As a diabetic, it’s important to watch how many carbs you eat and to keep your overall calorie intake within healthy levels. But that is easier said than done.

The Roller Coaster Of Appetite

For those with diabetes, the normal challenges of controlling cravings for sweets and fats can be amplified. Insulin insensitivity can make it harder for cells to use the glucose in your bloodstream. However, your brain doesn’t know that. All it knows is that you’re not getting enough energy.

So, what does it do?

Yes, your appetite comes roaring to life. You may find yourself thinking about easy snacks and fast food. You might even devour an entire bag of chips or cookies but still not feel satisfied. This is because the problem is insulin resistance or for type 1 diabetics, not enough insulin. Simply eating more won’t fix your hunger cravings.

You need to get diabetes under control and work on improving your insulin resistance.

Ways To Control Your Appetite

Some of these tips work best over the long-term. In the short-term, taking a shot of insulin or your metformin dose will help the body make use of what glucose is already present. Other ideas include:

• Checking your blood sugar levels to make sure it’s not hypoglycemia.
• If it is low blood sugar, eating a small carbohydrate snack.
• Eating a healthy protein filled breakfast to stave off cravings.
• Creating meals that combine a whole grain with a lean protein.
• Eating up to 25 grams daily of fiber.
• Try drinking bitter melon tea, as it contains insulin-like compounds.

The bitter melon tea is best attempted with care as it may lower your glucose too much, especially if you are on other medications. Always speak with your doctor before trying a new supplement or over-the-counter product.