Why knowing your blood sugar level is important and how you can manage it – CBC

Diet, sleep, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are all important for controlling blood glucose

Nov 05, 2023

Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta wants to set the record straight on blood sugar levels.

The professor of medicine at McGill University says people often think high blood sugar levels are from eating too much sugar.

That could be to blame for high blood sugar levels, but most of the time, she says excess weight and lack of physical activity are the causes.

“People think they’re just going to get rid of or reduce sugar in their diet,” said Dasgupta, who is also the director of the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.

Instead of focusing on sugar alone, dietitians say people should focus on eating foods that don’t cause high spikes in blood sugars, like fibre and protein.

“If you’re someone who is struggling later on in the day, you want to really look at your meals to make sure that they’re giving you enough nutrients so that your blood sugar is balanced so you’re able to be your best,” Toronto-based registered dietitian Anar Allidina told CBC’s The Dose podcast host Dr. Brian Goldman.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/blood-sugar-levels-1.7015727