Why Cannot Reduce Blood Sugar although Doing the Right Things?

by Mercy Cachero




QUESTION: My mother-in-law has diabetes, but her blood sugar keeps rising even though we reduced her food, removed sugar from drinks, and give her okra and oatmeal. Why is this happening, and which fruits and vegetables should I serve?





Quick Answer


Eating less or removing table sugar may not be enough to lower blood glucose. Glucose can remain high because the current medicine is insufficient, carbohydrate portions are larger than expected, insulin production has declined, or illness, infection, stress, poor sleep, dehydration, corticosteroids, or missed doses are raising it. Do not keep reducing her food without medical guidance. Record the readings and arrange a prompt diabetes review, including HbA1c, medicines, kidney function, and possible infection.




Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc



Hi Mercy,



High glucose does not mean that you have failed to prepare the “right” food. Type 2 diabetes can progress, and the body may need more or different treatment even when someone eats carefully. Heredity increases risk, but it does not determine whether one food or herb will control the condition.



Why Can Blood Sugar Keep Rising?




  • Treatment may need adjustment: a medicine may be missed, taken incorrectly, no longer sufficient, or affected by kidney or liver function.

  • Carbohydrates may be underestimated: rice, bread, oatmeal, noodles, potatoes, yam, cassava, plantain, corn, fruit, milk, and juice can raise glucose even without added sugar.

  • Illness can raise glucose: urinary, dental, skin, respiratory, and other infections may do this before obvious symptoms appear.

  • Other contributors: corticosteroids, poor sleep, stress, pain, dehydration, reduced activity, or the dawn phenomenon.

  • The diagnosis may need review: rapid worsening, weight loss, ketones, or very high readings may indicate major insulin deficiency or a different diabetes type.



Use a blood sugar log to record fasting, before-meal, and consistently timed after-meal results together with meals, medicines, symptoms, and activity.



Do Not Solve This by Continually Reducing Food



Eating too little can cause weakness, loss of muscle, malnutrition, and low glucose if she uses insulin or certain tablets. It can also make the diet difficult to sustain. The goal is an appropriate amount of nutritious food with controlled carbohydrate portions—not starvation or eliminating an entire food group.



She does not need five or six meals or snacks automatically. Meal timing should fit her medicines, hunger, culture, and risk of hypoglycemia. A bedtime snack is appropriate only for a specific reason, such as preventing a documented medicine-related low.



A Simple Diabetes Plate



For a main meal, use a plate approximately as follows:




  • Half: nonstarchy vegetables such as okra, leafy greens, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cauliflower, or green beans.

  • One quarter: fish, chicken, eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, or another protein appropriate for her health.

  • One quarter: rice, bread, oatmeal, yam, cassava, plantain, potatoes, corn, or another carbohydrate food.



Water is preferable to sugary drinks and fruit juice. Cooking methods such as grilling, baking, steaming, or boiling can reduce excess added fat, but a small amount of healthy oil can fit into the meal. Our guide to foods and blood sugar explains how the whole meal affects glucose.



Which Fruits Are Suitable?



Whole fruit can be included. Options include an apple, orange, pear, guava, berries, pawpaw, watermelon, mango, banana, or pineapple in an appropriate portion. No single fruit must be banned, but large portions, dried fruit, and juice can deliver carbohydrate quickly.



Serve fruit whole rather than as juice, and consider pairing it with a meal or a protein food when appropriate. Check her glucose response because portions and individual responses differ.



Are Okra and Oatmeal Helpful?



Okra is a nutritious nonstarchy vegetable, but it does not cure diabetes or replace medicine. Oatmeal provides fiber, yet it is still a carbohydrate food and can raise glucose. Choose plain oats, avoid added sugar, measure the portion, and include protein such as an egg or unsweetened yogurt when suitable.



Do not add glucose-lowering herbs or supplements. Their effectiveness is uncertain, product quality varies, and they may interact with diabetes medicines. Review our supplement safety guide.



What Should Her Clinician Check?




  • HbA1c and the timing of high readings

  • Every diabetes medicine, dose, timing, affordability, and missed doses

  • Kidney and liver function and risk of low glucose

  • Symptoms or signs of infection, dehydration, or steroid use

  • Whether medication should be intensified or insulin considered



Treatment changes should not be delayed when glucose remains above the individualized target. Learn more about diabetes medicine options.




Important Safety Note


Contact her clinician promptly if readings keep rising or repeatedly exceed her target. Seek same-day advice for persistent glucose around 300 mg/dL or higher, especially with thirst, frequent urination, weakness, infection, or dehydration. Seek emergency care for vomiting, abdominal pain, difficult breathing, confusion, fainting, high ketones, glucose above 400 mg/dL, or a meter displaying “HI.”





Doctor’s Note


Please bring her glucose log, meter, and every medicine package to a diabetes appointment. Persistent high glucose despite eating less usually means the complete plan—not only the food list—needs review. A dietitian can adapt portions to her age, weight, medicines, culture, kidney health, appetite, and access to food.





Educational safety note: This answer is for general diabetes education only. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not start, stop, or change insulin, tablets, herbs, supplements, diet, or exercise plans without speaking with her healthcare provider.




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Last reviewed: July 2026.




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