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Is your blood sugar dangerously high? “It might be difficult for someone who has diabetes to keep a consistent blood sugar levels,” explains Janet Zappe, RN. “What you eat, how active you are, the drugs you take, whether you’re sick or not, and even fluid intake may all have an impact on your blood glucose levels.” Here are the top five blunders that can raise your blood sugar according on experts.
1 — An Unhealthy Diet
A nutritious, balanced diet is a must to keep blood sugar levels in check. “Your diet is your medicine if you have diabetes,” according to Andrea Harris and Sue Cotey, RNs. “As diabetes educators, we try to help patients to better understand which food and drink choices are the best to avoid. Foods that are high in fat, carbohydrates, and salt raise your risk of high blood pressure levels, weight gain, high cholesterol, uncontrolled sugar, and heart disease.”
2 — Are You Regularly Testing Your Blood?
If you’ve ever been diagnosed with elevated or low blood sugar levels, it’s critical to keep track of your numbers and modify as needed. “Your doctor will teach you how and when you should check your blood glucose levels,” says Amy Hess-Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-ADM, CDCES. “People on insulin who have been having a hard time keeping their blood glucose levels in check should monitor their readings often.”
3 — You Don’t Exercise
Insulin resistance can develop as a result of inactivity, according to doctors. “Exercise will make you stronger and healthier,” explains endocrinologist Douglas Zlock, MD. “Healthy behaviors may even delay the development of diabetes if they don’t prevent it.”
4 — You Have Too Much Belly Fat
According to doctors, excess abdominal fat is connected to type 2 diabetes. “Any one who has a inflammatory diet and carries extra body fat throughout their core organs is at higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes,” explains Elena Christofides, MD, an endocrinologist and diabetes expert. “Obesity and excessive weight are risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, but how your body handles food can also be a sign of risk.”
5 — Sleep Issues
Dr. Mauricio Reinoso states that poor quality sleep greatly raises your chances of getting type 2 diabetes. He says, “It may not seem like a big deal to lose some hours of sleep every night, but it takes a toll on your hormone levels. When you’re constantly missing out on rest, your body produces more stress hormones. This might make it hard to stay awake, but it also interferes with insulin’s performance.”
