TYPE 2 DIABETES(/TYPE-2-DIABETES/GUIDE/)

10 Everyday Things That Spike Blood

Sugar
You’ve been eating right, exercising, and taking your diabetes medication as prescribed,
and yet your last blood glucose reading was abnormally high. Here are some potential
culprits.

By K. Aleisha Fetters (/authors/k-aleisha-fetters/)

Medically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MD (/authors/kacy-church/)
Reviewed: November 11, 2020

Medically Reviewed

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 (/)

Unexpectedly high blood sugar readings can be a bummer.

Getty Images

If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, your doctor has probably told you time and time
again that maintaining control over your blood sugar is essential.

“Controlling blood sugar is important for two main reasons,” says Lynn Grieger, RD,
CDCES (https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/lynn-grieger/), a certified personal
trainer in Prescott, Arizona, and a medical reviewer for Everyday Health. “On a day-to-day
basis, people just feel better when their blood sugar stays in a healthy range. Over the
long term, it’s the best thing you can do to prevent complications of diabetes
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/treatment/type-2-diabetes-
complications-heart-disease-diabetic-retinopathy-neuropathy-more/) from occurring.”
Diabetes complications (/diabetes/guide/) include nerve damage
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/neuropathy/guide/), kidney disease
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/living-with/easy-ways-to-protect-your-
kidneys/), skin conditions, eye damage (https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetic-
retinopathy/guide/), heart disease, and stroke
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/stroke/guide/), according to the American Diabetes
Association (https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications).

One of the main and most frequently discussed contributors to high blood sugar
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/high-and-low-blood-sugar/) is a diet
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/guide/diet/) too rich in carbohydrates

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(https://www.everydayhealth.com/carbohydrates/guide/), which once digested turn into

sugar (glucose). Certain high-carb foods (for example, white bread, white-flour pasta,
sugary drinks, and french fries) are among the most common foods that spike blood
sugar (https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/living-with/foods-that-spike-
blood-sugar/), she explains.

RELATED: 10 Foods to Avoid When You Have Type 2 Diabetes

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diet/joy-bauer-foods-to-avoid-when-
you-have-diabetes/)

“Many people with diabetes also get into trouble with processed foods (/diet-
nutrition/processed-foods-linked-shorter-life-span-study-finds/), which have added
sugars they may not know about,” says Gregory Dodell, MD
(https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/gregory-b-dodell), an assistant clinical professor of
endocrinology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. The good
news is that by sticking to a diabetes-friendly diet
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/managing-type-2-diabetes/best-and-worst-foods/),
incorporating physical activity (https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/exercise-
everything-you-need-know-about-how-physically-fit/) into your day, taking medication
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/guide/treatment/#medications) (if
recommended by your doctor), and regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels, you can
gain better control over type 2 diabetes (https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-
diabetes/guide/).

There are some triggers of high blood sugar (/hs/type-2-diabetes-management/blood-

sugar-uncontrolled-pictures/), however, that are out of your control or can sneak up on
you. Such triggers can make it difficult to manage blood sugar levels even when you think
you’re doing everything right.

Here are 10 surprising yet common causes of high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia (/type-
2-diabetes/guide/hyperglycemia/).

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 Type y
(/)

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/treatment/ways-lower-your-a1c/)

5 Ways to Lower Your A1C if You Have Type 2 Diabetes

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-
diabetes/treatment/ways-lower-your-a1c/)
Here's how to reach a healthy A1C number and avoid diabetes complications. Learn More
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/treatment/ways-lower-your-a1c/)

1 Artificial Sweeteners May Cause Hyperglycemia in the

Long Run

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iStock

Regular soda is off-limits for many people with type 2 diabetes (/type-2-diabetes/best-
and-worst-drinks-for-type-2-diabetes/), but diet soda is okay, right? Maybe not. A January
2020 study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7014832/) suggests that consuming
zero-calorie artificial sweeteners (https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-
diabetes/diet/sugar-substitutes-for-diabetes/), like the ones found in diet sodas and
those that are often added to coffee (https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-
nutrition/diet/coffee-healthy-caffeine-content-nutrition-benefits-risks/) and tea, actually
increases blood sugar levels over the long term. According to the study authors, once
consumed, artificial sweeteners seem to worsen insulin resistance
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/insulin-resistance-causes-symptoms-
diagnosis-consequences/) and the body’s ability to keep blood sugar levels steady.

