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Do you get light headed and cranky a few hours after eating a highly processed meal or when it’s been a while since you last ate? I’m not talking about the slow slide into hangriness. I’m talking one minute you are fine and the next you feel like you may pass out. Oh–and you turn into a dragon. That’s how I feel when my blood sugar is low. It’s also why I place such an emphasis in healthy snacking.
My last pregnancy was marked by insulin resistance and blood sugar issues. I had to meet with a dietitian to discuss the best foods to eat, when to eat them, and how to combine food types to prevent blood sugar fluctuations.
The key to feeling well is to eat complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat at regular intervals to maintain a level blood sugar.
I am at high risk for developing Type 2 due to my insulin resistance which is one of the reasons I started working out and eating less simple carbs. Maintaining a healthy weight and managing how many grams of simple starches I eat are necessary for keeping my heart healthy.
Low blood sugar feels terrible. High blood sugar isn’t as easy to detect but is incredibly damaging to your body.
So though I am no longer pregnant, I incorporate what I learned while pregnant into my life now to prevent sugar
How to control carbohydrate consumption with healthy snacking
Eat a well balanced snack every couple of hours.
Eating a high fat or protein with a carbohydrate slows down your body’s metabolism of the glucose in the carbohydrate so that the sugar doesn’t hit your blood stream as quickly. Some examples of healthy snacks are:
- small serving of fruit and cheese
- peanut butter on graham crackers
- vegetables and hummus
For a free printable shopping list click here.
Limit sugary drinks
Sugary drinks are infamous for causing energy spikes that bottom out and leave you more tired than you were before.
Eat a snack before you go to bed
This one always seemed self-defeating to me. How does eating before bed help your metabolism? A small snack at bedtime keeps your sugar levels even, leading to better sleep.
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†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.
Intentionally snacking can help you lose weight! Your body needs fuel to meet your daily demands and when it doesn’t get the right fuel regularly, it starts stockpiling–by creating fat cells. Providing the right amount and types of fuel, along with supplements that aid your body in using the glucose efficiently will help you burn fat, and feel good!
ǂ Based on US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey
What are some healthy snack options that you love? We’d love to get your ideas in the comments. For a free printable of 50 of my favorite snack options make sure you subscribe here.
Mary Leigh says
This is a really helpful post. I also have issues when my blood sugar starts to get low in that I feel terrible. It’s good to be conscious of what foods to eat and when to help your body not only perform better, but also just feel better.