The Voice Of Diabetes Advocacy In Zimbabwe With Tino Dzikiti | Type 1 On 1 [941132]

Understanding Your Blood Sugar Levels After Eating: A Guide to Maintaining Optimal Health

Monitoring Your Body's Response

When best tea for high blood sugar it comes to blood sugar levels, understanding how your body responds after eating is crucial. The ideal blood sugar range for healthy living varies depending on factors such as age and health status. For most adults without diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting glucose level below 100 mg/dL and an A1C test result of less than 5.7%. However, it's essential to remember that these are general guidelines.

When you eat, your body absorbs carbohydrates into the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise. This natural fluctuation is known as postprandial hyperglycemia or glucose surge. After a meal containing high amounts of simple carbs and added sugars, your body may experience an even more significant increase in blood sugar levels.

The Link Between Diet and Blood Sugar Regulation

Your diet plays a vital role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Consuming nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats helps regulate glucose absorption. The key is to focus on complex carbohydrates that release sugars gradually into the bloodstream.

On the other hand, processed foods 132 blood sugar level fasting with added sugars and refined carbs can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. Examples of high-glycemic index (GI) foods include white bread, sugary drinks, baked goods, and candy bars. Incorporating low-GI foods such as whole grain rice, brown pasta, sweet potatoes, applesauce, or oatmeal into your meals can help maintain a stable blood sugar level.

Stress Management for Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Chronic stress is another critical factor affecting blood sugar regulation. Stress triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline hormones in the body. Cortisol promotes glucose production by increasing gluconeogenesis (the generation of new glucose) in the liver, which can lead to higher fasting blood sugar levels.

Exercise Strategies for Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

Regular physical activity is essential blood sugar at 102 before breakfast for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Exercise increases insulin sensitivity, allowing your cells to take up more glucose from the bloodstream. It also enhances your body's ability to regulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that stimulates the release of insulin.

Maintaining Healthy Sleep Habits

Sleep deprivation has been shown to disrupt normal blood sugar regulation mechanisms. During sleep, our bodies produce new cells and tissues responsible for glucose metabolism and storage, as well as regenerate hormones involved in regulating appetite. When we don't get adequate rest, these functions become impaired.

When trying to maintain a healthy blood sugar range after eating, getting enough sleep is crucial. Research suggests that individuals who get 7-9 hours of sleep each night tend to have lower glucose levels than those with shorter durations or irregular schedules.

Importance of Blood Sugar Tracking

Regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels helps you stay on top of any fluctuations in response to different foods, lifestyle choices, and health status. This information will help identify patterns that can inform dietary decisions and potentially reduce the risk of developing complications associated with high blood sugar ranges

*Please note we had a few technical difficulties with this episode! Tino had a power cut at the time of recording, so he was using his phone signal to record and as you will hear, it’s a little patchy at points. But do stick with it because this is a really powerful conversation.* ‘I want to be the bridge between the knowledge and my community.’  How do you strike a balance between pushing for change and ensuring the healthcare system is equipped to handle the progress? This is the question preoccupying today’s guest Tino Dzikiti. He is working to bring the latest diabetes research, knowledge and tools to his community in Zimbabwe. ‘There is resilience in the system, but there are huge gaps in the system,’ he told me. ‘We’re trying to make progress with the basics. It’s slow, but there is hope.’   After training in finance, Tino shifted his life’s work to become a Diabetes Advocate, Educator, Podcast Host and Consultant. Aged just 26, he's using his platform and blog to break down complex diabetes topics and the latest findings in a way that the whole community can benefit from. While sharing knowledge, raising awareness and reducing stigma, Tino is also pushing for more affordable access to diabetes medication. We chatted about the more challenging aspects of making your voice heard, the cost of diabetes care in Zimbabwe, and how becoming an advocate for people with diabetes has helped Tino to rewrite his own story, after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11. Say hi to Tino on Instagram: The Global Diabetes Insights podcast: Tino's blog, The Diabetic Mogul: We’ve got an Instagram account! Join the Type 1 on 1 community: My instagram: SPONSOR MESSAGE: Thanks to my episode sponsors Dexcom. Pioneer and leader in Real-Time continuous glucose monitors, Dexcom's goal is to simplify and improve diabetes management for every possible person with diabetes. They have a choice of systems, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle at