Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that often requires the use of anti-diabetic medication, or insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. However, the development of type 2 diabetes and its side effects can be prevented if detected and treated at an early stage. For a type 2 diabetic, blood sugar levels in the morning may be very high and this caused by the Somogyi effect, a condition also called “rebound hyperglycaemia”. A common reason why blood sugar may be high in the morning include high-carb bedtime snacks.
The Cleveland Clinic said: “Your body uses glucose for energy to have enough energy to be able to wake up in the morning.
So for a period of time in the early morning hours, usually between 3 am and 8 am your body starts churning out stored glucose to prepare for the upcoming day.
At the same time, your body releases hormones that reduce your sensitivity to insulin. To control high blood sugar levels in the morning adding a bedtime snack could help.”
Eating a bedtime snack can prevent blood glucose levels from dropping very low during the night and lessen the Somogyi effect.
Foods with high levels of protein, health fats and limited carbohydrates have been proven to help with the Somogyi effect.
Medical News Today recommends having either a handful of nuts, a hard-boiled egg, low-fat cheese and whole-wheat crackers, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, or cucumber slices, celery sticks with hummus, air-popped popcorn, roasted chickpeas, sliced apple with peanut butter, sugar-free yogurt or a handful of seeds.
There are lots of good options such as been dip with veggies as the combination of the fibre and protein in beans has been shown to help keep blood sugar under control. Beans are an integral part of the DASH diet
Certified diabetes educator at the Cleveland Clinic, Gillian Culbertson
For type 2 diabetics learning how their body processes blood sugar during the night is vital.
Try to eat mindful by focussing on enjoying the food, avoid snacking in front of the television or while reading, driving, or otherwise distracted, plan meals, snacks and treats ahead of time, choose handful snacks, rather than ones that contain empty calories and low-quality carbohydrates and learn about portion sizes.
When it comes to the worst evening snacks that will cause the most damage on blood sugar levels; chips, crackers, granola or cereal bars, pretzels or cookies.
Certified diabetes educator at the Cleveland Clinic, Gillian Culbertson said: “Snacks that contain white flour, sugar, salt or sodium have no redeeming nutritional value whatsoever.
“They may be convenient but they don’t help control blood sugar levels.
“Refrain from snack foods that are rich in sugars and refined carbohydrates, because of how they can boost blood sugar.
“There are lots of good options such as been dip with veggies as the combination of the fibre and protein in beans has been shown to help keep blood sugar under control.
“Beans are an integral part of the DASH diet, which is the most effective approach to stopping high blood pressure.
Oatmeal is also a great option for a bedtime snack. Oats are very high in soluble fibre, which is a must-have for people with diabetes and heart disease.”
A 2003 study looked at the impact of bedtime snack composition on prevention of nocturnal hypolgycemia in adults with diabetes.
The objective was to determine the impact of four bedtime snack compositions on nocturnal glycemic control.
The result was that the need for snacks at night is beneficial in reducing the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia.
Your doctor may recommend a number of options to help you prevent or correct high blood sugar levels in the morning and you should discuss with your GP about possibly adjusting your dose of medication or insulin.
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