Make sure you incorporate some form of physical activity into your daily routine as this will help improve insulin sensitivity.“
Also read: Worried about early onset diabetes? Try These 3 Simple Diet Strategies

Watch the full video below:

Now that you know that sugar is not the only culprit behind diabetes, we hope you can control it more effectively.