Managing Diabetes Through Diet: Strategies for Stable Blood Sugar

Diabetes has become an increasingly common health issue, affecting millions of individuals and families each year. Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is preventable with proper diet and healthy lifestyle choices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with proven, achievable lifestyle changes – such as losing a small amount of weight and getting more physically active – even if you’re at high risk.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers diabetic-friendly meal plans to assist people in managing diabetes or reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease, and several types have been identified. Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not create enough insulin, leading to a dangerous increase in blood sugar levels if left untreated. Individuals with type one diabetes must take insulin medication for life. Type 2 diabetes is often preventable and may be eliminated or controlled using dietary and lifestyle changes. Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar during pregnancy. The good news is that diet can positively impact all three types of the disease.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers diabetic-friendly meals and nutritional education to help people successfully manage their condition. Individuals diagnosed with diabetes benefit from learning about the following:

• Blood sugar regulation and control
• The principles of a diabetic-friendly diet
• Practical tips for regulating blood sugar

Managing Diabetes as a Chronic Condition

Although not everyone likes this fact, diabetes is a chronic condition and must be managed consistently over time to reduce the risk of severe symptoms, side effects, or complications. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), “Diabetes raises the risk for damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart . . . Taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes may lower your risk of developing diabetes health problems.”

People receiving tailored home-delivered meals are less likely to experience severe health issues related to their condition. A consistent, diabetic-friendly diet makes it easier to balance their blood sugar levels and remain well.

The Importance of Managing Diabetes Through Diet

As we’ve mentioned, most people with diabetes manage their condition through diet and healthy lifestyle changes. These changes can include staying active and remaining hydrated. Diabetes impacts the body’s ability to regulate energy, making it essential for people with highly active lifestyles to use dietary measures to boost energy and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

People with diabetes should collaborate with their healthcare providers to determine what factors may influence their diet and what changes they need to make to manage their blood sugar better. Home-delivered meals may make it easier for some people to follow dietary guidelines provided by medical professionals.

Controlling Blood Sugar

People with diabetes must monitor and control their blood sugar levels every day to stay healthy. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels may cause many potential health issues and could even be fatal in some circumstances. Some of the potential side effects of unmanaged diabetes include:

• Diabetic coma
• Unconsciousness
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Accident, illness, or injury
• Nerve damage
• Heart attack or stroke
• Kidney damage

Fortunately, self-managing blood sugar reduces the risk of these severe symptoms and side effects. Diet, medications, and lifestyle changes help people to gain control over their blood sugar levels.

Practical Advice for Managing Diabetes

Everyone manages diabetes differently. The symptoms of diabetes exist along a spectrum, and no two people have precisely the same experience. That’s why managing diabetes usually requires tailored treatment plans, including individualized meal planning.

Practical ways that people can manage their diabetes more effectively include:

• Limiting unhealthy foods and drinks
• Staying physically active
• Regularly testing blood sugar
• Managing medications
• Attending regular physical check-ups
• Reducing stress using mindfulness and other techniques
• Practicing daily self-care

Individuals also benefit from attending therapy, enlisting social support, finding self-help groups, or using other resources to address emotional distress caused by the effects of diabetes.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition Makes Managing Diabetes Easier

People with diabetes have to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels, physical health, and diet. Home-delivered meals make this process easier by helping people plan meals and monitor their dietary needs. Diabetes can have a profound effect on most areas of a person’s life. Better managing the condition means it can have less of an impact on a person’s day-to-day experiences.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition supports people with diabetes by providing diabetic-friendly meals, medically tailored meals (MTMs), and nutritional education. In addition, clients can receive information on other community-based health resources available in their area. Clients with specific health issues like diabetes can learn more about their condition by speaking with a registered dietitian (RD) or other medical professional.

Medically Tailored Meals

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers MTMs to help people manage their health conditions more effectively. Diabetes requires a consistent and balanced diet to reduce the risk of side effects or severe symptoms. MTMs are delivered once a week and help people better monitor and control their blood sugar levels. Replacing highly processed foods with nutritionally enriched meals increases overall health and wellness while assisting people in managing diabetes more effectively.

If you have diabetes, you can stabilize your blood sugar by eating a diabetic-friendly diet and following the instructions given by your care provider. Everyone has different factors impacting their health and blood sugar levels. Home-delivered tailored meals ensure you receive the nutrients needed to manage your blood sugar levels and improve your overall health. Many individualized strategies can be used to help you reduce your risk of side effects and severe symptoms related to type 1 and 2 diabetes. LifeSpring Home Nutrition can also collaborate with your care providers to ensure you can access medically tailored meal (MTM) plans. To learn more about our services and how to receive home-delivered meals, call us today at (800) 798-5767.