The Best 8 Foods to Balance Blood Sugar
Foods to Balance Blood Sugar
Balanced blood sugar levels are crucial to a healthy and prosperous life. Balanced blood sugar levels prevent disruption of your body’s functions and help your overall health. Here are a few foods to add to your diet to help balance your blood sugar:
- Greens:
You can never eat too many greens. For the best blood sugar benefits, go for nutrient-dense, low-carb greens like
spinach, kale, and broccoli. These greens are also very rich in protein and calcium, which help your body in multiple areas. You can toss these greens in salads with olive oil and chunks of salmon. Studies have shown that these three vegetables contribute to dramatic improvement in patients who are constantly battling with their blood sugar.
- Low fructose fruits:
Fruit is always a must, but for blood sugar-specific management, choose fruits that are low fructose, such as cantaloupe, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, and blackberries. You can snack on them throughout the day, or toss them in your salad, smoothies, or acai bowls.
- Protein:
Protein is essential for slowing down glucose absorption in your body, which helps regulate your blood sugar levels. Add foods to your diet that are packed with protein, like wild salmon and other types of fish, beef and other types of lean meat, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and eggs. Make your diet interesting; try snack ideas like celery sticks dipped in all-natural peanut butter. This snack is rich in protein and only contains the good kind of fat. Remember everything in moderation, however. Too much protein actually can become sugar in your blood, creating a condition called gluconeogenesis; 40 to 70 grams of protein is enough for a day.
- Herbs and Spices:
Herbs and spices are natural supplements for balancing your blood sugar levels. They not only add flavour to your dishes, but they may also help your hormone’s lower your blood sugar. Some spices, like turmeric, contain anti-inflammatory properties, which help in balancing out your sugar.
- Low-calorie drinks:
Cut out sugary, high-calorie drinks from your diet. Add drinks like cinnamon tea, lemon water, and cucumber juice in your daily routine.
- Whole grain foods:
Whole grain foods that are also rich in protein, like millet and quinoa, provide and store energy without causing spikes in your blood sugar levels.
- Beans:
Beans are a good source of protein, low carb, and rich in fiber, all important factors in balancing your blood sugar. Hummus, lentils, and garbanzo beans are good examples and great dietary choices. Remember to soak them the night before to promote easier digestion.
- Nuts:
Nuts like almonds and walnuts contain healthy amounts of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and are a low carb snack idea.
Try balancing your blood sugar the natural way by changing the way you eat. You’ll be amazed at the difference!
If you would like to learn more please book a discovery call, just click here.
Yours in health and wellness,
Trish
Trish Tucker May
I have always been fascinated with energy. Where does it come from and how do we get more of it. It is easy to take it for granted in our twenties. I had the philosophy I would sleep when I was dead. Sleeping was boring. There was always too many exciting places to go, people to see and experiences to be had. I seemed to have a great sense of urgency to experience the rich tapestry of life. It wasn’t until I was overcome with exhaustion with the birth of my second son, that energy seemed to be out of my reach. I was constantly exhausted. Fueling my sleep deprived existence with dark chocolate and toast just to get me through the day.I was 42 years old, two young children and one that was not sleeping well.Are you close to burnout from stress, worry or a lack of sleep. Are you working too hard?Here is a list of foods that will help and hinder adrenal fatigue. Adrenal Fatigue Eat ListBest to include (organic):Herbs, SpicesOlivesDrinks:Pure Water, Pure water with 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt or Himalayan, Green Tea especially if currently on coffee – replace with this, Herbal Teas avoid those mixed with black tea, Vegetable JuicesDairy Milk: Goats Milk is lower in lactose and the closest thing to human milk.Dairy Products: Ok if tolerated well and must be organic – personal preferenceNon-Dairy Milks: (free from Carrageenan – label check)Almond milk (my personal suggestion), Coconut milk, Flax milk, Hemp milk, Sunflower milkOils: Olive, Coconut, Grape Seed, Almond, Sesame, SunflowerSeeds:Sunflower, Pumpkin, Chia, Flax, Sesame, HempNuts:Cashews, Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts (soak the night before)Legumes/Beans: Lentil, Black, Mung, Kidney, Adzuki (soak overnight prior to eating to aid in digestion) mostly all beans are acceptable, just be sure to soak.Grains:Millet, Quinoa, Brown Rice, Oats, Amaranth (*be sure package says gluten free for all grains)Fruits:Low on Glycemic Index like Cherries, Apples (green), Kiwi, Plums, Pears, Mango, PapayaVegetables:best are brightly colored and not in the goitrous categorySweeteners:Stevia, Yacon Root SyrupSalt:Celtic & Himalayan Salt (*if high blood pressure is also present, please omit or consult with physician about portions accepted).Organic meats: Meats are great sources of protein but should be organic and free of toxins, antibiotics, hormones, steroids – Turkey, Chicken, Duck, Beef, Pork is acceptable if organic and nitrate freeFish:low mercury level fish – Salmon, Tilapia, Trout, Mackeral, Herring, FlounderSea VegetablesBest to avoid: (consuming on this list can drain the adrenals)Soft Drinks: Soda and other carbonated beverages as they usually contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, and high amounts of caffeine.CoffeeAlcoholSugar:All kinds – brown sugar, raw sugar, sugar cane, maltose, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup – HFCSSugar Substitutes:Equal, Sweet and low, SplendaSugar AlcoholsProcessed Foods, Deep fried foodsHoney & Maple Syrup *limit as this drops blood sugar level rapidlyNitrates:found often in meats, hot dogs, cold cutsGlutenDairy:*if not organic and if you have inflammatory or allergen responsesSoyPeanutsHydrogenated Oils: example MargarineFruits:Bananas, Raisins, Dates, Figs, Oranges, GrapefruitStarchy Vegetables:Potatoes including sweet potatoesGoitrous Foods: Bok Choy, Kale, Sprouts, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Mustard Greens, Radishes, Soy, Tofu. *if consuming these it is best to cook to reduce goitrous properties.Refined Flour Products: Pasta, white rice, breadAll additives, toxic chemicals and processingIN CONCLUSION:Fueling your body with the right foods is essential for your vitality but I also want you to think about taking time for yourself each day.Keep a food dairy for 5 days and see what foods you are eating. Are they feeding you or draining you?Start now. This is your awesome life and living it feeling awful and tired is the worst.Contact me for a strategy session or sign up for my coaching www.trishtuckermay.com.Work with meRead testimonials herehttps://trishtuckermay.com/testimonials/Trish Tucker Maywww.trishtuckermay.comEmail: trish@trishtuckermay.comPhone: +44 07984326956Facebook: Passion 4 Juice with Trish Tucker MayTwitter: Trish Tucker May