Blood GlucoseWhen there's too much sugar in the diet or your body isn't efficient at clearing it and using it for fuel, blood glucose levels can rise and lead to insulin resistance and Type II Diabetes. Testing blood glucose levels (or, how much sugar is in the blood) helps screen for diabetes. Type I Diabetes is usually inherited or genetic, but Type II Diabetes is almost always a result of poor diet and lifestyle habits.
The current diet of the average American consists of large amounts of packaged convenience food items. Unfortunately, they are almost always filled with these metabolism-bombs:
The goal with blood sugar is to make sure it gets absorbed and utilized slowly so there aren’t any unnecessary spikes or dips. You can do this by replacing highly processed foods with whole foods options by aiming to fill at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal, sourcing your carbohydrates from vegetables rather than grains, and incorporating healthy fats, which will also aid in satiety.
Physical activity will help to lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and also by stimulating mechanisms within the body that trigger the cells to take up glucose and use it for energy.