Feeling off? Blood sugar stability may be to blame. This overlooked, yet very important aspect of health plays a role in hormonal balance, energy levels, cravings and metabolism- meaning it pays a crucial role in your overall well being.
Blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day in response to various factors. The carbohydrates you eat are broken down into glucose, which are then shuttled into the cell for energy with the help of insulin. When blood sugar levels fluctuate dramatically in response to excessive sugar or carbohydrate intake this cycle becomes unstable.
How are hormones impacted? When insulin is overstimulated, it affects estrogen, progestin and cortisol levels, leading to various symptoms that have been categorized as “perimenopause symptoms”. Additionally, increased insulin promotes chronic inflammation which can contribute to more serious conditions like autoimmune disease.
Here are some simple strategies to keep your blood sugar stable:
- Center your meals around protein and healthy fats
- Move after meals- take a walk or bust out a minute of body weight squats
- Fiber rich carbohydrates- fruits and starchy vegetables contain carbohydrates, but are also rich in fiber, ultimately lessening the glucose spike.
- Don’t eat naked carbs- pair your carbohydrates with protein or fat (or both) to lessen the spike. For example, if you are going to eat a cookie, pair it with some greek yogurt or a scoop of peanut butter- this will help to decrease the glucose spike.
By making small changes, women can improve blood sugar stability, leading to better energy, reduced cravings, and balanced hormones for long-term health.
