The arrival of the cold winter makes it more necessary for us to take care of our physical health. Blood sugar control is especially important during this season, as cold weather can have a certain impact on the human body. As an experienced veteran Chinese medicine practitioner, I will combine the theory of Chinese medicine with ancient and modern prescriptions to introduce you to some ways to take care of your blood sugar in the cold winter.
First of all, it is important to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Cold weather can easily cause blood vessels to constrict, hindering blood circulation. This increases the burden on the heart and affects the normal metabolism of blood sugar. Therefore, we should keep the room temperature in our home within a suitable range and avoid over-refrigeration and overheating. At the same time, indoor ventilation should not be neglected, and fresh air can be breathed through open windows to promote metabolism.
Secondly, reasonable dietary Xi is also very important for the stability of blood sugar. Cooler temperatures in winter make it easier for us to feel hungry. However, you should not snack or eat large amounts of food uncontrollably just because you are hungry. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cold weather can easily lead to weakened spleen and stomach function and decreased digestion. Therefore, we should choose foods that are easy to digest and have the right calories. For example, warm porridge can be added with some ingredients with warm yang properties, such as lotus seeds, red dates, yams, etc., which can not only nourish the spleen and stomach, but also provide enough energy.
In addition, proper exercise is also very important for blood sugar regulation. People are often reluctant to go out to exercise in the cold winter, but moderate exercise can improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and help improve the body's ability to tolerate cold. You can choose indoor exercises, such as yoga, tai chi, etc., or outdoor sports, such as walking, jogging, etc. The key is to choose an exercise that works for you and stick to it.
In addition to the above methods, ancient Chinese medicine prescriptions also provide us with some good remedies for regulating blood sugar. For example, tangerine peel and red date drink, boiling an appropriate amount of tangerine peel and red dates into a drink, drinking it every morning and evening after dinner, can enhance the function of the spleen and stomach and help the smooth metabolism of blood sugar. In addition, boiled eggs with bitter gourd are also a good way to regulate blood sugar in the cold winter. Boiling bitter gourd slices with eggs and eating them once a day can lower blood sugar levels and reduce diabetes symptoms.
To sum up, the cold winter requires us to take more care of our blood sugar. Reasonable adjustment of indoor temperature, maintaining appropriate dietary Xi, moderate exercise, and using ancient Chinese medicine methods are all important measures to maintain blood sugar stability. While staying healthy, we should also pay attention to preventing colds and other cold-induced illnesses to ensure the overall health of the body.
References: 1Diabetes Branch of China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2016, (Course-09).