Testing For High Blood Sugar On A Raw Food Diet

by Veren
(New York City)

Veren's Question

Hello Andrew,

Is there a inexpensive, safe, accurate method to measuring your blood sugar? Hospital visits tend to be expensive, and I don't have health insurance.

One of my vegetarian roommate insists that I visit a hospital and get a "hypoglycemic(?)" test, because, according to him, all I eat is sugar, and I'm on my way to diabetes. I've tried explaining and citing sources, that it's fat, not too much sugar ,etc, but it doesn't seem to get through.

Eight months ago I started my gradual transition into a raw, low fat vegan diet. I'm 90- 95% these days, with bananas (20-25 daily), dates, mangoes, being my staple fruits, with a head of lettuce and celery daily, being being the staple vegetables. While I incorporate a variety as much as a I can, these comprise the majority of my diet, and what is apparent to others. I'm also, very active, and work out regularly.

My health has improved dramatically, I haven't been sick since, I've lost weight, look much leaner, and have built muscle. Friends, and friends of friends all say the same. Even this roommate has noticed my weight loss. I've even noticed my 3 roommates eating more bananas.

Despite all this, the aforementioned roommate remains unconvinced, and I get still the same criticisms (he's okay with a banana, but not the quantity I eat).

I think that maybe, showing him results from a blood sugar test, could be the tipping point for him. He deals with cholesterol issues, takes supplements, is overweight, drinks and smokes. He's all about the veggies, however, and neglects the fact that the majority of his calories come from grain and oils. It's ironic, because he is normally very open-minded, but not when it comes to food.

Andrew's Answer:

Hi Veren.

Great question. Although it's by no means necessary, it can be very informative to learn about how your blood sugar levels have changed by switching to a low fat raw vegan diet, and how your levels changes in relations to what you're up to.

I'm a very curious person myself and generally trust personal tests above studies, so I understand the inclination as well as the concern of your roommates.

Luckily, there is an extremely easy way to test your blood sugar levels.

Glucometers, also known as glucose meters, are used to test the blood sugar of millions of diabetics every day. They can be bought fairly cheaply online or at most drug stores in the United States and Europe.

Depending on how fancy you want to get, one will set you back between $30 and $100. A google search should bring up reviews to help you make a choice. Most use test strips that can be purchased in packs.

I've used a glucometer to see how varying my fat intake, exercise, and other factors changes my blood sugar levels.

I've found they levels never crest 97 mg/dL (a very healthy level) when I'm eating between 5 and 15 percent fat, but by the time my fat intake reaches 20 percent of calories blood sugar starts to rise.

Please respond back to let us know how your test comes out.

Following Up:

You can learn more about how a low fat diet is the key to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels here.

Get on a healthy raw food diet
that prevents blood sugar issues.