Hyperglycemia is the medical term for an elevated blood glucose level. An increase in blood glucose occurs when the body does not have access to sufficient amounts of insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin. If left unchecked, hyperglycemia can cause major complications for people with diabetes, including nerve, kidney and heart damage. Hyperglycemia can be managed by controlling blood sugar levels through diet and exercise.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Diets that contain excess calories and fat can cause an increase in blood glucose levels. A healthy diet for controlling blood sugar is the medical nutrition therapy for diabetes diet, or MNT diet. Regular mealtimes and a variety of nutritious foods in moderate amounts are the foundation of this diet. The diet is low in fat and calories and places a heavy emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The MNT diet can also assist in weight loss, which can make managing blood glucose levels easier.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
Certain foods can help regulate blood glucose levels and prevent spikes in blood sugar. Healthy carbohydrates, like the sugars and starches found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, are broken down into blood glucose during the digestive process. These foods also tend to be high in dietary fiber. Foods rich in fiber can slow the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, preventing a spike in sugar levels. Fiber-rich foods also have the added benefit of reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Proteins and Fats
The MNT diet encourages eating low-fat proteins and healthy unsaturated fats, which contain the greatest amount of healthy nutrients with the least amount of calories. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or tuna, are especially good alternatives to high-fat red meats. Cold-water fish are rich in omega- 3 fatty acids and have lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Low-fat protein sources can decrease the amount of fat in a diet and lower the total blood cholesterol levels. The unsaturated fats found in avocados, nuts, and olive oils can also help lower cholesterol and possibly help prevent heart disease.
Food to Avoid
Since diabetes can accelerate the hardening of arteries and the development of clogged arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease, the MNT diet restricts certain foods. Foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as high-fat dairy products and animal proteins, should be limited since they can cause the total level of blood cholesterol to rise. The trans fats found in processed food should be totally avoided, since they can raise the "bad" cholesterol levels and lower the levels of "good" cholesterol. Sodium should also be limited, because it can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Exercise
Exercise can be an effective and healthy way to lower blood glucose levels. Along with diet, it is an important component of a heart-healthy lifestyle and also contributes to weight loss and blood glucose management. But if blood glucose levels are above 240 mg/dl, or milligrams per deciliter, and there are ketones present, exercise may actually cause blood glucose levels to go even higher. This makes it important to monitor blood sugar levels before, during and after any exercise routine.
