Diet for Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is a high level of sugar in the blood. However, some conditions such as diabetes can allow the blood-sugar level to get much higher. In addition to regular insulin injections and careful monitoring of their blood-sugar level, diabetics typically must follow a stricter diet than the average person.

Definitions and Terms

The blood normally contains sugar in the form of glucose at a concentration that ranges from 60 milligrams to 110 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). Hyperglycemia is typically defined as a blood-glucose level of 180 mg/dl and should be taken two hours after a meal when the blood glucose is at its highest level.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders associated with an insufficiency of insulin. In the case of type I diabetes, this is the result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin to meet the body's needs. Type II diabetes is the result of the body becoming resistant to the effects of insulin. Both of these types of diabetes require the patient to ensure that his blood-sugar level does not get too high, especially after a meal.

Carbohydrates

Monitor your sugar intake very carefully. Sweets are of special concern to a diabetic because table sugar (sucrose) can be broken down into glucose very quickly and can therefore cause a blood-sugar spike much more easily than other types of food. Some patients may need to completely eliminate sugar from their diet.

Watch your carbohydrate intake. While not as critical as simple sugar, complex carbohydrates (starches) are also converted into glucose with relative ease. A dietitian will usually recommend that you get less than half of your total calories from carbohydrates at each meal.

Limit portion sizes and eat more frequently if needed to maintain your caloric intake. All foods must eventually be converted into sugar in order to use it as an energy source. By eating smaller meals more often, you can keep your blood sugar from "spiking" by not eating to much at any one time.

Protein, Fat and Fiber

Eat meals that contain 15 percent to 20 percent protein, the same level recommended for most adults. Diabetics should not restrict their protein intake, as this could cause kidney damage over a prolonged period of time. You should also limit the fats in your diet, especially saturated fats.

Dietary fiber also plays an important role in lowering the blood-sugar level. You should also increase your fiber intake to 55 grams per day by eating more fresh vegetables.