Nutrition for managing high blood glucose sugar levels No concentrated sweets diet (1605)

Key points below

A normal blood sugar (also called glucose) stays between 70-100 mg/dL before eating most of the time. Sometimes blood sugars can go above or below these normal levels. Your doctor will help you figure out why this is happening.

These tips can help keep blood sugar at more normal levels:

Do not skip meals. Eat three balanced meals a day. Additional snacks may be needed. Talk with your doctor or dietitian about what your meal plan should be.
Drink water, milk and sugar-free drinks. Avoid regular soda, fruit drinks and other sugary drinks. Even 100% juice has a lot of sugar and should be avoided. These drinks can cause blood sugars to go up high, then sometimes drop low afterwards.
Eat a lean protein food and small amounts of healthy fats at each meal. These include: lean meats, eggs, beans, cheese, avocados, and nuts or nut butters.
Choose foods high in fiber. These include: fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals. Aim for at least 3 grams of fiber per serving of grains.
If you have a dessert, keep portions small and include with meals. Try to limit desserts to 1-2 times per week.Ask your doctor how physical activity can be included. It is safe to do in most cases, and can sometimes help keep blood sugars normal.

Choose and avoid these healthier foods and drinks:

Drinks

Choose more often: Water, white milk
Choose less often or smaller amounts: Unsweetened tea, sugar-free drinks, diet soda, reduced sugar flavored milk
Avoid: Flavored milks, all regular juice soda, Kool-Aid, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened teas

Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta

Choose more often: Unsweetened cereal, whole-grain breads, whole wheat pasta, brown or wild rice, old fashioned oats
Choose less often or smaller amounts: White rice, white pasta, tortillas, potatoes, granola bars, instant oatmeal
Avoid: Pastries, doughnuts, sugary cereals, white bread, pancakes, waffles, chips, fries

Fruits and vegetables

Choose more often: Any fresh fruit, canned/ frozen fruit packed in water, and fresh, frozen or canned vegetables
Avoid: Fruit in syrup or fruit juice, fruit snacks, or frozen fruit with added sugar

Desserts, syrups and jelly

Choose more often: Fresh or frozen fruit, light yogurts sugar-free pudding, sugar-free gelatins, sugar free popsicles, sugar free syrup
Choose less often or smaller amounts: Light syrup, reduced sugar jelly or jam, reduced sugar popsicles
Avoid: Regular syrup, regular jelly or jam, cake, pie, cookies, sherbet, candy

If your blood sugar drops low (<70 mg/dL), you may need a sugary food or drink to bring your blood sugar up. Let your doctor know if you are having low blood sugars.

Food to have when blood sugar is low and amounts:
100% juice - 4 oz.
Glucose tabs - 4 tabs
Raisins or Craisins - 2 Tablespoons

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.