Is Fasting Safe In Diabetes?

Are you considering observing a fast despite having diabetes?

People with diabetes must be careful about their food. They must watch what they eat, when they eat, and the quantity of food they consume. This alertness helps them to manage their blood glucose levels. But does fasting and diabetes go well?

Let us understand what fasting is.

What is fast?

Fasting is basically when you decide not to eat food and sometimes water too for a specific amount of time. This restriction for not having food could be for a few hours or a whole day. In some religious practices the fasting could even be longer.

What are the different types of fasting?

Considering the Indian setup fasting can either be religious or therapeutic. Let us understand each of them.

1. Therapeutic Fasting

Therapeutic fasting is when you avoid eating for health reasons. This will lead to one using their body fat reserve as fuel.

This kickstarts processes of destruction of old cells and deep cleanse for your cells and tissues. As you fast, there is reduction in inflammation too.

2. Religious fasting

Religious fasting is done as a part of their faith. Generally people give up certain foods, drinks, or all food for a certain period of time. There’s a diversity of fasting customs across various religions and cultures.

Is Religious Fasting Safe In Diabetes?

The answer to it mainly depends on your health. Even if you are willing to fast you must consult your healthcare provider first.

Once your doctor approves that you are healthy to fast only then you can fast. Your doctor may advise you of certain guidelines like change of medication or change of dose of medication or timings of medication that you must follow if you are observing fast. You must follow your doctor’s suggestions while fasting.

What are the fasting guidelines for diabetes?

If you are planning to observe a religious fast you must follow the following guidelines:

1. Get enough sleep

You must never compromise on your sleep. Inadequate sleep can cause a sudden surge in blood sugar levels. 

2. Keep yourself hydrated:

You must include nimbu pani, coconut water, and buttermilk in your fast based on your religious practices. If you are not taking liquid while fasting, drink enough fluids before and after starting your fast.

3. Avoid taking tea and coffee

During, before and soon after the fast as they may cause mineral loss.

4. Break your fast with sugar-free drinks:

Avoid eating oily and deep-fried food like puri or pakoras. Instead, you can opt for leafy vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, and lean meat based on your religious beliefs.

5. Avoid the three S – salty, spicy, and sugary food

• Sugary food can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
• Salty food can affect blood pressure levels and salty food can make you feel thirsty.
• Spicy food can cause heartburn and discomfort.

6. Monitor your blood sugar levels:

If you wish to fast you must monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. If your blood sugar levels are not normal please take advice from your doctor about continuing your fast.

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Can fasting increase blood sugar?

Yes, fasting has an impact on blood sugar levels. The factors that are responsible for this increase include:

Let us now understand the reasons why fasting may affect blood glucose levels.

1. Hormonal Changes

Fasting can cause hormonal changes. These hormonal changes can alter blood sugar levels.

2. Risk of Low Blood Sugar:

Sometimes extended periods of fasting without proper planning can lead to low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can pose serious health conditions.

Risks Of Religious Fasting In Diabetes?

Eating unhealthy is the greatest risk of fasting. Based on different religious practices people eat unhealthy deep fried foods, sugary or spicy food during, after and before the fast.

The intake of these unhealthy foods can cause frequent alteration of blood glucose levels which is not good. Instead of consuming starchy and sweet things people with diabetes can opt to have milk, paneer, crud, fruits and vegetables.

You can reduce your risk of fasting by consuming healthy foods like greens, milk and milk products, and lean meat. However, the food choice must be made based on your faith.

What Happens To People With Diabetes When Fasting?

People who have diabetes and are managing their blood sugar levels with medications like insulin are at an elevated risk of blood sugar levels experiencing hypoglycemia or a drop in blood glucose levels during or after fasting. If you feel that you are feeling dizzy, weak, and confused break the fast and treat the low blood sugar.

On the other hand, elevated blood sugar levels during fasting could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires hospitalization. If someone fasting experiences high blood sugar, it’s important to break the fast and consume sugar-free fluids like buttermilk, and water to reduce the risk of dehydration and DKA. 

Fittertake

People with diabetes must make an informed decision of fasting after consulting your doctor. You can observe a fast only when your doctor allows you to fast.

Also if you are observing fast, kindly ensure to keep yourself hydrated and eat healthy. If your faith does not allow you to have food or water while fasting then eat healthy food and consume enough fluids before and after the fast.

If your faith allows you to have certain food and drinks please eat food with low GI and keep sipping on sugar free fluids.Also you must follow any guidelines that have been shared by your doctor for fasting.

To learn more about Fitterfly’s Diabetes Prime Programme and how it can help you intelligently take control of your diabetes, speak to one of our counselors by just giving us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will definitely get back to you.