Balancing blood sugar is not just for diabetics, but a fundamental step to improve energy, balance hormones and improve sleep. But let's be honest, at this time of year it can be more difficult than usual with temptation around every corner!
Here are 5 ways to help keep you on track, plus 3 foods that might help.
Remember the golden rule - Carbs + quality protein and/or beneficial fats with every meal. This golden rule also helps you stay away from the snacks as protein, fat and fibre increase satiety and keep you fuller for longer - result!
Avoid skipping meals as it can affect insulin production and lead to low blood sugar
Minimise snacks - snacks aren't necessary for most of us to balance blood sugar, and gaps between meals help our digestive processes, including letting our gut bacteria do their wonderful work! But if you are hungry and need a snack to tide you over, the golden rule applies to snacks too.
If you’re going to an event, eat before you go so you have some control over what you're eating. You're likely to be less hungry when you arrive, but if you get peckish later, you can use the golden rule to make blood-sugar balancing choices.
If you’re drinking alcohol, avoid imbibing on an empty stomach and have alcohol with food to blunt its impact on blood sugar (as well as your tipsiness!)
And here are 3 foods that may help:
Cinnamon may help with sugar cravings - sprinkle on your porridge or yoghurt in the morning, or try cinnamon tea. Studies have also shown that it can help lower blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity.
If you’re a baker, you may want to try xylitol - it looks and tastes like sugar but has a very low glycaemic index and doesn't spike your blood sugar.
Chocolate-covered nuts - the fat and protein in the nuts help balance the sugar in the chocolate. Make your own if you’re feeling up to it, or go for dark chocolate if you’re not, 85% chocolate has also been found to feed beneficial gut bacteria - win/win!
For a more in-depth look at the importance of blood sugar balance for health, read this.
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The content on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are diabetic, please seek guidance from your healthcare practitioner.
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