Balance Your Blood Sugar With These Spices
If you feel as if you are on a caffeine roller coaster, you are not alone. You are not to blame for your body’s lack of energy, but your blood sugar probably is; that was certainly the case for me years ago. I was UP and DOWN…UP and DOWN…UP and DOWN – and it left me feeling miserable.
Our bodies are not designed to handle the amount of sugar in today’s modern diet. The high glycemic index foods that pervade our diets tend to send our blood sugar through the roof, prompting our pancreas to produce a surge of insulin. This insulin is necessary for removing glucose from the blood into the cells, reducing the blood sugar level.
Our systems are meant to metabolize small, occasional amounts of sugar, much like our ancestors. However, when our breakfast starts with a bagel, waffles, or pancakes and is washed down with a glass of OJ or even a fruit smoothie, our system gets overloaded.
Insulin is constantly being pumped into the bloodstream to keep blood sugar under control. As a result, cells become desensitized to insulin and it is no longer effective; this insulin resistance is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
Fortunately for many people—myself included—insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalance can be kept at bay, and maybe even reversed, with a few simple lifestyle changes.
In my experience, I had an addiction to orange juice. I drank it constantly, THINKING I was doing a good thing. I never read labels and then wondered why I was having daily, very intense hypoglycemic blood sugar drops.
Before I became a Health Coach and had the knowledge that I do today, a specialist I was seeing for infertility issues was the one who told me I needed to quit drinking all that OJ immediately. What a difference that made!
After my health crisis, I was forced to make some very serious lifestyle and diet changes in order to help my body heal. I cleaned up my diet to one consisting of natural foods low in sugar and high in nutrients. I started reading food labels to find hidden sugars and other crap that I did NOT want going into my body.
I incorporated organic vegetables, quality protein sources, nuts, healthy fats, seeds, and organic fruits, and I avoided consuming a lot of processed and packaged foods. I became much more selective in what animal products ate, and ditched all dairy products -- minus organic butter.
But there is something else that can be done to help balance blood sugar: Incorporate SPICES!
1. Cinnamon
One of the best spices for balancing blood sugar, cinnamon contains compounds that promote proper insulin function and help cells metabolize glucose more effectively. It also helps to slow the rate of gastric emptying, which is helpful in lowering the glycemic load consumed. Try adding some to your coffee or tea. I like to use Cinnamon essential oil – which you can add to an empty veggie cap. CLICK HERE to get a bottle.
2. Turmeric
This bright yellow spice contains curcumin, which has been shown to be helpful in weight loss. Turmeric helps increase body heat, which results in a higher metabolism. The spice may also help in the prevention of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease and has been shown effective in balancing women’s hormones during menstruation. Add turmeric to stews, curries, and soups or sprinkle it over nuts and veggies. Not a fan of the taste of this spice? You can get the incredible benefits from this spice in a dual chamber capsule. CLICK HERE to learn more about it! If you’d like to try it in essential oil form, CLICK HERE
3. Cumin
Cumin is an amazingly versatile spice that, when added to your daily diet, may help your body burn more fat while stabilizing your blood sugar and possibly even reversing diabetes. Add it to stews, curries, soups, marinades, or rubs, and in a variety of savory baked goods.
4. Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds and leaves may help support your natural blood sugar control mechanisms and have shown some possible effectiveness in reversing diabetes. Studies have shown that it may also help restore proper hormonal balances. Try roasting the seeds to add to salads or stir-fry, and use the leaves to make a tea.
Remember that healthy eating habits are a BIG part of managing your blood sugar and overall health!!
These common, versatile spices are an easy way to help make your diet even more effective at maintaining your health. Do you have a great recipe to share that incorporates one of the above spices? Care to share? Please do by commenting below!