It seems as if the time that you eat your meals can be a major factor in how you control your diabetes. Research says that the time that you eat during the day can help stabilize glycemic control.
And better glycemic control means better diabetes control.
This doesn’t mean that you need to follow a strict schedule, though. Instead, simply use food in a strategic way to support your body.
Not sure how to transition to a better schedule of (healthy) eating? Here are a few tips:
Breakfast is Brain Fuel
So many people wake up in the morning and rush out the door without taking the time to eat breakfast. This is a pretty big mistake, though. Consider breakfast like brain fuel, providing you with the energy and nutrients needed to get through the day.
Not only that but if you don’t provide energy to your body first thing in the morning, then your body will release glucose into the bloodstream. This causes elevated blood glucose levels, which can be dangerous for diabetics.
Instead, eat a little sustenance within a couple hours of waking. Try to eat from several food groups and stay as natural as possible. Fresh fruit and greek yogurt, for example, is a great choice.
Grazing is Not Always Best
There seems to be an ongoing debate about whether it’s best to eat small meals throughout the day or to eat most of your calories in two or three meals. The truth is that it isn’t that simple.
Someone following a raw vegan diet, for example, would likely benefit from the grazing approach. People that follow this diet are more likely to prepare their own snacks and meals, ensuring that they are plant based and fresh. Grazing throughout the day would provide plentiful calories and not at all be a detriment to their health.
If you cannot prepare your snacks to sustain you throughout the day, though, this may not be a viable option. Reaching for pre-packaged snacks can make your diabetes a lot worse, not better.
The idea is to provide adequate healthy energy to your body without overloading the digestive system. You can determine which eating habit is best for you.
Healthy Snacking is Great
If you’re reaching for a snack bar or packaged snack, then your snacking behavior is not good for your glucose levels. But if you are snacking on fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, then your snacks are aiding your health!
Consider these pointers the next meal (or snack) time. Make realistic choices that support your health and you are one step closer to stable glucose levels.
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US News. URL Link. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
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