Food Pairing vs. Glycemic Index

💥 How to use food pairing for blood sugar balance ⬇️⬇️

Food pairing is a way to combine 2 or more foods in a single meal or snack to support a healthy blood sugar response—rather than a quick sugar spike.

If you’ve heard of the glycemic index, the idea is similar but more practical.

Whereas the glycemic index gives an idea of how much a specific food will raise blood glucose levels, some perfectly healthy foods (like grapes and pineapple) have a high glycemic index.

With food pairing, it’s possible to still eat foods with a high glycemic index as long as they are paired with foods that slow their digestion and absorption.

Cool?

Studies show that the blood sugar response to carbohydrate-rich foods can be lowered by combining them with…

⭐ Protein, fat, fiber, or vinegar ⭐

Like this:

🍇 Grapes & Cheese

🥕 Carrots & Hummus

🍏 Apples & Almond Butter

🍅 Tomatoes & Olive Oil & Vinegar

Just remember: when it comes to blood sugar regulation, each person is unique. It’s always best to test and to work with a practitioner on a diet and plan that is specific to you!

🌱 Get started at our practice through the link in our bio!

Reference

Murillo S, Mallol A, Adot A, et al. Culinary strategies to manage glycemic response in people with type 2 diabetes: A narrative review. Front Nutr. 2022;9:1025993. [link]

Tired of Talking About Food? Try These Things.

For anyone wanting better blood sugar regulation ➡️

While foods have a big effect on blood sugar, so do other lifestyle choices! Here are 5 non-food-related ways to support healthy blood sugar balance:

✅ Daily Movement 🤸‍♀️

✅ Walks After Meals 🚶‍♀️

✅ 7+ Hours of Sleep 😴

✅ Plenty of Water 💧

✅ Stress Management 🧘‍♀️

Nothing happens in isolation.

That’s why we always take a whole-body, whole-person, and whole-life approach to healing.

📲Tag a friend in the comments who might want to hear this!

Breakfast: The Triple Threat?

3 things that impact blood sugar in the morning ⬇️⬇️

If you’re being proactive to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, here’s what you need to know about that morning meal:

1️⃣ Cortisol

The natural circadian rhythm will cause an elevation of cortisol first thing in the morning to help you feel awake and alert. Cortisol is a stress hormone that also increases blood sugar levels. That means your morning meal may result in a higher blood sugar response than meals later in the day.

2️⃣ Carbs

When your stomach is empty, there is nothing to slow the digestion and absorption of carbs. That’s why it’s even more important at this time of day to not eat carbs alone.

3️⃣ Caffeine

Even though black coffee has no sugar, the caffeine triggers the release of the stress chemical, adrenaline. One effect of adrenaline is to trigger the release of glucose from liver cells into the bloodstream, effectively elevating blood sugar levels.

Did any of these surprise you?

Comment with your biggest takeaway ⤵️

Reference

Reis CEG, Dórea JG, da Costa THM. Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: A systematic review of clinical trials. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(3):184-191. [link]

How to Sabotage Your Blood Sugar (For Real)

❌ Stop doing these things If you want healthy blood sugar regulation.

Lots of times people come to me with concerns about their blood sugar, and they’re already doing a lot of things *right*

They know they need to eat a healthy balance of macronutrients and to move their bodies every day, but here are some surprising things many people don’t realize can spike their blood sugar and sabotage their efforts.

1️⃣ Eating Carbs Alone

Without protein, fiber, or fat, carbs are quickly digested and cause a sudden spike in blood sugar.

2️⃣ Eating While Stressed

Stress hormones signal cells in the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream as an energy source to face the perceived threat. That’s not helpful if real sugar is also coming in the form of food.

3️⃣ Coffee on Empty Stomach

Coffee triggers the release of adrenaline (a stress signal), which signals cells to release sugar into the bloodstream. This can set the stage for poor blood sugar regulation for the day.

4️⃣ Dinner Late at Night

Food is meant to be digested and then utilized for energy. If you eat a large meal right before bed, the excess energy will be stored as fat or disrupt blood sugar levels in the night.

5️⃣ Sleep Deprivation

Studies show that even one night of sleep deprivation can worsen insulin resistance the next day.

What did I miss?

Have you noticed other surprising things that disrupt your blood sugar?

Reference

Singh T, Ahmed TH, Mohamed N, et al. Does Insufficient Sleep Increase the Risk of Developing Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022;14(3):e23501. [link]

Targeted Nutrients (Blood Sugar Edition)

Nutrients to Support Blood Sugar ⬇️⬇️

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is one of the best ways to optimize your hormones, brain health, energy levels, and overall well-being.

While blood sugar responds to the macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbs) in your diet, it also depends on 💥micronutrients💥 for regulation.

Such as (in no specific order)...

✅ B Vitamins

✅ Magnesium

✅ Chromium

✅ Zinc

✅ Omega-3’s

✅ Vitamin E

✅ Vitamin D

Each of these nutrients carry out specific functions related to blood sugar, but many support the action of insulin or the enzymes needed for energy metabolism.

So what?

So this means that eating nutrient-dense foods is just as important as balancing out carbs with protein, fat, and fiber.

If you are looking for targeted support for your blood sugar, metabolism, or energy, we can help.

🥾 Take the first step through the link in our bio.

#nutritionformetabolism #nutrientsupport #nutrientdensity #nutritionalsupport #elementsnatmed

Reference

Basiri R, Seidu B, Cheskin LJ. Key Nutrients for Optimal Blood Glucose Control and Mental Health in Individuals with Diabetes: A Review of the Evidence. Nutrients. 2023;15(18):3929. [link]