The Sweet Danger of Sugar (30th January 2021):
Do you find yourself craving for more sugary or starchy foods? Or, are you feeling lazy, and experiencing hunger, dizziness, or headaches too often?
….These symptoms may be the result of an imbalance in blood sugar levels. It’s high time that you pay heed to your health problems, and consult a medical practitioner if the need arises.
For the time being, if you want to know more on how you can naturally stabilize your blood sugar levels, and feel energetic throughout the day, then keep reading!
Did you know?…. All those fruits, veggies, or even tasty sweets and cookies that you consume contain carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are broken down to sugar (or, glucose) in the body.
And, how much sugar is to be introduced in the bloodstream at a time?
…. It is determined by the timing, amount, and type of carbohydrate intake. Think of whole grains, fruits, and legumes. As they are natural, complex sources of carbohydrates, they will introduce sugar into the bloodstream at a slower pace compared to other simpler, processed sources of carbohydrates.
Of course, certain amount of sugar (or, glucose) from carbohydrates is needed for the body to function properly. After all, carbohydrates are our body’s primary source of energy.
But before glucose can be used as energy by organs, it has to be brought to the cells from the bloodstream. Who does this? Yeah, you guessed it right! This is where the hormone insulin plays a vital role.
Firstly, insulin clears the sugar from the bloodstream, and brings it to the body cells for absorption and energy generation. It also determines how much sugar consumed from the carbohydrates is to be utilized as energy in the present or future. The excess glucose is stored in the liver for future use.
Blood Sugar: Spikes, Drops, and Fluctuations
By now you can pretty well understand that without insulin, the sugar would just hang around aimlessly in the bloodstream. Thank goodness! Insulin is always there for us as a safety shield…When it isn’t present, or isn’t functioning properly, there is an increase in blood sugar levels.
Because high blood sugar isn’t the ideal, you might be thinking of aiming for low blood sugar. But that isn’t right either! It’s all about maintaining a delicate balance…somewhere between the blood sugar spikes and drops. That way, we all shall be able to live our life to the fullest.
Low blood sugar happens when either there is a surge of insulin and too much sugar is being transported out of your bloodstream…. Or, there is a lack of overall carbohydrate intake. In such cases, our body may start longing for more and more sweets, chocolates, or cakes. The problem is that these food items fall under the simpler, more processed carbohydrate category. So, after consuming these, our blood sugar levels may even undergo further fluctuations!
Following are some of the symptoms of fluctuation in blood sugar levels:
- Increased heart rate
- Brain fogging
- Shaky hands
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Chills
Now that you have understood why it is necessary to be mindful of your blood sugar levels, here are some simple tips to keep them under control.
- Your daily diet should consist of plenty of
- Healthy fats (e.g., avocados, nuts, seeds);
- Plant and animal-based proteins (e.g., legumes, beans, chicken, tofu);
- Whole foods rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables.
Making these a part of your daily diet should create a well-balanced nutritious meal. At the same these shall stabilize your blood sugar levels by slowing down the rate of carbohydrate absorption.
- Be mindful of stress, and get a good night’s sleep!
Think of the time when you are stressed out, and cannot sleep well… And, you tend to grab on more sugary foods and beverages to increase your energy levels. If you want to keep a check on your sugar levels, and stay fit, then this is of course an absolute no-no!
Our body expects us to be respectful towards it in every way possible. So, don’t forget to take breaks during work. Eat and drink healthy, and do the things you enjoy the most!
