Controlling blood sugar levels

When we eat something sweet and sugary and highly processed, like a sugar coated doughnut, we feel good, right, well actually we feel GREAT! That’s a sign that our blood sugar is rising and rising quickly. What we are really doing is referred to as spiking our blood sugar – referred to in the medical world as hyperglycemia.

But the euphoria doesn’t last long and before you know it, we feel like we’re about to hit rock bottom and we’re looking for another sweet, sugary snack. And that’s a sign that our blood sugar is making a nose dive.

The type of food that we eat has a dramatic effect on our blood sugar levels and eating foods that constantly spike our blood sugar, like that sugary doughnut, is a big no-no. We need to eat foods that release their sugars slowly.

This allows our blood sugar to operate within a narrow range which is exactly what our bodies seek – a state of equilibrium. These foods are known as low-glycemic foods. And not surprisingly, our bodies love low-glycemic foods.

So what’s hot and what’s not? If we follow the mantra, “if it’s white, don’t bite” we’re on to something. White flour, bread, sugar and believe it or not our beloved potato (sorry guys) is definitely off the list.

And for what’s hot, think of whole grains, beans, fruits and veggies – foods that are unprocessed and in their original state.

There are also studies which suggest that continually spiking our blood sugar produces a significant rise in the number of free radicals which causes oxidative stress. This in turn damages the cell lining of our arteries (the endothelium).

According to Dr. Ray Strand, specialist in nutritional medicine, continually spiking our blood sugar levels over time sets the stage for insulin resistance, a condition in which the natural hormone, insulin, becomes less effective in lowering blood sugars. And insulin resistance is often a precursor to diabetes.

Keeping our blood sugar levels stable throughout the day is the way to go. Stay tuned for more information about keeping our blood sugar levels stable through healthy low-glycemic eating.