Prediabetes, a condition of slightly elevated blood sugar levels often develop into diabetes in a few years. What makes things worse, is that most of us ignore the condition and do not take the necessary steps to curb its progress. A few good habits will ensure that you never get the real thing which can mean a lifetime of blood sugar monitoring, drugs and increased risk of heart disease. So start today with these healthy lifestyle habits.

1. Budge Your Scale

If you are overweight, shedding just 5kg weight can significantly reduce your chances of developing diabetes. So use your calorie calculator to see how many calories you are consuming and burning in a day. So go ahead, exercise and eat well.

2. Skip the Meat

If you consider red meat a treat, it is not something to eat every day. Eat vegetarian more often as red meat has been linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating processed meat more than two times a week can increase diabetes risk by 50 percent. Include these 5 foods in your diet to lower blood sugar.

3. Spice Up

Add more cinnamon to your food as it may help keep blood sugar levels in check. The sweet spice cinnamon has been shown to lower triglycerides and cholesterol that contribute to diabetes. This is because cinnamon contains enzymes that stimulate insulin receptors.

4. Unwind

Stress triggers your blood sugar levels to skyrocket. Your body gets into fight or flight mode under stress which raises your blood sugar levels. The good news is that simple relaxation techniques like meditation can help you gain control over your blood sugar levels. So start your day with yoga and meditate often. Also, indulge in a hobby that makes you feel good. Can diabetes be reversed? Expert speaks.

5. Get Shut-eye

When you sleep too little or too long, your nervous system stays on alert which interferes with hormones that regulate blood sugar. Sleeping for less than five hours in a day can double up the risk of diabetes. For a good night’s sleep avoid coffee afternoon, leave work on time and switch all your gadgets off at least half an hour before hitting the sack.

6. Do Regular Blood Tests

A simple blood test can reveal whether your sugar levels can put you at risk of the condition. Knowing your blood sugar levels can put you on a track to steadying them with simple diet and exercise changes before diabetes sets in and medications be necessary.

And finally, your diet plays a very critical role in keeping blood sugar levels stable throughout your lifetime. Eat a lot of whole foods and ditch the junk and sugary foods as much as you can.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2019 04:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).