In the past decades, the number of people suffering from diabetes has been growing constantly. High level of blood sugar is not only a problem for the diabetic, everyone should worry about this. Even if you are healthy, if the blood sugar levels are high for longer time period, it can lead to diabetes, which is only manageable, not curable. And it`s not only cakes, candy and sodas that is raising the levels of sugar in your blood.
THE MAIN REASONS FOR HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
High sugar levels will cause constant feeling of being hungry and starved, gaining weight even though you watch your diet, as well as digestive problems.
These are some of the reasons for increased level of sugar in the blood:
Unbalanced diet, poor in nutrients
Stress
Lack of physical activity
Certain medications
Certain health conditions
SIGNS THAT YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL IS VERY HIGH
Having high blood sugar levels is one of the symptoms or manifestation of diabetes, which does not have to mean that you have this condition. Other possible side effects of high blood sugar are:
Dry mouth
Dry and itchy skin
Frequent infections
Problems with your vision
Extreme fatigue or tiredness
Frequent need to urinate, especially during the night
Being hungry constantly
Wound and cuts heal very slow
Problems with the nerves
Unexplained weight gain
Stomach problems
Increased thirst
Impotence
Difficulties concentrating
GLYCEMIC INDEX FOOD LIST
GI, or glycemic index, indicates how much a carbohydrate containing sustenance, will raise the level of sugar in the blood. Different foods are put on the list depending on how they contract with reference sustenance, which is glucose or white bread.
Food with high GI will increase blood glucose more than sustenance with low or medium GI. The list uses a scale from 0 to 100- the higher the index is, the more it raises the glucose levels. Pure glucose has a GI of 100.
Foods with high glucose index are being processed very quickly, while foods with low GI are processed slowly and gradually. To prevent the side effects of high glucose, you should consume more food with low GI, because they lower the levels of insulin and they have many other health benefits, like weight control, for example.
FOODS WITH LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX
Foods with gi between 0 and 55 are considered to be low glycemic and perfect for consumption, like:
1 egg = 0
1 cup of hummus = 6
1 medium yellow onion = 10
1 cup of broccoli = 10
1 cup of walnut = 15
1 cup of cashews = 22
1 cup of cherries = 22
1 cup of yogurt (no added sugar) = 23
Half a large grapefruit = 25
1 Turkey sausage = 28
1 cup of butter beans = 31
1 cup of kidney beans = 34
1 medium apple = 38
1 glass of tomato juice = 38
1 cup of spaghetti = 42
1 cup of green grapes = 46
1 glass of pineapple juice = 46
A large carrot = 47
1 medium orange = 48
1 large banana = 52
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED WITH CARE
Foods on the scale between 55 and 70 should be consumed with care, like:
1 cup of brown rice = 55
1 tablespoon of honey = 55
1 cup of oatmeal = 58
FOODS TO AVOID (High Glycemic Index)
Foods on the scale between 70 and 100 are considered as high glycemic; they should be avoided, consumed with caution or eliminated completely.
1 slice of white bread = 70
2 cups of popcorn = 72
1 glazed doughnut = 76
1 piece of rice cake = 78
Corn flakes cereal = 92
50 grams of glucose = 100