That said, the negative effects of artificial sweeteners on blood sugar are likely less than
those of actual sugar, Dr. Dodell notes. “Diet soda is probably better than regular soda.”
Still, he stresses that moderation is key, and for healthier blood sugar levels, he
recommends ditching soda — both regular and diet — for healthier beverages, with
water (https://www.everydayhealth.com/water-health/water-body-health.aspx) being the
No. 1 choice.

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A 2018 scientific advisory
(https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000569) from the
American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association recognizes that these
sugar alternatives can be a temporary option for people weaning off of sugary beverages
but asserts that they should not be used over the long term due to their unknown health
effects.

RELATED: No- and Low-Calorie Sweeteners May Not Help With Weight Loss
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/low-no-calorie-sweeteners-no-
better-than-sugar-weight-loss/)

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iStock

When it comes to type 2 diabetes, carbohydrates (https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-

nutrition/101/nutrition-basics/what-about-carbohydrates.aspx) get a lot of attention. But
carbs aren’t the only type of food that people who have the disease need to watch closely
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/type-2-diabetes-management/count-carbs-
pictures/). For example, a February 2017 study published in the European Journal of
Nutrition (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26615402/) found that diets high in fat
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/101/nutrition-basics/skinny-on-fat.aspx),
and in saturated fat (/saturated-fat/guide/) in particular, increase insulin resistance
(/type-2-diabetes/insulin-resistance-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-consequences/). While
increases in abdominal fat can contribute to poor insulin health, dietary fat seems to
affect insulin resistance even in people who are weight stable and don’t see increases in
their abdominal fat levels, according to the researchers.

While high-fat foods are okay in moderation — after all, as part of a balanced meal,
healthful fats from foods such as nuts (https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-
nutrition/0406/why-you-should-go-nuts-for-nuts.aspx), avocado
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/avocados-health-benefits-nutrition-
facts-weight-loss-info-more/), and salmon can slow the release of glucose into the
bloodstream, not to mention promote heart health, as the American Heart Association
(https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/4-ways-to-get-
good-fats-infographic) notes — it’s important to pay attention to how much fat you’re
eating, Grieger says. Current federal guidelines
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(https://www.nap.edu/read/10490/chapter/1)
(/) recommend that about 20 to 35 percent of
your daily calories come from fat, and that saturated fat from foods such as cheese
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/cheese-health-benefits-risks-types-
top-sellers-more/), red meat, fried foods, and baked goods should make up less than 10
percent of your daily caloric intake.

RELATED: The Best and Worst Fats for Heart Health

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/proteins-and-healthy-fats.aspx)

3 Skipping Breakfast Can Lead to Higher Blood Sugar All

Day

Masahiro Makino/Getty Images

Breakfast is credited as the most important meal of the day — and this may be especially
true for people with type 2 diabetes. For example, in a small study published in July 2015
in Diabetes Care (https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/38/10/1820/37683/Fasting-
Until-Noon-Triggers-Increased-Postprandial), researchers tracked the food intake of 22
people with type 2 diabetes as well as their blood sugar levels for two days. The only
difference in food intake over the two days was that the participants consumed breakfast
one morning and not the next. The study showed that on the day they skipped breakfast,
their blood sugar levels were higher for the whole day. According to researchers,
forgoing breakfast may inhibit the function of the pancreas
(/pancreatitis/guide/pancreas/)’s beta cells, which produce insulin.
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But remember, says Grieger, just any breakfast won’t suce when it comes to keeping

blood sugar levels steady. “What you eat for breakfast is key,” she says. “I encourage
people to think outside the cereal box. Sugary cereal with a big glass of juice isn’t helpful.”
She recommends opting for balanced morning meals that pack in nutrients and, for
diabetes-friendliness, are low in carbs (https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-
nutrition/diet/low-carb-diet-beginners-guide-food-list-meal-plan-tips/), such as scrambled
eggs (https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/eggs-health-benefits-nutrition-
calories-more/) with spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

