{"id":1278,"date":"2023-10-30T13:25:56","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T13:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/?p=1278"},"modified":"2023-10-30T13:27:58","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T13:27:58","slug":"the-sweet-truth-about-blood-sugars-understandingmanaging-and-thriving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/?p=1278","title":{"rendered":"The Sweet Truth About Blood Sugars: Understanding,Managing, and Thriving"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1278\" class=\"elementor elementor-1278\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7b1b334a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7b1b334a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-579ad90c\" data-id=\"579ad90c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7408c80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7408c80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Sweet Truth About Blood Sugars: Understanding,Managing, and Thriving<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a73786b elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a73786b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-1279\" alt=\"Photo of a woman holding a green apple in one hand and a donut in the other.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?w=1640&amp;ssl=1 1640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?resize=1024%2C577&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?resize=1536%2C865&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6173d23 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6173d23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood sugar, or glucose, is the body&#8217;s primary source of energy. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health and well-being. As a dietitian, I often find myself emphasizing the importance of controlling blood sugar levels, especially for individuals with conditions like diabetes or prediabetes, but honestly, this is good information for everyone. Glucose in the bloodstream can become too high or too low due to a variety of factors.\u00a0 So let\u2019s explore the significance of balanced blood sugar levels, the potential risks of uncontrolled blood sugars, who might be at risk, and some essential strategies to help stabilize these levels.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>The Importance of Balanced Blood Sugar<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balancing your blood sugar is not just a concern for people with diabetes; it is essential for everyone. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels provides benefits such as improved energy, mental clarity, weight management, and long-term health.\u00a0 Ever feel shaky, like you need to sit down- that\u2019s low blood sugar for example.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Uncontrolled Blood Sugars: The Risks<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can have a profound impact on your health. Check out some of the issues you might encounter:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complications for Diabetics: For individuals with diabetes, uncontrolled blood sugars can lead to a host of complications, including nerve damage, kidney disease, heart problems, vision impairment, and poor wound healing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight Management: High blood sugar levels are often accompanied by insulin resistance, making it difficult to lose weight. However, prolonged high blood sugars can actually lead to unexplained weight loss. Unexplained changes in weight are never a good thing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Energy Levels: Fluctuating blood sugar levels can result in energy highs and lows, causing fatigue, mood swings, and a lack of productivity.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardiovascular Health: Prolonged periods of high blood sugar are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, as it can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits in blood vessels.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health: Unstable blood sugar levels can negatively impact mental health, leading to symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and depression.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How to Stabilize Blood Sugars<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we understand the risks associated with uncontrolled blood sugars, let&#8217;s discuss some essential strategies to help stabilize them:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose Whole Foods<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Opt for whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. These foods are digested more slowly, leading to more stable blood sugar levels.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portion Control<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating, which can lead to blood sugar spikes.\u00a0 There\u2019s a big difference between 1 cup of pasta and the never-ending pasta at Olive Garden\u2026.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular Meals and Snacks<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Eating at consistent times throughout the day can help maintain stable blood sugar levels.\u00a0 Plus this helps prevent overeating at any given meal.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fiber Is Your Friend<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: High-fiber foods, like legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, can slow down the absorption of sugar and help keep blood sugar levels steady.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical Activity<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to regulate blood sugar levels.\u00a0 Bonus, going for a walk after meals can help blood sugars even more.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress Management<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Practice stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, to help keep stress-induced blood sugar spikes in check.\u00a0 I know, stress management- easier said than done, but it really does help.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balancing blood sugar levels is important whether you have a diagnosed condition, or simply want to maintain good health.\u00a0 Following a balanced diet, staying physically active, and managing stress are key to achieving stable blood sugars. If you are concerned about your blood sugar levels consult a healthcare professional and ask for your A1c to be checked (this is a three month average of your blood sugars).\u00a0 If you want some guidance for your diet, speak to a registered dietitian who can help you on your journey to optimal health. Remember, by taking control of your blood sugar levels, you are taking a vital step towards a healthier and happier life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With that being said, we want to help you right now.\u00a0 We\u2019ve created a breakfast guide for blood sugar control.\u00a0 Breakfast is the most important meal of the day (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">especially for blood sugars!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and it\u2019s the easiest place to start.\u00a0 Then you move onto lunch, and dinner\u2026 you see where I\u2019m going with this.\u00a0 So, if you want some help in the breakfast department, or maybe just to double check what you\u2019re already eating, we got you.\u00a0 Download our free \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/expert-architect-821.ck.page\/90289a8995\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roadmap to Balance Your Blood Sugars with Breakfast Guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d.\u00a0 Enjoy!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay Happy, Stay Healthy<\/span><\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-643\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?resize=174%2C134&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?resize=300%2C231&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?resize=1024%2C789&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?resize=768%2C592&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?resize=1536%2C1184&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-7.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 174px) 100vw, 174px\" \/><br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This blog was written by Chris Henigan MS, RD, LDN, co-founder of Simple Start Nutrition.\u00a0 For more blog posts and nutrition information follow @simplestartnutrition on Instagram and Facebook.\u00a0 Also feel free to contact us, by visiting our website (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simplestartnutrition.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to schedule an appointment to discuss your nutrition related needs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><br \/><br \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c62584f elementor-post-navigation-borders-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"c62584f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/?p=1272\" rel=\"prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-prev\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Prev<\/span><\/span><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--label\">Previous<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--title\">Is Popcorn a Healthy Snack?<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/?p=1284\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__next\"><span class=\"post-navigation__next--label\">Next<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__next--title\">It\u2019s Thanksgiving: Here Are Fun Facts to Share at Your Table, How to Build Your Plate and What to Do With Your Leftovers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-next\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blood sugar, or glucose, is the body&#8217;s primary source of energy. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health and well-being. As a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestartnutrition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-37.png?fit=1640%2C924&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1278"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1283,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1278\/revisions\/1283"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestartnutrition.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}