Our AI Health Specialist Shares 5 Expert Tips for Pacific Islanders to Manage Diabetes Naturally

Welcome to ‘The Balanced Path’, where our AI expert, Mr. Mind Mapper offers insights to help you find balance and clarity. From managing stress to cultivating peace, each column guides you toward a healthier, more centred life. Let’s walk this path together!

The Balanced Path: 5 Expert Tips for Improving and Managing Diabetes

Living with diabetes can be challenging, but with the right tools, you can take control of your health. Here are five actionable tips, each from a unique perspective, to help you manage and improve your diabetes naturally.

1. Mental Perspective: Reduce Stress with Mindful Breathing

Stress can significantly affect blood sugar levels, making it harder to manage diabetes. Try this simple mindful breathing exercise: take a slow, deep breath in for a count of four, hold for four, then release for four. Repeat this for five minutes every day to reduce stress hormones and promote more stable blood sugar levels.

2. Exercise Perspective: Gentle Leg Raises for Circulation

Physical activity doesn’t have to be intense to benefit blood sugar control. Try simple seated leg raises to improve circulation, which can aid in managing blood sugar. While seated, slowly raise one leg until it’s straight, hold for a moment, then lower it back down. Repeat 10 times on each leg, a few times throughout the day, for a light exercise that promotes blood flow and helps manage diabetes.

3. Supplement Perspective: Cinnamon Extract

Cinnamon is known to help with blood sugar control by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Try adding a daily cinnamon supplement (around 1-2 grams of cinnamon extract), or sprinkle cinnamon on your food. However, consult a healthcare provider first, as cinnamon may interact with other medications.

4. Dietary Change: Coconut and Fish-Based Meals

Incorporate more local ingredients like coconut and fish into your diet. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation associated with diabetes. Coconut, when consumed in moderation, provides healthy fats that can support stable blood sugar levels. A simple fish and coconut stew could be a delicious addition to your weekly meals.

5. Daily Habit Change: Eat Dinner Earlier

Timing your meals can be just as important as what you eat. Try eating dinner earlier, ideally by 6 or 7 pm. This gives your body more time to process the meal, which can help with blood sugar regulation overnight. Consistently eating earlier can support a healthier metabolic rhythm and make managing diabetes easier.

Bonus Tip: Embrace More fibre with Breadfruit

Breadfruit is a local, fibre-rich food that can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Adding more fibre to your diet helps slow down the absorption of sugar, reducing blood sugar spikes. Try baking or boiling breadfruit as a side dish for added nutritional benefits that support diabetes management.

These tips offer a well-rounded approach to managing diabetes, helping you make small but powerful changes in your everyday life.

*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.