Type 2 diabetes can trigger symptoms such as needing to pee more often, feeling thirsty all the time, feeling very tired and blurred vision. Left untreated, it can lead to nerve, kidney and eye damage, and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. One way to manage your blood sugar level is to make changes to your diet. The NHS recommends you eat a wide range of foods, including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, and to keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum.
One food proven to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels is eggs
When it comes to the first meal of the day, breakfast, what foods are best to keep blood sugar in check?
One proven to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels is eggs.
Alongside improving blood sugar levels, eggs have been found to improve cholesterol – anyone with type 2 diabetes is at greater risk of heart disease and stroke.
In one study, people with type 2 diabetes who ate two eggs a day as part of a high protein diet showed improvements in cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Eggs have also been shown to decrease inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, to increase levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.
Oats have also been found to a positive effect on blood sugar levels.
A 2015 review which looked at 16 studies found oats have a beneficial effect on glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Experts says oats have this effect because of their low GI score, making them less likely to cause spikes and dips in blood sugar levels.
Oats, including oatmeal and oat bran, also contain B-glucans, which can reduce glucose and insulin responses after meals.
But doctors recommend people with diabetes don’t eat too many oats because one cup contains roughly 28g of carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are known to raise blood sugar levels.
If a couple of slices of toast are your breakfast staple, you may want to re-think what type of bread you eat.
Bread is a source of carbohydrate, and during digestion carbohydrate is broken down into glucose, which is used by the cells of the body as their main source of energy.
This means too much carbohydrate can cause blood sugar to spike.
The charity says: “Switch from white toast to wholegrain versions like seeded batch bread, multi-seed, granary, soya and linseeds.
“These are better for your diabetes and digestive health. They’re more filling, too.”
The best choice of bread to keep blood sugar levels in check could be pumpernickel bread.
Source: Read Full Article