Why You Should Care About Blood Sugar According to a Registered Dietician

If you’re looking to improve your energy levels or lose weight, you might want to start by managing your blood sugar. 

Managing your blood sugar levels is not only important for health reasons such as preventing diabetes, but it can help you feel energized and more focused throughout the day. Plus, keeping stable blood sugar levels can help you achieve your weight loss goals more easily. Let's explore why this matters and how it impacts your daily life.

What Does It Mean To Regulate Blood Sugar?

When you eat a meal containing carbohydrates, they get broken down into glucose, a type of sugar. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the brain and your muscles. As your blood sugar levels increase, your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps your cells take in glucose from the blood for energy. As blood sugar levels decrease, the pancreas releases glucagon, a hormone that tells the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream to stabilize blood sugar levels. (Source)

Why Managing Blood Sugar Matters

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is vital for overall health (Source) and has many benefits: 

• Sustained energy throughout the day
• Enhanced focus and productivity 
• Reduced risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease
• Effective weight management 
• Better mood regulation and reduced mood swings
• Improved sleep quality and regulation of sleep patterns

How Blood Sugar Impacts Energy Levels

Ever find yourself feeling tired and sluggish, struggling to stay focused even after a full night's sleep? Your blood sugar levels could be the culprit. Fluctuations in blood sugar significantly impact energy levels. Consuming sugary foods or refined carbohydrates like pastries, cookies, or white bread can lead to a rapid spike in blood sugar, resulting in what's commonly known as a 'sugar rush.’ This surge in energy is short-lived, often followed by a crash, leaving you feeling tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate. (Source 1, Source 2)

How To Prevent ‘Sugar Crashes’

One way to prevent dips in energy levels after eating carbohydrates is to consume high-fiber, non-refined carbs such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes such as beans and lentils. These foods contain fiber, which promotes slow absorption of the sugars. (Source) Another strategy is to combine carbohydrate foods with a source of protein or healthy fats, which also slow sugar absorption and help to keep steady blood glucose levels, providing long-lasting energy.

How Blood Sugar Affects Your Weight

Blood sugar regulation plays a crucial role in weight management. Fluctuations disrupt hunger hormones, triggering increased appetite and cravings for calorie-dense foods. Unstable levels also hinder your body’s ability to use energy from foods and can promote fat storage, making weight loss challenging. (Source) Additionally, persistent high blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance, where cells become less responsive to insulin signals to take up glucose for energy. (Source) This can further exacerbate weight gain and difficulty in losing weight. By incorporating lifestyle changes such as prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, practicing mindful eating, and engaging in regular exercise, you can support weight management more sustainably.

5 Ways to Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels goes beyond just what you eat. Here's how you can keep your blood sugar in check and work towards your weight goals:

How Metavo Can Help

Metavo's Metabolism Booster Smoothie Mix  and  Metabolism Booster Capsules are formulated with key ingredients like AvoB and chromium, designed to support healthy blood sugar levels. Derived from avocados, AvoB has been shown to regulate glucose metabolism and keep blood sugar levels stable. Chromium, an essential mineral, enhances the action of insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. Whether you blend the smoothie mix into your morning smoothie or take the capsules as a supplement, these products provide a science-based solution for managing blood sugar and keeping a healthy weight. 

About the Author

Carolina Schneider, MS, RD, the founder of Hungry for Plants, is a seasoned Registered Dietitian specializing in plant-based nutrition, with nearly a decade of adherence to a whole-food, vegan diet. Leveraging her journalism, marketing, and public relations background, she excels in crafting compelling nutrition content that elevates health and wellness brands in the consumer's eye. Hailing from Brazil and fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, Carolina's educational foundation in Journalism and Public Relations, coupled with her extensive marketing experience in the food industry, positions her uniquely to enhance brand visibility and loyalty. Her Master of Science degree in Nutrition & Dietetics underpins her profound commitment to nutrition science, enabling her to guide companies in highlighting the nutritional value of their offerings and assisting individuals in achieving better health and wellbeing through diet.