According to the CDC, 37 million Americans suffer from diabetes, with 95 percent suffering from type 2. Knowing how to properly manage blood sugar is essential as type 2 diabetes causes an insulin resistance within the body. Spiked blood sugar can cause digestion issues and heighten the risk of heart disease, while low blood sugar can mean that our cells aren’t getting enough fuel to function properly and our body doesn’t work to the best of its ability. As it may turn out, intermittent fasting may be a way to improve blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes, Medical News Today reports.
Managing Blood Sugar
Intermittent fasting is an old dieting technique where people only eat during a specific window of time during each day. The idea is that when people are frequently eating, their body uses the calories they take in as fuel, but if you restrict your calorie intake you burn fat as fuel instead. Intermittent fasting can be beneficial for dieting, but it can be dangerous if take too far. We need to have a consistent diet to maintain a proper, healthy amount of energy, regardless of the amount of time we allow ourselves to eat.
For individuals with type 2 diabetes, they need to ensure that they eat when their blood sugar starts to deplete. Intermittent fasting could be helpful because it can help us manage our weight, which in turn helps us with managing blood sugar. Finding a healthy, balanced eating schedule can help us but it will take practice.
The Right Food for the Job
Whether we intermittent fast or not, the important thing is that we maintain a healthy diet. Vegetables and foods rich in protein, minerals, and fibers will be perfect to factor into any diet to better manage blood sugar. Top vegetables, as according to Eatthis.com include:
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Assorted Lettuce
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
All of these vegetables are excellent sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars that can provide a healthy benefit to the body.
For more tips on better dieting and fitness make sure to follow the Council for Retirement Security health.