Too Much Sugar This Weekend?

There are several times of year when you’ll really want to re-think your consumption of sugary sweets… and this may be one of those days! The sugar rush and crash that comes with holidays that revolve around candy, cookies and other treats can really mess with your productivity and your stomach. I’m Wendy Corr, and in today’s wellness tip, I’ll help you overcome the effects of too much sugar.

Most of us are familiar with the physical and emotional rollercoaster that comes with eating sweets. Here’s what happens – as soon as you put a sweet in your mouth, you get a surge of dopamine, a feel-good hormone that has addictive properties. The pancreas releases insulin to control the blood glucose levels, which suppresses the hormone that tells you you’ve had enough food… so your brain thinks you need more, and you grab another handful of candy. But because glucose is rapidly digested, your dopamine spike and blood sugar level crash quickly.

But don’t reach for another candy bar to get another jolt of energy! Eating food with other nutrients helps to ward off that sugar crash, and gets you off that roller coaster.

For example, a handful of nuts will give you fat and protein to slow digestion – or choose hummus with raw veggies, which has fiber that slows the absorption of those simple sugars.

The day after a binge, prepare a low-sugar, balanced breakfast that includes protein and fat, with a low carb count. The protein and fat keep you full, and because of your overindulgence the day before, your body still has plenty of carbs for energy.

And while coffee is okay, the sugar and cream we tend to put into the beverage is not. Drink it black, or have a cup of tea instead.

Exercise can also help, because your muscles will USE that sugar, instead of just storing it. And it doesn’t need to be a full blown workout – just a 15 minute walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can reduce your blood sugar levels.

And finally, ditch the leftovers. Donate it or bring it to work so others can take it off your hands. If it’s in your line of sight, you’re much more likely to reach for the bad stuff, and the cycle starts all over again.

Thanks for tuning in to Wellness with Wendy! For more health and wellness news and advice, follow my blog on mybighornbasin.com. See you again next time for Wellness with Wendy!