Keep Your Blood Sugar Under Control While in Lockdown

Now that the world is on lockdown and the kids are home and can’t stop eating, likewise, we as parents or adults can’t stop snacking, here are some tips to keep your diabetes and blood sugar levels under control to keep the spike in blood sugar levels at bay.

Diabetes (type 1, type 2, or gestational) is a disease in which your body either can't produce insulin or can't properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas.

According to WHO, "The number of people with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. This means that diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation."

For people with diabetes, the meal or snack choices require a lot of thought and questioning; unlike other people without the diagnosis.

How can you make a variety of uncomplicated, tasty meals and snacks that will satisfy your family and keep their mouth “busy”— while still controlling your blood sugar, cutting your calories, watching your blood pressure, staying home, and keeping tabs on your cholesterol at this time when everything is shut down?

For people with diabetes, it is important to choose snacks that are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. It’s also important to snack on nutrient-dense foods that promote overall health. These nutrients will help keep your blood sugar levels under control.

Here are some healthy snack choices you can make enjoy the family:

1. Hard-boiled eggs

2. Yogurt and berries

3. Almonds

4. Veggies and hummus

5. Diced apples and peanut butter

6. Beef sticks and roasted chickpeas

7. Avocado slices

8. Turkey roll-ups and cottage cheese

9. Wholegrain crackers with cheese

10. Popcorn and tuna salad

11. Trailmix

12. Blackbean salad

13. Peanut butter and celery sticks

14. Egg muffins

Here are some healthy recipes ideas you can make together as a family:

• Oven-roasted salmon and sriracha and lime

• Red lentil soup and cauliflower salad

• Chicken and white beans stew

• roasted vegetable and chickpeas

• Italian style red pepper soup with fish

• Chickpea and cauliflower curry

Remember, your health is your wealth even while in quarantine or isolation. Let's be creative and keep our minds, body, and soul healthy and this priority should not be forgotten.

Until next month….

^Lola (Founder, D.S.G. Health Consulting Inc.)

References: www.healthline.com | www.healthharvard.edu | www.who.org