If you are looking to lower your A1C levels, incorporating certain foods into your diet can be beneficial. One of the key components of managing diabetes is controlling blood sugar levels, and what you eat plays a crucial role in this. By making smart food choices, you can help regulate your A1C levels and improve your overall health.
EAG can be determined by relating the values of A1C levels with numbers. Decreasing or lowering consumption could be mandatory based on patient requirements, exercising patterns, and therapy aims.
I will get back to what a “normal A1c level” is for people living with diabetes below. Making diet and lifestyle changes is a process that often takes people time to achieve. However, more research is needed to determine how whole pumpkins may benefit blood sugar. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
Foods High in Fiber
Eating foods high in fiber can help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are excellent sources of fiber. Incorporating these foods into your meals can help slow down the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, leading to more stable blood sugar levels over time.
However, when you have type 2 diabetes, which makes up 90–95% of diabetes cases, your body cannot efficiently remove glucose from your bloodstream. Certain foods and drinks can raise blood glucose and insulin levels and promote inflammation. These effects can increase your risk of prediabetes and diabetes. It is best to avoid sweetened or flavored yogurts, which often contain more sugar than is desirable for a person who is looking to lower their blood sugar levels. Greek-style yogurt and unsweetened yogurt can be healthy alternatives. The authors of a 2021 meta-analysis of 103 trials looked at how beta-glucan affects blood sugar levels after a meal.
Lean Protein Sources
This is because you need to track your blood sugar and how your diet affects it. This article talks about the importance of food choices in diabetes management. It also provides a list of 10 foods that won’t spike blood sugar and adds how you can incorporate them into your diet. A dietitian may recommend you choose specific foods to help plan meals and snacks.
This will lower their A1C percentage and reduce the likelihood of potential health problems. Tips for lowering A1C levels include dietary choices and exercise, as well as monitoring blood glucose regularly and following the treatment plan agreed with a doctor. Some medications primarily affect your blood sugars after a meal, which are also called postprandial blood sugars. These medications include sitagliptin (Januvia), repaglinide (Prandin), and others. While they don’t significantly improve fasting glucose values, they still help lower your A1C level because of the decrease in post-meal glucose spikes. Diabetes is a serious, chronic condition that can lead to many complications.
Water is your best beverage bet, and you can even infuse it with fruits and herbs to jazz it up a little. Other good substitutes include unsweetened tea (hot or iced), coffee and sparkling water, so long as they don’t include added sugar. Fish and other animal proteins do not typically have GI scores because they do not contain carbohydrates. As with other foods in this article, it is best to eat nuts that are as whole and as unprocessed as possible. Nuts with coatings or flavorings have higher GI scores than plain nuts.
This protein is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. You can choose whatever type of exercise you prefer as long as it’s a challenging workout. Both aerobic exercise and resistance (weight) training lower A1c levels if they’re part of a regular routine.
Protein is an essential nutrient that can help with blood sugar management. Opt for lean protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, and tofu. These foods can help you feel full and satisfied while also preventing spikes in blood sugar levels. Including protein in each meal can help balance out your blood sugar throughout the day.
Healthy Fats
Incorporating healthy fats into your diet can also help with managing your A1C levels. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, can help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. Additionally, avocados, olive oil, and nuts are good sources of monounsaturated fats that can help with blood sugar control.
Low-Glycemic Index Foods
Choosing foods with a low glycemic index can help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. Foods like sweet potatoes, quinoa, and barley are examples of low-glycemic index foods that can help regulate blood sugar. By focusing on these types of foods, you can better manage your A1C levels and improve your overall health.