RELATED: 10 Easy Breakfast Ideas for People With Type 2 Diabetes

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diet/breakfast-ideas-for-diabetes/)

4 Hormonal Changes in Menstruation Tend to Mess With

Blood Sugar Levels

Getty Images

Widely known menstruation (https://www.everydayhealth.com/menstruation/speaking-

menstruation-a-glossary-of-terms-used-to-describe-symptoms-tests-treatments-and-
more/) symptoms include low mood and certain food cravings, but did you know that the
menstrual cycle can also cause blood sugar level swings? “Blood sugar spikes during the
ovulatory phase for a few days and then increases again in the last week of the cycle —
the days prior to the onset of a period,” explains Dodell. “This is due to peak levels of
estrogen (https://www.everydayhealth.com/estrogen/guide/) and progesterone
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(https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/progesterone).”
(/) Also worth noting: Women in
perimenopause (https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/perimenopause-vs-
menopause-look-difference/), when hormone
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/hormones/guide/) levels and menstrual periods are
often irregular, are likely to find their blood sugar levels to be unpredictable, says
Grieger.

If your menstrual cycle seems to affect your blood sugar levels, you may find it helpful to
look for a monthly pattern in your blood sugar readings, the Mayo Clinic
(https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/glucose-
levels/faq-
20424316#:~:text=Physical%20or%20emotional%20stress%20triggers,team%20to%20contro
recommends. A pattern would allow you to predict changes in your blood sugar and to
work with your doctor to adjust your treatment approach as needed throughout your
cycle.

5 Physical Inactivity Can Elevate Blood Sugar in a Matter of

Days

Priscila Zambotto/Getty Images

Exercise is important in managing type 2 diabetes

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/how-exercise-helps-prevent-and-
manage-type-2-diabetes/). In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight or lose
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weight, as well as lowering your risk of stroke (/stroke/guide/symptoms/) and heart

disease (https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/), physical activity increases the

body’s insulin sensitivity and helps your cells remove glucose from the blood and use it
for energy, Grieger says. In fact, according to a March 2020 review published in Mayo
Clinic Proceedings (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32007295/), people with type 2
diabetes may be able to reduce their dependence on glucose-lowering medication and
insulin by regularly exercising.

Conversely, inactivity can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Research

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21716152/) shows that just three days of decreased
activity increases blood sugar levels in healthy, normally active individuals.

When ramping up your physical activity, watch for signs of low blood sugar, or
hypoglycemia, during exercise (https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/high-
and-low-blood-sugar/). As a general rule, test your blood sugar before and after exercise,
as well as during if you’re not sure how your blood sugar will react, she says. If your
blood sugar dips too low, treat it immediately (https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/type-
2-diabetes-management/low-blood-sugar-action-plan/).

RELATED: 6 Top Diabetes Exercise Mistakes to Avoid

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/living-with/top-diabetes-exercise-
mistakes-how-avoid-them/)

6 Stress Increases Cortisol, Which Affects Insulin Sensitivity

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Anna Koldunova/iStock

You’re overextended at work, there’s a family crisis, and suddenly your blood sugar level
is through the roof. Sound familiar? “Stress
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/stress/guide/) definitely raises blood sugar levels,”
Dodell says. “It increases cortisol (https://www.everydayhealth.com/hormones/guide/),
our fight-or-flight hormone. When cortisol goes up, it makes us less sensitive either to
our body’s own insulin or to insulin injections (/type-2-diabetes/treatment/insulin/).”

Stress can be physical — sustaining an injury, for example — or mental, such as being
beset with financial woes or marriage problems. Even positive changes to your daily
routine — a promotion at work or going on vacation — can cause a sudden increase in
blood sugar, he says.

The best ways to de-stress (https://www.everydayhealth.com/stress/guide/relief/) and get

the hormones back under control? “People often turn to food, which doesn’t help,”
Grieger says. “But we can learn new ways to manage stress (/stress/guide/relief/).” There
are things you can do when you’re right in the moment — when tension at work
suddenly makes you want to pull your hair out. “Go for a five-minute walk or take 10
deep breaths to slow your breathing,” she says. “And there are regular habits you can
develop, like establishing a daily exercise or meditation routine.”

