Our sense of balance, energy, and well-being is largely governed by blood sugar levels. In a stress-wired, grab-and-go world, poor diet and sedentary habits can easily dismantle this fine balance.
Our society’s collective sweet tooth is an adaptive response. It goes back to caveman days and it’s what encourages us to eat foods that are high in energy and nutrients. The problem is that the refinement of sugar has removed all the beneficial nutrients, enzymes, and other plant compounds that give naturally sweet foods their goodness.
In small amounts, sweeteners cause no problems to most people, especially when they are eaten in natural forms like fruit. Large amounts of sugar on a regular basis however, cause insulin resistance, a state in which the body does not respond to this hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar correctly.
While sugar may add some sweetness to our lives, what comes after isn’t so sweet. Sugar is a contributing factor to both short term and chronic health concerns from acne to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Recently, high worldwide rates of obesity, diabetes, and poor dental health prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to propose that each person consume no more than 12 tsp of sugar per day. Reducing sugar consumption to 6 tsp would have an even more substantial impact on health, according to the WHO.
Let’s support our skin and nourish our bodies with a taste of sugar freedom. Beyond integrating physical movement and diet clean-up, we can turn to low glycemic foods that are naturally equipped to lend support in our body’s blood sugar balancing act.
Foods for blood sugar harmony
- leafy greens
- nuts and seeds
- avocado
- cucumber
- wild-caught fish
- organic eggs and meat
- sprouted whole grains
- beans and legumes
- berries
Enjoy your sweets as an occasional treat, rather than something needed daily, and enjoy the natural savor of healthy whole food. You’ll soon lose the sugar craving.
Try it!
If you’re concerned about balancing your blood sugar levels, look to nature. Check out fiber, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon, just a few natural blood sugar regulators.
Want more help to jump-start your practice? Join our 12 Months of Wellness Challenge (alive.com/wellnesschallenge/). Our November challenge is all about finding freedom from sugar. You’ll find plenty of support within our community of like-minded wellness enthusiasts!
