Skipping a meal is one of the most common practices seen in youngsters these days, but it isn’t the best diet plan for anyone. But in case you are suffering from diabetes it can lead to immediate blood sugar swing, if blood sugars that are too low (hypoglycemia) or too high (hyperglycemia) it can be dangerous. This is because of the relationship between diabetes, insulin and blood sugar levels.
You get glucose from foods you eat which your body uses it for energy than it travels through your bloodstream to your cells and Insulin moves glucose from your blood into the cells for energy and storage. Skipping meals in diabetes can cause low blood sugars and pancreas stops churning out insulin. Alpha cells in the pancreas begin to produce a different hormone and it signals the liver to break down stored glycogen and turn it back into glucose which is dangerous.
People with diabetes have higher levels of glucose in their blood. Either they don’t have enough insulin to move it through or their cells don’t respond to insulin the way it should. So, one should try not to avoid meals. As high blood glucose for a long period of time can damage your kidneys, eyes, and other organs.
Skipping meals may increase your chances of eating food that aren’t healthy for diabetes and you end up binge on junk food. It can also make you agitated while making impulsive food choices, and even isolate you from your loved ones.
Being hungry can also make you feel tired and can have effects on concentration and performing mental tasks. Also, due to low blood sugar it can reduce energy which can leads to dizziness, shakiness, and nausea.
In some cases, skipping meals to save calories sets the body up for swing in insulin and glucose that ultimately puts weight on rather than burn it. Maintaining a healthy weight is important for managing diabetes.
Foods with carbohydrate are not bad if consumed in a consistent amount which break down into glucose or blood sugar at regular intervals throughout the day can help prevent blood glucose spikes.
However, if do not feel like eating, it is important to check blood sugar levels more closely and frequently to four times a day. It is important to keep in mind that if your blood sugars are not controlled well the symptoms of high or low blood sugars may fade away after several years of living with diabetes.
