Hyperglycemia Diet

Hyperglycemia is a condition more evident in diabetic patients and is commonly known as high blood sugar. Amongst the many causes of diabetes, one of the major cause is the inclusion of high amounts of carbohydrates in the diet and also a high calorie diet. The other major causes of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, includes skipping insulin or oral glucose-lowering medicine, an infection or an underlying illness, increase in high stress levels and no exercise. Hyperglycemia diet is a type of diabetic diet that is designed for diabetic patients with hyperglycemia, to lower the sugar levels in order to bring them to normal and permissible levels. The diet is highly recommended, as following this diet prevents high blood sugar from damaging blood vessels, nerves and organs. Are you wondering how can a diet be so effective in preventing all these major problems? The special features of this diet that distinguishes it from the other diets are that they are low in sugar as you might have guessed but, besides being low in sugar, it is also low in carbohydrates, promotes hydration in the body, and requires taking frequent small portions of food instead of three big standard meals of the day.

Foods to Include in a Hyperglycemia Diet

Given below is the list of foods which should be a part of the diabetic diet. It also contains food items that should either be completely avoided or consumed in moderation in order to balance a perfect diet.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates break down into glucose in the body increasing the sugar levels. Being the major culprits of high blood sugar, carbohydrates should have a moderate contribution in the diet. Carbohydrates can be classified into two types, simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates such as table sugar and products made using table sugar such as cookies, soft drinks and cakes should be completely avoided, as they are easily digestible and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates takes a longer time to digest and break down in the intestine which prevents the blood sugar levels to abnormal levels and helps to keep the levels consistent. Grains, potatoes and pastas fall into the category of complex carbohydrates and can be included in the diet in moderation. As far as the sugar is concerned, one must look for sweeteners or sugar substitutes such as sorbitol and saccharin that could be replaced for table sugar.

Proteins
As carbohydrates, proteins are also energy providers and besides being a source of energy, proteins are also an essential source of amino acids that are required for growth and good health. Although most food proteins can be converted into glucose, the conversion takes longer, similar to complex carbohydrates. This implies that food containing proteins, such as lean meat (chicken, fish, turkey), nuts and seeds and plant proteins such as legumes and beans should be part of the diet to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

High-Fiber
Natural sources of fiber such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains slows down the process of digestion and the absorption of glucose in the blood and therefore, high-fiber foods are something that should definitely be a part of diet for hyperglycemia. It is advised to consume naturally grown raw vegetables and fresh fruits which means that products at the store should be checked for any added preservatives or chemicals as may be in cases of canned fruit juices and other canned foods. Avoiding canned foods from the store completely, would negate the chances of consuming any possible chemicals or food additives.

Meal Size and Frequency of Meals
Managing portion of the meals and the size of the meal play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of a hyperglycemia diet. To start with, one must have three full meals in a day, remember the meals should be well-balanced. In between the meals include small snacks to be eaten in mid-mornings, afternoon and in the evening. If this meal plan for diabetics does not succeed in providing expected benefits then, divide the meals into small portions to be eaten in five to six different intervals of the day.

Foods to Avoid and Other Essential Pointers

Besides the above mentioned components, foods to be avoided from the diabetic diet are fatty foods such as whole milk, red meats and cheese should be limited along with a limited intake of alcohol and caffeine. If you have been detected with high blood sugar then, the doctor would surely have recommended a weight that needs to be maintained and the number of calories to be consumed in a day to ensure that the blood sugar levels are normal. It is important to keep a record of number of calories consumed in a day in order to determine if you have been successful in bringing down the high blood sugar levels. Regular exercise and drinking plenty of water also helps enhance the effectiveness of the diet.

Do follow these pointers and you'd see a considerable change in your sugar levels, you'd definitely notice a dip in your high blood sugar levels. Taking an expert advice though is always beneficial and would ensure that you are following the correct regimen.