How to Devise a Blood Sugar Management Plan

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Trying to manage diabetes without a blood sugar management plan is like attempting to build a house without a blueprint. Just like building a house requires creating a detailed plan and takes into account everything from the basic design principles to the materials used to the labor, managing diabetes requires a lot more than just taking medicine.

Why Do You Need a Blood Sugar Management Plan?

Before we dive into what makes an effective blood sugar management plan, let’s first try to understand why you need it.

Since diabetes is a disease that affects your blood, it can affect almost every part of your body. If left ignored, it can cause severe health complications and damage to your body’s vital organs. Increased susceptibility to infections, kidney failure, leg and feet amputations, gradual loss of sight, and heart disease are some of the potential health issues that diabetic patients can experience, over time, due to uncontrolled blood sugar.

As highlighted in the Diabetes Report Card, 2017, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who have been living with diabetes for a long time and/or whose blood sugar levels are not well managed, are more likely to experience diabetes-related health complications. These problems are typically more severe among such patients.

All the potential health risks make it important for diabetic patients to keep their blood sugar levels under control as it can help delay the development and slow down the progression of severe health problems.

Since blood glucose levels can be affected by a number of factors, keeping it within a healthy range requires constant attention and a holistic approach.

What Is A Comprehensive Blood Sugar Management Plan And How To Devise One?

A comprehensive or effective blood sugar management plan is one that takes into account all the factors that can affect your sugar levels. Here are all the key factors that you need to consider to devise a diabetes management plan for yourself:

· Medications

The medications prescribed by your doctor should be your first line of defense against increased or decreased blood sugar levels.

When it comes to anti-diabetes medications, it is critical that you strictly follow your doctor’s recommendations. Do not make any changes in your medication dosage, schedule, or administration on your own as sometimes, even a small change can significantly affect your blood glucose level.

· Food

The food we eat has a drastic impact on our health, which is why healthy eating is one of the most important cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle.

While it is significant for everyone to know how different foods affect the human body and health, it becomes all the more important when you have diabetes.

To gain adequate control over your blood sugar level, you not only need to be careful about what foods you eat but also about how much and when you eat. Here are some key tips to make your meals healthier to ensure they do not cause blood sugar spikes:

✓ Understand the Concept of Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is a number given to different foods on the basis of how quickly or slowly they get digested and converted into glucose in the body. Known as the glycemic index score, or the GI score, the number is primarily given on the basis of the amount of carbohydrates present in a particular food; it is the carbs that get converted into glucose.

Foods that have high GI scores, like desserts, sugary drinks, and processed foods, are rapidly metabolized into glucose. Since diabetic patients do not have enough insulin or are insulin-resistant, their bodies are unable to process the increased glucose levels effectively, causing blood sugar spikes.

✓ Eat a Balanced Diet

While carbs have a direct impact on your blood glucose, this doesn’t mean you should completely remove them from your diet. Instead, try to make your meals balanced in terms of nutrition. Incorporate small portions of different food groups and understand the difference between good and bad food choices.

For example, when choosing carbs, stay away from processed foods or foods that contain added sugar. Opt for natural sources of carbs instead, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Not only are the carbohydrates present in them ‘complex’, which means the body takes longer to breakdown and metabolize them but they also offer several other beneficial nutrients, such as fiber which helps keep the blood glucose levels more stable.

· Physical Activity

Since exercise causes your muscles to use glucose for energy, it helps regulate the use of insulin in the body. Therefore, physical activity is an important part of a comprehensive diabetes management plan.

In general, half an hour of physical activity every day or on most days of the week is enough for most adult diabetic patients to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range. But, make sure to consult your doctor to determine the right type and time of workout for yourself.

· Monitor Your Blood Sugar

Since the blood glucose level can get affected by a variety of factors, diabetes patients are recommended to check their blood sugar regularly. While the exact monitoring schedule is determined by a doctor, all diabetes patients should check their blood sugar at least once a day. However, some people may be advised to check it more frequently, such as twice a day or before and after meals and exercise.

· Consider Your Overall Health and Other Lifestyle Factors

The production of stress-related hormones in the body, when you are sick, can affect your blood glucose level and so do certain medicines that you may take for an illness. Similarly, factors like consumption of alcohol, stress, and hormonal fluctuations in women during menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy impact the levels of glucose in the blood.

Coordinate Your Medications and Lifestyle

Since medications are an essential part of a blood sugar management plan for most patients, it is critical that you adjust other factors like your meals and physical activity, according to your medications.

This is essential to prevent the risk of sudden changes in your blood sugar levels. For example, medications for hyperglycemia are meant to lower your blood glucose levels. Taking them without food or too little food will put you at the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Similarly, getting engaged in highly intense exercises without balancing your nutrition intake accordingly or keeping yourself hydrated can also severely impact your blood sugar. Therefore, it is important to consider all the factors to create a well-balanced management plan. Click here to read 7 lifestyle changes that can help with blood sugar management.

While all the information discussed above can help you to devise a blood sugar management plan for yourself or for a loved one, it is recommended to consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or lifestyle. For more tips on blood sugar management, download our free eBook today by clicking here!