All diabetics experience high blood sugar at some point, says the American Diabetes Association. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can be caused by overeating, eating too much sugar or simple carbohydrates, not taking enough insulin or other diabetes medication, not being as active as you normally are, or illness, infection and stress. If your high blood sugar is diet-related, eating fewer carbohydrates and more protein and fat should help stabilize glucose levels.
Dangers of Chronic Hyperglycemia
Many serious health problems are associated with chronic high blood sugar. Excess glucose circulating in your bloodstream can damage and weaken smaller blood vessels. These damaged capillaries then rupture, and cut off blood flow to vital organs, tissues and nerves. Blindness, nerve damage and kidney and heart disease are associated with diabetes because of the number of smaller blood vessels that feed those organs. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure.
Preventing High Blood Sugar
To prevent high blood sugar, you need to address the underlying cause. If your hyperglycemia is triggered by emotional trauma, stress, illness or infection, you'll need to fix those first. Dietary changes can help regulate production of glucose and insulin, and regular exercise will help use excess glucose. The American Diabetes Association suggests exercising to lower high glucose levels -- but only if glucose is not above 240 mg/dL and there are no ketones present in your urine.
Carbohydrates
There are three types of carbohydrates -- sugar, starch and fiber. Sugar and starch can have a dramatic effect on your blood sugar level, as they digest very quickly and are easily converted to glucose. Fiber is an indigestible plant material that slows glucose production and can help control blood sugar. Harvard's Joslin Diabetes Center notes that people with diabetes "who ate 50 grams of fiber a day --- particularly soluble fiber --- were able to control their blood glucose better than those who ate far less." High-fiber carbohydrates tend to be nutrient-dense, such as vegetables, whole grains, beans and fruit. Choose these complex carbohydrates when following a low-carb diet to prevent hyperglycemia.
Protein
Protein also slows digestion, and can help produce a slow and steady stream of glucose, rather than the flood of blood sugar caused by eating too much sugar. However, a high-protein diet can be problematic for a diabetic. Protein consumption strains the kidneys, and because chronic hyperglycemia can cause kidney damage, you may need to limit protein consumption to slow the progression of kidney disease. Also, choose your protein sources carefully -- high-fat animal proteins can contain too much saturated fat. Saturated fat is associated with elevated cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease.
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