Why You Need to Balance Your Blood Sugar
You might associate blood sugar levels with diabetics, but everyone can benefit from keeping theirs in check.
Blood sugar refers to the amount of sugar, or glucose, present in the body’s bloodstream. This sugar is produced when we eat any form of carbohydrate, which is then absorbed by the bloodstream to be used as energy for the body. The reason carbs are so quickly and easily used by the body is because of their simple chemical structure; most are converted to sugar within an hour and a half of eating.
A hugely important component for overall health and wellbeing, blood sugar controls everything from cravings to our energy levels, mood and even how well we sleep. When blood sugar is balanced, we feel good, but when it’s low it can lead to constant sugar cravings, irritability, poor sleep, lethargy and weight gain. If blood sugar remains constantly imbalanced, it can lead to serious chronic health conditions like heart disease and kidney disease. Menopausal women should pay particular attention to blood sugar levels as changes in oestrogen and progesterone during the menopause affect how sugar is transported from the blood to the cells. Here’s how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Eat a good breakfast
A healthy meal first thing helps sets your blood sugar response and keep it healthy for the day ahead. Ideally you want to aim for a mix of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats to ensure a smooth, steady release of energy. Skipping breakfast altogether is a big no; according to experts consuming breakfast instead of skipping it entirely improved participants’ responses to glucose throughout the day.
Eat lot of fibre
Eating plenty of fibre is a good way to ensure you don’t suffer from blood sugar spikes and that it remains steady. That’s because the body can’t absorb and break down fibre in the way it does other carbohydrates. Include lots of high-quality wholefoods in your diet like vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, meat and fish.
