The best strategies to lower blood sugar levels are losing weight and controlling the quantity and quality of the carbohydrates you eat.

The healthier carbohydrates include:

• Whole grains (100% whole grain bread, bulgur, brown rice, whole-grain cereal, etc.)
• Fresh fruit
• Beans
• Lentils
• Vegetables

Dairy products also contain carbohydrates as lactose (or milk sugar). The best dairy products to choose are skim milk and plain, non-fat yogurt.

Limit these carbohydrates:

• Refined grains (white bread, white rice, white flour, bagels, etc)
• Sugar-sweetened beverages
• Foods with added sugars (i.e. candy, desserts, jam, jelly, syrups, etc.)
• Fruit juices
• Dried fruits
• White potatoes