This is why you should be eating more yogurt
Don’t let blood sugar crash
If you’ve ever eaten dessert on an empty stomach, chances are you’ve experienced what’s known as a blood sugar “crash.” This occurs because your body responds to the sudden influx of sugar in your system by releasing too much of the hormone insulin, which causes your blood sugar, also known as glucose, to plummet below normal levels. Though this occurrence isn’t usually anything to be overly concerned about if it doesn’t happen often, it’s a good reminder that what we eat affects how we feel.
Who needs to lower blood sugar?
Some people need to monitor their blood sugar levels a lot more than others. People with diabetes, for instance, have to constantly check their blood sugar levels and need to be especially mindful of what they eat. “People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance, which means their tissues don’t respond well to insulin,” explains Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and professor of nutrition and medicine at Tufts University. Because of this, he says, “blood glucose levels can rise very high while the tissues starve from lack of energy.”
How to manage blood sugar
People without diabetes can similarly watch what they eat and do other things to avoid the effects of having too much sugar in their bloodstream. Healthy weight management and getting regular exercise have proven to maximize insulin sensitivity and keep blood sugar levels in a normal range.
It’s also important to minimize the consumption of ultra-processed foods, refined carbs such as pasta, white rice, and white bread and to avoid foods with too many added sugars. Along with avoiding the wrong foods, it’s critical to also eat foods known to help with healthy blood sugar management. “Eat more fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds,” advises Mozaffarian. He also recommends “eating more healthy fats, proteins and carbs from foods like plant oils, fish and yogurt.”
