Diabetes control – Where do we rank – Diet, Exercise, Medicines

By Dr Hanish Gupta , Endocrinology

Diabetes is an abnormal condition that occurs in the human body where the sugar-levels are higher than usual. A number of simple practices can help in maintaining sugar-levels which in turn helps in controlling diabetes.

1. Diet: A healthy and nutritious diet is the primary and easiest method of diabetic control. It is important to enjoy the food consumed while overeating and poor choice of food should be avoided.

Advisable foods include:

a) Cooked, raw or roasted vegetables: Low carbohydrate vegetables like onions, Brussel sprouts, mushrooms, tomatoes etc. along with dips such as hummus, salsa or different seasonings like garlic, rosemary pepper.

b) Low Calorie drinks: Cold tea and water infused with vegetable and fruits.

c) Greens: Kale, spinach and chard, either roasted in olive oil or in combination with other vegetables.

d) Melons or Berries: Plain or mixed with yogurt.

2. Exercise: Among the many benefits of exercise, one important feature is reduction in glucose levels of the blood. Individuals having type 2 diabetes show an excess of glucose in the blood. This is caused by their body’s inability to create enough insulin to process the glucose, or on the grounds that their body doesn’t utilize insulin appropriately. Muscles are capable of glucose absorption without insulin during exercise, thereby resulting in a reduction in glucose level.

3.Medicine: Depending on various factors, the appropriate medication is prescribed by the doctor.