What Affects Blood Sugar Levels?

Your blood sugar changes depending on what you eat. If you ever find that you are suddenly tired or lacking concentration, your blood sugar may be fluctuating drastically. There are foods that affect your blood sugar positively and help regulate your blood sugar.

Glucose

• Sugar, or blood glucose (BG), comes from the carbohydrates you consume. It is a source of energy that your brain, muscles, digestive system and other internal glands depend on to function efficiently.

Levels

• A fasting blood sugar level between 70 and 99 mg/dL is normal. A higher reading may suggests diabetes.

Glycemic index

• The measure of how a food affects your blood glucose is called the glycemic index (GI). Foods with a high GI elevate your blood sugar quickly. Foods with a low GI are typically healthier, and they provide a more sustained supply of energy.

Foods

• Some foods with low GI include vegetables, most fruits, dairy and beans. Some foods with a high GI are potatoes, crackers, dates, watermelons and some cereals.

Balancing

• What you eat and drink affects your blood glucose. If you maintain a proper and healthy diet, you should be able to avoid drastic blood sugar fluctuations. High-fiber foods regulate blood sugar as they slow down the digestive process to maintain a sustained glucose supply.