I am 36, female, working as an analyst in the late evening shift in Pune. In the recent medical test, my blood sugar is detected as 238 mg/dL. And my cholesterol level is 220. Is this a sign of worry? Can diabetes be managed and reversed with medication and diet? My work is pretty hectic so I often skip meals or order in late at night when I am hungry. What can I do?

Diabetes is a condition that leads to a high blood glucose level. The treatment lies in reducing this level with a low carbohydrate diet.

Planning your meals with more complex carbs like vegetables, salads, multigrain cereals, fruits, adequate protein and low fat will help reduce insulin resistance, which is the one of the main causes of diabetes.

Avoid foods high in fat and simple carbohydrate like cakes, pastries, sweets, chocolates, fried foods, savouries, aerated water, junk and fast foods, etc. These will raise your glycaemic index.

Choose low glycaemic foods and incorporate a high fibre diet to blunt a rise in the glycaemic index.

Having small frequent meals will help lower the glycaemic load as well.

Include a regular exercise regimen for development of lean mass and lowering body fat percentage.