Why Blood Sugar Management Matters

If you are a person with diabetes or pre-diabetes keeping your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a goal range requires daily awareness. Bodies with insulin resistance are challenged to process foods and package glucose into cells in a manner that is beneficial. Individuals without insulin resistance are able to do this without much concern, however, individuals dealing with this condition will likely feel the consequences of overworking their system in response to certain food choices. Daily monitoring can feel like a chore, but remembering the reasons why managing blood sugar matters can make the process feel more worthwhile.

It affects how you feel. Anyone who has gone through a hypo- or hyperglycemic episode knows that these sensations feel terrible. During a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) event, your body might shake, sweat, feel anxious, or be dizzy. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous. Similarly, in a hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) event, you might feel very tired, have blurry vision, and have great thirst.

You can help your body help you. The food we eat is broken into components that the body uses for fuel and nourishment. In individuals with insulin resistance, consuming too much of certain foods or beverages in one sitting can overwhelm the system as it tries to store this fuel away. Moderating the amount of food and drink you consume to a level that your body can handle prevents it from being overworked and allows it to function as efficiently as it can.

It contributes to the risk of other diseases. Chronically high blood sugar levels increase the risk of other conditions and diseases like heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, and more. The strain of too much glucose in the bloodstream contributes to these future risks and affects how you feel in the moment. Managing your blood sugar and reducing this strain on the body can reduce your risk of developing complications.

Managing your blood sugar is important and takes work. If you are needing or wanting to learn more about how to do this in your own life, I hope you’ll reach out to us! We’d love to help you on your health journey. Contact us at (785) 560-2566 or rdn@manhattannutritionclinic.com.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Share

Mail

Manhattan Nutrition Clinic Blog

Recipe Makeovers

25 Apr, 2024

There are some recipes we make the same way every time. Traditional family recipes, like Mom’s chicken or Grandma’s cookies, must be followed to create the desired result. Other recipes have more flexibility. Many recipes we come across while scrolling social media can be tweaked to be made more nutritious without compromising the recipe’s integrity. With this in mind, we can start with almost any recipe and still end up with something that sounds good and is more nutrient-dense.