High blood sugar occurs in type-1 and type-2 diabetics, explains ABCNews. With type-1 diabetics, the pancreas does not function properly and release insulin so that sufferers are dependent on regular insulin injections in order to sustain life. Type-2 diabetics still produce insulin, but their bodies are unable to use the insulin effectively. Type-2 diabetics can often control their blood sugar levels through diet and exercise. Both types of diabetics can have an increased risk of heart disease and high cholesterol, simply because their bodies are not functioning properly. Eating foods high in sugar or saturated fats can increase this risk, thus it is important for those that experience high blood sugar or high cholesterol to follow healthy eating plans.
Always consult with your physician before modifying your diet, particularly if you are suffering from diabetes.
The Zone Diet
The Zone Diet is an effective way to eat for anyone that experiences high blood sugar and high cholesterol. Zonedietinfo.com reports that the diet is designed to balance insulin and glucagon production, which when done successfully keeps sugar levels in check, lowers cholesterol and helps you to lose extra body fat. The Zone Diet was created by Dr. Barry Sears, Ph.D.. Sears believes that balanced meals consisting of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat are the key to a healthy lifestyle that lowers risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers and diabetes. Carbohydrates, more than any other food group, can lead to high blood sugar levels, and as such they are restricted to whole-grains, fruits and vegetables on the Zone Diet.
The South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet is designed to rid your body and eating plan of sugar, white flour, saturated fat and trans fats. These are also the foods that can result in high blood sugar and high cholesterol. Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Florida-based cardiologist, designed the South Beach Diet. Dietsinreview.com reports that Agatston developed the diet in order to help his patients who were suffering from medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Agatston believes that a healthy eating plan should consist of lean proteins, whole grains, healthy poly- and monounsaturated fats, and fruits and vegetables. The South Beach Diet consists of three phases; a two-week induction phase where carbohydrates are limited, phase two where healthy carbohydrates are slowly reintroduced and phase three, which is the maintenance portion of the program.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is based on the eating habits familiar to countries on the Mediterranean Sea. The Mayo Clinic reports that the diet favors eating foods that naturally lower your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fresh fish, legumes, nuts and whole-grains. Olive oil, a healthy monounsaturated fat known for lowering cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, is a staple on the Mediterranean Diet; The lack of sugars and white flour will help to keep blood sugar levels in check. There are no phases to the Mediterranean Diet, as it is designed to be a healthy eating plan for life.
