FAQ

• Fasting glucose levels: 80-120
• Post-meal after 2 hours: 100-140 

Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1C) test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past 2-3 months:

• Normal range: 4 – 5.6% 
• Indication of Diabetes- HbA1c over 6.5% 

Risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes:

• Family history- having a close family member with Type 1 diabetes.
• Age: Type 1 diabetes is more likely to develop when you’re a child, teen, or young adult.

Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes:

• Obesity

• Lack of physical activity

• Age

• Family history

• Ethnicity

• Smoking

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to treat diabetes depends on the individual's specific situation. However, some useful tips that will help are:

1. Control blood sugar levels through diet and exercise.
2. Try to Avoid Sugar rich food/beverage items. 
3. Get regular check-ups and keep a blood sugar testing kit at home
4. Educate yourself on the various types of diabetes and the treatments available.
5. Seek professional help if you experience significant symptoms or if your diabetes is not responding to the treatments. Consult a diabetologist or dietician. 

Here’s a list of types of foods/beverages you should avoid:

• Refined Foods
• Saturated Fat
• Processed food like fast food
• Refined grains
• Sugar-sweetened beverages
• Caffeine
• Alcohol

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This causes glucose to build up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels.

In Type 2 diabetes, however, the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively. The most common cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity and lack of exercise. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent due to lifestyle changes. There are many other factors that can lead to this condition including having a family history of type 2 diabetes and age over 40 years old.

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes which can occur in adults of all ages, but prediabetes often begins after age 40. It may also develop in children and teens who have other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as family history of type 2 diabetes or obesity.

• Take advantage of exercises like walking, running, going on a bike ride, yoga etc. Exercise improves the body's insulin resistance & helps to get rid of the extra.
• Do not eat highly refined & processed foods like fast food.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables which will help fill up your stomach with vitamins, minerals and fibre which will keep you full for longer periods of time.
• Make your snack list- It can be hard to complete your nutrient intake from the meals alone. Plus you might be tempted to eat unhealthy snacks. It's better to create your own healthy snacks list so you know what’s healthier for you. If you find it difficult & want a healthy snacking solution that is diabetic-friendly, try these delicious snacks from Keeros.
• Drink more water
• Make your own detox water with healthy ingredients for flushing out toxins from your body. 

Yes diabetics can eat fruits but there are a few points you must take care of:

• Choose fruits that are low in sugar and carbohydrates.
• Eat fruits in moderation 
• Avoid fruit juices 

Here are some fruits which a diabetic person can consume: Blackberries, Oranges, Strawberries.

The signs and symptoms that occur when you have diabetes are:

• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Increased thirst
• Unexplained Weight loss 
• Frequent Urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slow-healing wounds/ cuts/ bruises
• Weakness in hands or feet (called peripheral neuropathy)
• Increased hunger or loss of appetite
• muscle pain, tingling in fingers or toes

You should use only natural sugars such as honey or maple syrup or 100% natural sweeteners derived from natural plants like stevia. The advantage of natural sweeteners is that they taste exactly like sugar without the negative effects that come with sugar like an increase in blood sugar levels.

There are many ways to keep your energy level up while watching your weight. Here are some tips:

• Start working out in the morning. Try to do a 10-minute workout before breakfast 
• Make sure that you have a healthy breakfast
• Eat food full of fiber- sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains etc. 
• Drink more water prefferable with water infusers.
• Sleep Well - helps keep your body and mind healthy.

Eating meals with healthy snacks in between can help people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels stable throughout the day. You will need to ensure that the healthy snack you consume is:

• Fiber-rich- regulates the amount of sugar released into your bloodstream
• high in protein- helps to repair tissues & the absorption of nutrients
• healthy fats- Eating the right types of fat combat the ill effects of diabetes
• Low in added sugar- The carbs in sugar is what causes the insulin levels to rise.

Contains Complex Carbs- Consume foods with complex carbohydrates as they take longer to digest providing a steady flow of energy.

If you are a diabetic, you might feel hungry when going to bed or at midnight. But you must only eat snacks that will help control your blood sugar. Here are some healthy bedtime snacks:

Almonds

Apples

Multiseed

Peanut butter

Popcorn

Sugar-free yoghurt

Diabetes does not mean that you will never be able to satisfy your sweet cravings. You have to be just careful in what you eat as food with high sugar can be bad for your health.

• Eat naturally sweet fruits.
• Always eat in small portions instead of having a big chunk
• Eat Dark Chocolate
• Cook  homemade dessert using a sugar-free natural sweetener
• Switch to sweet-tasting healthy snacks.

When you have diabetes, you have to be careful with your routine before going to sleep. Here are some tips you can implement so that you can sleep soundly:

• Avoid caffeine, sugary foods, chocolate, or starchy foods just a few hours before sleep time.
• Eat a nutritious dinner that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein & fibre
• Take a small walk after dinner. It will help you to sleep soundly at night.
• Drink Water to stay hydrated for the night. 
• Inspect your foot for any injuries as you lose foot sensitivity when diagnosed with diabetes. 
• Destress yourself before sleep time. Turn your phones away or any electronics at least ½ hour before bedtime.