EEK! I Ate a Bunch of Sugar! It’s that time of year! You’re bound to eat some sugar… Don’t beat yourself up! Occasionally it is nice to enjoy yourself! Especially when celebrating the holidays with your family. But what if you don’t want the side effects of eating too much sugar causes? That could be an energy crash about an hour later, hot flashes for women in menopause, rising blood pressure, or a major spike in insulin.
If you’d like to curb these effects, try the following! These options help lower your blood sugar spike or the glycemic load on the body post-meal. If you know you are going to indulge in a higher-carb meal, then trying any of these options prior to a meal and post-meal can be beneficial in lowering the effects of sugar on the body.
Start your day out right with a high-protein breakfast if you know you will be indulging later in the day. This starts your blood sugars out on the right path 1st thing!
Intermittent fasting can also be helpful – Don’t make your 1st meal a high-carb meal. Break your fast with some high-fat protein.
10 minutes of exercise before and after a meal can help curb an insulin spike. Before your meal, it helps the carbs to be deposited into muscles and liver instead of fat cells. Post-meal exercise has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. You can take a brisk walk or an indoor treadmill, rower, or bike if it’s cold outside. You can do quick bodyweight exercises that raise your heart rate, like squats, pushups, jumping jacks, jump rope, and rebounder…. Etc.
Caution: don’t use this as an “excuse” to eat more sugar.
Herbs that help!
- Ceylon Cinnamon (although any cinnamon will work): A teaspoon in your coffee in the morning… In some warm milk, mixed with ACV, or even better with your Chamomile tea.
- Herbal Bitters
- Bitters can help lower the insulin spike. They also help stimulate digestive enzymes if taken 20 min prior to meals. They can help to eat less also.
- Bitter Melon Extract
- Any Cocktail Bitters
- Strong Cup of Chamomile Tea: 2 Bags or 2 Tsp of Chamomile in 8oz Water. Steep for 30 min and drink before and after meals.
Supplements that help.
- Chromium
- Alpha Lipoic acid
Other things to help.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 Tablespoon. Helps increase digestive enzymes to break down food.
If you find you are craving sugar all the time, I will talk about that next week on what to do to curb the sugar cravings!
I’m a Health Coach and Clinical Herbalist who helps you conquer stress and sugar addictions.
