Did you know that the foods you eat can have a big impact on your blood sugar balance? That’s right – what you put into your body can either help to regulate your blood sugar, or make it harder for your body to maintain a healthy balance. Here are 20 foods that can affect blood sugar levels, and how they can impact your health.
Blood Sugar Balance and How it Affects our Bodies
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Our blood sugar is an incredibly important aspect of our health, as it provides energy for the body when balanced. When blood sugar levels become too high or too low, this can have serious consequences for our mental and physical wellbeing. The key to achieving blood sugar balance is maintaining a healthy diet, containing the right amounts of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Regular exercise will also help both regulate blood sugar and boost overall health. It’s essential that we be mindful of managing blood sugar effectively in order to stay energized, avoid fatigue and keep up with life.
10 Foods Positively Help to Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Staying on top of food options to maintain a balanced blood sugar level isn’t always easy. There are foods, however, that can help the body maintain this balance and keep the energy levels stable.
- Beans
- Oats
- Brown rice
- Leafy greens and kale
- Fruits like berries and citrus
- Fish like salmon and mackerel
- Sweet potatoes
- Greek yogurt
- Nuts such as almonds, pumpkins seeds, etc.
- Kimchi and sauerkraut
There are so many foods that help blood sugar balance but these are ones we think are easy to incorporate into most peoples diet. They all contribute to a food plan that is beneficial for maintaining a healthy blood sugar balance.
10 Foods that Spike Blood Sugar Levels
Some of the most popular foods actually contain ingredients that can throw off blood sugar balance.
- White bread
- Corn-Based Products like Chips or Cereals
- High glucose fruits such as bananas and melons
- Soda, sometimes even the Diet ones
- High fructose corn syrup, which is found is so many pre-packaged foods
- Breakfast bars or cereals
- Doughnuts, pancakes and waffles made from white flour
- Sweets in general like ice cream, candy,
- Smoothies even if they are green
- Pasta
These are just ten foods that people should avoid to better maintain blood sugar balance. Eating these in moderation can help fight against blood sugar spikes that can leave you feeling fatigued and jeopardizing your health.
Whole Foods are Best for Blood Sugar Balance
When it comes to combating imbalance and regulating blood sugar levels, it’s hard to beat whole foods. Eating mostly unprocessed and minimally processed foods can be a great way to make sure blood sugar levels stay at healthy levels. Whole foods are usually lower in sodium and higher in fiber, two important components of a balanced diet for people with diabetes or just want to keep blood sugar balance.
Furthermore, there is recent evidence that suggests eating whole grains may reduce your risk for issues like Type 2 Diabetes and other blood sugar issues.
When it comes down to it, cooking meals from scratch with fresh ingredients is the easiest and most effective way to control your blood sugar and live a long, healthy life.
The Importance of Maintaining Blood Sugar Balance
Keeping blood sugar levels in balance is paramount to our overall health and wellbeing. Too much sugar in the blood can cause imbalances which lead to numerous complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurological problems and increased risk of infection.
On the other hand, too little sugar can cause serious issues as well such as seizures, confusion and lightheadedness. Eating a balanced diet low in refined carbohydrates is crucial for maintaining healthy blood sugar (glucose) levels. Additionally, regular exercise combined with smart meal planning should be incorporated in to your regular routine so that you can ensure proper amounts of glucose within your bloodstream at all times.
In Conclusion
Though this list of food that affects blood sugar balance is not exhaustive, we think they are a great start in living a well balanced and healthy life. Each food listed above is easy for most people to either incorporate or remove and will help you on your way to balancing your blood sugars. If you feel you need some additional support, read about our Top 4 Balance Blood Sugar Supplements.
Have a great, whole food, blood sugar friendly meal? Share it below…
What is blood sugar?
Blood sugar is a type of sugar that is found in your blood. It is also called glucose. Glucose comes from the food you eat. It is the main source of energy for your body.
Your body changes blood sugar into a form of energy it can use. This energy helps your body do everything from moving to thinking. Your brain needs a steady supply of energy to work well. So does your heart and other muscles.
When blood sugar levels get too high, it can damage your body over time. This is called diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes.
What is the normal range for blood sugar levels?
The normal range for blood sugar levels is 70 to 100 mg/dL when fasting and under 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. These numbers may vary depending on the person’s age, activity level, and other factors. For example, pregnant women may have a higher blood sugar level range because they are burning more glucose to support their baby. People with diabetes may have a different target blood sugar level range based on their specific condition.
The American Diabetes Association defines the following blood sugar ranges:
Normal: 70 to 100 mg/dL
Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL
Diabetes: 126 mg/dL and above
What can I do to manage my blood sugar levels?
There are a few things you can do to help manage your blood sugar levels:
#1. Take a natural blood support supplement like Blood Sugar Support Plus, Blood Sugar Blaster, BetaBeat, or Gluconite, which can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes. Read more about these HERE.
#2. Eat a healthy diet that is low in sugar and refined carbs, and high in fiber and protein.
#3. Exercise regularly.
#4. Keep stress levels under control.
#5. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and make adjustments as needed.