Blood sugar control should be your main goal if you are a diabetic or a pre-diabetic. Dr. Bernstein’s book Diabetes Solution is my favorite resource. And here is what he said:
“You are the only person who can be responsible for normalizing your blood sugar.”
– Richard K. Bernstein, MD
It’s a good idea to check your blood sugar frequently with a glucose meter. This will help you know for sure whether or not you are achieving your blood sugar goal. Here is the brand of glucose meter that I recommend because of its accuracy.
5 dietary modifications to improve blood sugar control
- Avoid easy-to-digest carbs and foods made with them like grains (wheat, rice, rye, corn, barley etc.), potatoes, sweet potatoes.
- Eat “above the ground” vegetables.
- Limit fruits to 1 a day.
- Avoid all sweetened drinks – even 100% natural juices with no sugar added. Drink water, herbal teas, or sparkling water instead.
- Eliminate refined and most artificial sugars. Check the ingredient list of all packaged foods you are about to buy. Liquid Stevia is OK.
There is no guaranty that these steps would bring your blood sugar under control but that’s a definitely a good start. There are many factors that contribute to your metabolic health. In addition to your weight timing of meals is important, as well as physical activity, quality of sleep, inflammation and micronutrient deficiencies, to name a few key factors.
If after a month or two your blood sugar readings are still high, you might choose to contact me for a more individualized approach and a ton of additional information.
Many of my clients also find that a group workshop like The Restart Program can be a very effective tool to gain control and manage sugar and carbohydrate cravings. A group dynamic helps many people stay motivated and to have more fun at the same time!