Food cravings, mood swings, irritability, fatigue? Any of these sound familiar?
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1/3 of Americans are at imminent risk of becoming diabetic, and 90% of those at risk don’t even know it! The symptoms I listed above are just a few of the changes that happen within us that indicate a possible blood sugar imbalance. So, maintaining healthy blood sugar level is of utmost importance.
Blood sugar. What’s the story?
Blood sugar refers to glucose carried in the bloodstream. Glucose is released from food that we eat and uses it for energy. Carbohydrates such as fruit, bread pasta, and cereals are common sources of glucose. These foods are broken down into sugar, then absorbed into the bloodstream. Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose go from the bloodstream into the cells of our body to be used for energy.
Keep it stable
Stabilizing your blood sugar levels with the right nutrition is the only way to achieve your goals permanently. Restricting calories and carbohydrates will result in a weight loss initially, but eventually, as those foods are reintroduced, the weight will inevitably return. The key to keeping your blood sugar stable is making small changes in your diet, exercise routine and sleep schedule.
Here are my best tips:
- Low-Processed Diet – eating carbohydrates and keeping blood sugars stable is possible when you mix protein, fiber and healthy fats in your meals.
- Carbs & Sugars – skip anything with refined or enriched flour and added sugars such as high fructose corn syrup. See my blog where I list out some natural sugars.
- Exercising regularly will help cells in your muscles use up more glucose that may be in your bloodstream.
- Keep Stress away – High levels of stress can release cortisol which can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Consistently implement those activities such as yoga and meditation/prayer to reduce stress.
To your health,
Patti