7 The Body’s Inflammatory Response to Infection Can Cause

Blood Sugar to Rise
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(/)

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When you're sick or you have an infection, your body releases hormones to help it fight
off the illness. While that’s a good thing, there's a drawback for people with type 2
diabetes — your blood sugar levels can soar. That’s likely due to the body’s inflammatory
(aka stress) response to illness and infection, Dodell explains.

That’s why it’s a good idea to have a plan for sick days. Talk with your doctor or diabetes
specialist to determine what you should do to keep your blood sugar in check on sick
days. Be sure to get your healthcare provider's advice on how often to measure your
blood sugar, which medication may further cause your blood sugar to rise, whether you
should check for ketones (/urine/ketones-urine-test-what-it-measures-what-results-
mean/) in your urine (which, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
(https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/ketones-in-
urine/#:~:text=These%20include%20people%20with%20type,chronic%20vomiting%20and%2
can suggest you’re not getting enough insulin), and any red flags to look out for, he says.

RELATED: 9 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Out of Control

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/type-2-diabetes-management/blood-sugar-
uncontrolled-pictures/)

8 Medication and Supplements May Contribute to Blood

Sugar Changes

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Cappi Thompson/Getty Images

Illness itself can increase blood sugar levels, but so can illness-fighting medication. A
number of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs — even some vitamins and
supplements — can raise blood sugar. Examples include corticosteroids
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/corticosteroids/guide/), asthma medication
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/asthma/guide/treatment/), birth control pills
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health-pictures/the-11-best-birth-control-
options-for-women.aspx), certain antidepressants
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/antidepressants/guide/), and some medication for
severe acne, Dodell says. While the exact causes aren’t completely clear, research
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528930/) suggests that changes in
blood flow as well as direct effects on insulin release and receptors may explain why 
blood-pressure-lowering medication has the potential to spike blood sugar.

It’s therefore important to let your doctor know about each and every medication you
take, whether OTC or prescribed by another doctor, he says. They may be able to help
you find an alternative medication that is better for your blood sugar levels or,
alternatively, simply help you manage your blood sugar despite any sugar-increasing
medicine.

9 Lack of Sleep Can Increase Stress and Lower Insulin,

Raising Blood Sugar

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Getty Images

There’s been much investigation into the connection between sleep and health problems.
According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF)
(https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/link-between-lack-sleep-and-type-2-diabetes),
the overwhelming bulk of the research that relates to diabetes has found the same
thing: Not enough shut-eye (https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/living-
with/regaining-energy-with-diabetes/) can lead to spikes in blood sugar. Current sleep
recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes are the same for all adults: Aim for
seven to nine hours per night for adults and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and older,
notes an article published in March 2015 in Sleep Health
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073412/).

The NSF (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/link-between-lack-sleep-and-type-2-

diabetes) says the connection is probably related to the fact that sleep deprivation
triggers a release in the stress hormone (/cortisol/guide/) cortisol while also reducing the
amount of insulin released when you eat. To add insult to injury, poor sleep also elevates
hunger hormones in the body, making it harder to follow a healthy diet, Dodell explains.
For example, in one telling study
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3707179/), when men and women
reduced their nightly sleep time by one-third, they ate 559 extra calories the next day.

It’s a good idea then, Dodell says, to pay extra attention to your blood sugar levels after
sleepless nights.

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RELATED: Why Sleep Quality Matters When Managing Type 2 Diabetes

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/type-2-diabetes-guide-healthy-habits/sleep-quality-
matters/)
Type your text

10 Poor Dental Health

David Sacks/Getty Images

Gum disease has long been recognized as a complication of type 2 diabetes (/type-2-
diabetes/guide/). But researchers are also finding that unhealthy gums may actually
increase blood sugar levels in the body, according to the American Dental Association
(https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/FTDP_July2013_2.pdf?la=en).
Dodell also notes that gum disease can increase the risk of infections as well as
inflammation throughout the body, both of which can increase blood sugar levels.

The dental association

(https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/FTDP_July2013_2.pdf?la=en)
recommends that people with type 2 diabetes take extra care of their gums. Brush twice
per day, floss, and see your dentist regularly to have your gums checked. Make sure to let
your dentist know you have diabetes.

Additional reporting by Katie Kerns Geer (https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/katie-

kerns-geer/).

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