Festive Season Health Check: Stay Ahead of Sugar & Cholesterol
Introduction
October is a time of many upcoming festivals in India. Some of these festivals include Diwali, Dussehra, Govardhan Pooja, Bhai Dooj, etc. These festivals are a time of celebration with family members for most people. However, due to unchecked dietary and lifestyle habits during the festive seasons, one is likely to develop abnormal health markers, particularly with reference to the blood sugar and cholesterol levels. As blood sugar and cholesterol are important indicators of overall health, it is important to understand how to keep them under control during the festive season. Learn more through this article.
Impact of Festivals on Blood Sugar and Cholesterol
During Indian festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra, the tradition of sharing and eating sweets and other such items is common. The cholesterol and blood sugar levels are greatly affected during these times due to changes in diet and lifestyle, with inclinations towards eating fast food items. Traditional meals such as deep-fried snacks and rich dairy products are high in saturated and trans fats. In turn, this can raise the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Furthermore, staple items used during traditions, such as white rice and refined flour pastries, have a high glycemic index. This can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels.
Individuals also tend to have a lot of leisure time with reduced physical activity. In turn, this can affect blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels as well. Along with this the pressure of family gatherings, shopping, and irregular eating habits during festival seasons can increase stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress is linked to weight gain and can temporarily raise cholesterol levels. This is why festivals can make a person susceptible to blood sugar and cholesterol issues.
Tips to Maintain Health Parameters During Festivals
While festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra can lead to physical parameters and blood markers going off the chart, MedCab offers a few trips on maintaining health parameters during festivals –
- Meal Management: Control portion sizes by eating smaller meals, and limit the intake of sugary and fried foods that are commonly served during Diwali, Govardhan Pooja, Bhai Dooj, etc. Also try to ensure that sufficient fibre and lean protein content is a part of your daily meals.
- Staying Active: Incorporate regular physical activity, such as a 30-minute walk after meals. This can help in the regulation of blood sugar levels.
- Getting Sufficient Sleep: Ensure you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night to support overall health and glucose control.
- Monitor Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels: Getting blood tests for blood sugar and lipid profile during the beginning and end of the festival season can help you understand how different foods affect your health parameters and blood markers.
Get preventive blood tests with MedCab’s Pathology services at budget rates. MedCab offers package deals for blood sample collection even during the festive season. MedCab’s Pathology Services can help you stay ahead of your health.
Blood Tests with MedCab
MedCab offers a range of blood tests related to blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels, such as lipid profile tests and full body check-ups. MedCab’s pathology services offer convenient home sample collection at the time and location of your choosing. Furthermore, avoid crowded locations and get fast results for the blood sample tests through MedCab’s Pathology Services. Some of the packages offered by MedCab include –
- MedCab Healthy Heart – Basic: Basic package includes a variety of tests such as Glucose Fasting (BSF), CBC Profile, ESR, HbA1C (Glycosylated Haemoglobin), High Sensitivity CRP, KFT (Max), Lipid Profile, LFT (Max), Urine Profile test and covers 73 parameters.
- MedCab Cardiac Basic Package - MedCab Cardiac Test Basic Package includes a variety of tests such as Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Lipid Profile, Creatine Kinase (CK), Glucose (Fasting), HsCRP, Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1C), Urine Profile test and covers 52 parameters.
- MedCab Diabetes Test (Basic) - includes Blood Glucose Level Fasting & Post Prandial, HbA1c test and urine profile test that covers 22 parameters.
- MedCab Diabetes Comprehensive Package - includes 10 tests such as CBC, HbA1c, KFT, Lipid, CUE, C- Peptide, Vitamin B12 & D, LFT, etc that cover 74 parameters.
- MedCab Screening Test 1 - includes 8 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH), Calcium, and Complete urine examination with 63 parameters.
- MedCab Screening Test 2 – includes 8 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH), Calcium, and Complete urine examination with 74 parameters.
- MedCab Screening Test 3 - includes 10 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid TSH, Calcium, HbA1c, Vitamin D and Complete urine examination with 74 parameters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be important to be mindful of eating and lifestyle habits during the festive season, such as Diwali, Dusshera, Bhai Dooj and Govardhan Pooja. You can control portion sizes, avoid sugary drinks and remain active to ensure the festive season does not affect your health. MedCab offers blood sample collection services for sugar and cholesterol markers that can also help you keep track of your health parameters. So, this festive season, take extra measures to protect your and your loved ones’ health with MedCab’s Pathology Services.
