1. Test Your Blood Sugar Levels Regularly
Self-test kits have been available for years, and are almost universally used by those who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels. FreeStyle, Ascensia, Easy Check, SureStep and One Touch are all manufacturers of blood sugar monitors that can be used several times per day as required. They range in price from the inexpensive to the very expensive. In addition, some have added features such as testing timers and alarms that are great for helping those new to blood sugar management stay on top of their condition.
2. Reduce Your Intake of Carbs
Foods high in carbs such as white bread and potatoes are typically associated with elevated levels of blood sugar. If you reduce your intake of carbs you will in turn reduce your glucose levels. By the same measure, if you're finding your blood sugar levels to be below normal, eating more carbs can help restore nominal levels. Eating fruit introduces more sugar into your blood, but it's important to talk to your doctor to determine what quantities of fruit or high-sugar foods you should eat for regulation.
3. Moderate Your Intake of Alcohol and Fruit Juices
Fruit juices such as orange juice or cranberry juice have a lot of natural sugar. Some manufacturers, particularly those that use only 10 percent natural juice, introduce a lot of additional sugar into the drink in the form of fructose or even high fructose corn syrup. For those trying to manage their glucose and blood sugar levels, that can be a blessing or a curse. Much like eating the right fruits, drinking the right fruit juices at the right time can help manage your blood sugar. An eight-ounce glass of orange juice has roughly 26 grams of carbs, 22 of which are pure sugar, while an artificial juice can have over 30 grams of carbs and 29 grams of added sugar. Alcohol quickly metabolizes into sugar, so even a glass of beer can have a marked impact on your blood sugar level, not to mention your liver. Heavy drinking is particularly risky, but recent studies have shown that those with type 2 diabetes who drink about 150 millileters of wine reduced their blood sugar by approximately 20 mg/mL. It doesn't prevent the disease, but can be a useful tool for those who manage their blood sugar regularly. A glass of red wine has also been shown to have some preventative effects on heart disease as well.
