It’s easy to get caught up in the details when you’re trying to control blood sugar. When did you last eat? What should you eat? Can you eat that?
It can all be a major stressor.
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But are there ways to control blood sugar without really thinking about? There are valid arguments to suggest that you can, with a little bit of early effort. Then it all becomes routine.
Taking an overall approach to blood sugar management is probably the best strategy. So, what does that look like? It looks like a few little habits that can keep you from getting too hungry and your blood sugar dropping or spiking to drastically throughout the day.
Starting your day with protein and a fiber-rich breakfast can help set things off right. Including some healthy fats can also help. Each of these things can help keep you full, keep your metabolism humming, and keep blood sugar levels in check.
If you’re in a rush, a really easy breakfast to help you check all those boxes is a serving of quick oats, a scoop of whey protein powder, and some berries and nuts.
The next thing is knowing that after breakfast, your blood sugar will generally need a boost in roughly four hours. How you approach this is key. You could reach for a pastry or candy bar—something to tide you over for a bit.
But that will do little for you. It will send blood sugar skyrocketing before a crash, leaving you hungry again within an hour.
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So, plan accordingly instead. When you’re feeling energy fading, opt for an apple or some other form of fiber-rich fruit. Pair it with some Greek yogurt or nuts, and it will give you the gas you need. Repeat the process a few hours later, so on and so forth.
The decision to eat a protein and fiber-rich breakfast and to acknowledge that blood sugar will naturally decline in four hours or so can help you keep blood sugar under control.
You can feed yourself a low-sugar, satiating snack every few hours to maintain safe levels and help you feel good throughout the day.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
