A How-To Guide: Control Your Sugar Without Medicine

Like Rishabh Aggarwal, 49, many diabetes patients approach us with questions on how to control sugar without medicines.

Rishabh fell in the recommended HbA1c range so our doctors went ahead with his diabetes management without medication.

To answer Rishabh’s query on how to control sugars without medicines, our consultants lay emphasis on –

1. Strict Diet Control

   “Without medicines it becomes more important to control your blood glucose levels with a stricter diet,” says Dr. Lata, Consultant Diabetologist at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital.

   Swap high-carb, starchy foods like white bread, rice, or pasta with complex carbs like whole grains (atta, oats, dalia, juar, bajra, etc.) because they have a lot of fiber.

   You could incorporate the food-plate method in your daily meals for better regulation. Each meal should include 2 servings of vegetables, 1 serving of protein like pulses, cottage cheese or eggs, and 1 serving of grains.

   Follow the meal plan appropriate for you as per your dietician’s instructions.

   Alarmed with the spike in his PPBS test results after eating out for a few days, Rishabh decided to stay away from the following as per his dietician’s advice –

   • High glycemic index (GI) foods such as potatoes, sugar, flour, etc that cause spike in glucose levels after ingestion.
   • Processed and packaged foods like namkeens, mixtures, biscuits, chips etc. that contain harmful fats
   • Refined carbs like suji, rice or maida

2. Regular Exercise
   

   Rishabh was advised to include regular exercise in his daily life for at least 30-40 minutes.

   “Light exercise like yoga or walking is an effective way to control your blood glucose levels. As per the ADA guidelines, make sure you stretch or take a stroll every 30 minutes while at work as well.”

   Rishabh felt encouraged with the effect routine exercise had on his blood glucose levels after he made healthy changes in his daily life.

    

3. Frequent Glucose Monitoring
   

   “You have to regularly monitor your intake without fail to make sure your blood glucose is within the goal range of your management plan.”

   “Diabetes management is made easier with use of a glucometer as advised by your doctor.” Monitoring is useful when answering the question how to control sugars without medicines.

There are certain situations when your blood glucose go too high or low. Here are things to keep in mind when treating diabetes without medication –

• What foods cause blood sugars to rise?

Rishabh wanted to know how to deal with blood glucose levels that go dangerously low.

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) can be treated with the intake of sugar, glucose tablets or ½ a glass of fruit juice.

“Hypoglycemia can be dangerous if left untreated. If your blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dl, follow the ‘rule of 15’.”

Low glucose levels usually occur because:

– There are long gaps between meals or you have missed a meal

– Unplanned physical activity or exercising more than usual uses up your body’s glucose quicker

– Drinking too much alcohol, especially on an empty stomach

Consult your doctor and identify the reason behind your low blood glucose levels.

• How do you lower blood sugar naturally?

It is important to treat hyperglycemia, where your blood glucose rise too high, as soon as possible.

“If your glucose levels are high when you’re at home, any form of light exercise or a casual stroll helps.”

Patients on insulin should consult their doctor for the appropriate dosage or to adjust insulin doses for better diabetes control.

“Now that I understand how to control sugar without medicines, I feel encouraged and better equipped to handle this condition,” concluded Rishabh.