How to Balance Blood Sugar Naturally

Blood sugar can be complicated. But one thing is clear: an imbalance can send you on a roller coaster ride, and not the fun kind—these twists and turns look more like fatigue, irritability, dizziness, and other discomfort that can affect your daily life.¹

With Halloween around the corner, most people understand that eating too much candy will cause blood sugar to rise; however, did you know that a bagel isn’t much better than a brownie when it comes to blood sugar balance?²  Let’s go over why, and unlock some other secrets to controlling your blood glucose levels along the way. 

Balancing Blood Glucose Levels

Blood sugar is created when the body breaks down food into glucose, a type of sugar. When this happens, glucose is released into the bloodstream and becomes the body’s main source of energy.³ 

But it’s not just sugar that increases blood sugar levels. Any food or drink that contains carbohydrates will raise blood sugar because the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which stimulates the release of insulin so cells can absorb the glucose.⁴

The American Diabetes Association cites these foods as potentially harmful to blood sugar:

• white bread
• pasta
• rice
• potato chips
• breakfast cereal
• processed baked goods
• starchy vegetables like corn and peas

So instead of a doughnut or bagel for breakfast, opt for avocado toast on whole wheat bread or oatmeal with nuts to help create a more balanced blood sugar response.

Here are some other good foods for blood sugar control:⁵

• Non-starchy vegetables (asparagus, cucumber, carrots, broccoli, and salad greens)
• Whole grain foods (brown rice, quinoa, and whole grain bread, pita and tortillas)
• Healthy fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds)
• High protein foods (fish, poultry, beans, and lentils)

Monitoring your food is key to blood sugar balance. But, luckily, certain nutrients can also help.

Fuel Stability with Nutrients

The reason diet is so important is because foods contain key nutrients that can help balance blood sugar. Sometimes, however, it can be hard to get these key nutrients from diet alone. Taking a dietary supplement to help support balanced blood sugar may be the right path.

Some key nutrients to support blood sugar balance include:⁶

• chromium
• vitamin B6
• zinc

Research also shows that cinnamon can help support healthy blood sugar levels in people with blood sugar in the normal range.⁷ Likewise, alpha lipoic acid can help support optimal glucose metabolism and balanced blood sugar.⁸

KAL Blood Sugar Defense features a synergistic blend of these nutrients, plus ActivTab™ technology for quicker absorption.*

With the right blend of delicious foods and powerful nutrients, you can totally take charge of your blood sugar balance! It’s all about making smart choices that keep you feeling great and energized. So, let’s embrace those tasty options and nourish our bodies—your blood sugar will thank you. 

For more tips on nutrition, mindful wellness practices, and how to build a bedrock of wellness that lasts, follow us on Facebook @kalvits and Instagram at @kalvitamins! 

References

1. Mouri M, Badireddy M. Hyperglycemia. StatPearls. 2023;Apr 24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430900/?report=reader#_NBK430900_pubdet_
2. Berg S. Foods that spike a patient’s blood glucose are not what you think. JAMA Network. 2023;Jan 30. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/diabetes/foods-spike-patient-s-blood-glucose-are-not-what-you-think
3. National Institutes of Health. Blood glucose. MedlinePlus. 2024;Mar 6. https://medlineplus.gov/bloodglucose.html
4. American Diabetes Association. Understanding carbs. Accessed 2024, Sept 23. https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/understanding-carbs
5. Fletcher J. Which food types help stabilize insulin and blood sugar? Medical News Today. 2024;Jan 26. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323529
6. Basiri R, Seidu B, Cheskin LJ. Key nutrients for optimal blood glucose control and mental health in individuals with diabetes: a review of the evidence. Nutrients. 2023;15(18). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10536295/
7. Kizilaslan N, Erdem N. The effect of different amounts of cinnamon consumption on blood glucose in healthy adults. Int J Food Sci. 2019;2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6425402/
8. Capece U, Moffa S, Improta I, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid and glucose metabolism: a comprehensive update on biochemical and therapeutic features. Nutrients. 2023;15(1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9824456/