#1 thing to do for effective blood sugar balance

Do you struggle with the famous "afternoon slump"? Wished you could stop overeating in the evening? Or perhaps you're just constantly grazing on sweets and not sure how to stop?

If that sounds like you, chances are your blood sugar levels need a little bit of attention.

Our bodies thrive on balance and chronic lack of balance may result in your body ‘going on a strike’ in one area or another. Whether you’d love some more energy, less stress and anxiety or better sleep, blood sugar balance is the answer.

‘Blood sugar balance’ sounds like it has a lot to do with sugar, right?

Not quite. It’s much bigger than just the sugar consumption itself. In fact, it’s how your body takes up glucose and regulates energy. And because this fluctuation of energy affects every single system of your body, you want to make sure you do everything you possibly can to manage it naturally.

Aim to keep your blood sugar fluctuations through the day to small consistent waves, rather than tsunami crashes, as it’s easier for the body to manage energy, moods and other functions that way.

Because your daily life quality and your long-term health depends on it.

Simply put, the quality, quantity and timing of what you put in your body and how you are affected by the external environment will have a direct effect on your blood sugar. Some foods, drinks and activities may make your blood sugar spike, e.g. having a chocolate pastry with coffee for breakfast, while you’re super stressed in traffic during your morning commute.

Although consistency is key when managing blood sugar levels, each day presents you with a chance to break the cycle or keep surfing the waves, only getting you to the same place over and over again. The choice is yours.

And because blood sugar gets out of balance through the night (due to detoxification that happens as you sleep), HOW you start your day can paint a picture for how the rest of your day will go, whether you’re driven by cravings and energy crashes.

This is why your mum was right- breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, that has to be balanced, nutritious and substantial to get your ready to handle pretty much anything.

But that is not all.

If you struggle with energy crashes, cravings and mood swings, make sure that you have your breakfast 1-1.5h after waking. It’s oh too common to miss breakfast and then watch the day escalate into a cocktail of highs and lows, eventually ending in a blur, only to start all over again tomorrow.

And although eating breakfast and being consistently regular at doing so WILL bring considerably more balance to your energy, stress levels and moods, it equally matters WHAT you eat.

Breakfast packed with sugar, high in simple carbs, processed food- all will cause a huge blood sugar spike, but won’t keep you balanced for the rest of the day. Make sure your breakfast is packed with good quality protein, such as eggs or a plant-based protein powder, as well as slow release complex carbs, such as oats, buckwheat, quinoa and etc. And of course, don’t miss out the quality fats, that will keep you full and satisfied for longer.

So if you’re confused about what to have for breakfast, use some of my favourite breakfast options for inspiration:

Toasted rye bread with avocado, boiled egg and chili powder
Sugar-free overnight oats with protein powder, berries and seeds
Coconut cinnamon granola with coconut yoghurt
Breakfast banana pancakes with protein powder
Huevos rancheros Mexican eggs.

And if you simply don’t feel hungry for breakfast, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need breakfast- it might just mean that your body isn’t used to it anymore. In only one week of eating breakfasts you will start feeling hungry for it.

And only in one week, watch your energy, moods and stress levels calm down.

Who knows, you might even rediscover that you’re a morning person?