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Holiday Pressures Getting You Down? Consider Your Blood Sugar

By HERWriter
 
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Healthy Eating related image Photo: Getty Images

You may think that if you're not diabetic, you're in good shape as far as your blood sugar is concerned. But that just isn't necessarily the case.

Blood sugar is an up and down affair all day every day. For some people, physical predispositions make it more chaotic, or less so. And for some, food choices make all the difference in the world.

This time of year, blood sugar tends to get a run for its money. Even people who are normally conscious and conscientious of what they put in their mouths may go overboard in the decadence department.

The thing about blood sugar that's too high or too low for too long is that it can have a real physical, mental and/or psychological effect on you that will last or deepen until you get that blood sugar smoothed out again.

This isn't abstract charts and numbers. It'll hit you where you live.

Ever gotten light-headed when you've gone for too many hours without stopping to eat? Ever fainted because of it?

Crazy blood sugar can start shouting matches and fist-fights. And the only fix is eating something that will repair the balance.

So, what's a poor girl to do when holiday fare beckons? She can be a smart girl and pick her battles. Everybody's got their own weak spots and out-right addictions, but some general rules of thumb apply.

Protein helps level out blood sugar and most vegetables will not cause a flap either. Healthy fats also leave you content longer, without pestering the blood sugar. Mostly the troublemakers are carbohydrates in various forms, and when mixed with the protein, vegetables and fats that I was just praising ... well, they can help devise some pretty unhealthy concoctions. Try to strike up only a passing acquaintance with this type of dish.

Gotta have some of that delectable dessert? Snag a piece of turkey first, that will help keep your blood sugar stabilized longer. Have some celery sticks or cucumber spears beforehand while you're at it. And, maybe just have one dessert rather than two.

Love holiday eggnog? Sure, have some. And then have a glass of water with a lemon slice. It's nice and alkaline, soothing to a digestive tract that may have been under attack and underappreciated for an extended period, with -- I might add -- no possibility of an end in sight.

So, eat some protein and some healthy fats, and always eat your (non-starchy) veggies. Then when the Holiday Cravings blow into town ... a little indulgence won't throw you off-balance.

Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger

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Jody Smith
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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