If you want to reduce your A1c levels, you should manage what you eat and pay particular attention to sugar intake and carbs. Healthy food choices and meal timing, in combination with exercise will help your body do its best to control your blood sugar levels.
Eating well is one of the most important ways to keep your A1C under control. Here are tips to help you choose the right foods:
- Focus on fiber: whole grains, vegetables, and legumes
- Choose lean proteins: chicken, fish, tofu
- Avoid sugary drinks and processed snacks
- Control portion sizes and eat slowly
Recommended Foods
- Leafy greens
- Berries
- Sweet potatoes
- Brown rice
- Chickpeas
- Salmon
Check out our Guide to Fruits and Vegetables for Seniors
You may also be interested in learning about healthy fats and oils from our Guide to Healthy Fats and Oils for Seniors
Tea
Some studies have shown that drinking coffee or tea is associated with decreased incidence of diabetes. The Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research reported that drinking four cups of tea a day has a 20% lower risk of developing diabetes - this conclusion drawn from studying 12,000 Type 2 diabetes patients throughout Europe. For a pre-diabetic individual, drinking coffee or tea every day may be beneficial in the long term.
Avoid Caffeine:
As a powerful stimulant, caffeine increases heart rate. Be careful on hot sunny days to avoid excessive caffeine. When you are active in the heat, caffeine can increase your blood glucose levels dramatically and increase the risk of collapse.