Blood Sugar and Mood

Does Blood Sugar Impact Mood?

Have you ever found yourself getting hangry (hungry and angry at the same time)? If so, then you have experienced one of the ways blood sugar imbalance can impact our mood. When your blood sugar gets either too high or too low, it signals a chain reaction in the body that impacts a variety of things. For the sake of this post, we are going to be focusing on the Endocrine System.

The Endocrine System is all about hormones. Metabolism, energy balance, sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythms), fertility, digestion, circulation and the Immune System are all regulated by the Endocrine System. Our hormones, play an integral role in creating balance and harmony within the body. By supporting blood sugar regulation and adrenal health, we can help normalize hormonal imbalances that may be impacting our mood.🧐

Refined sugars and a high glycemic diet can also be major culprits of chronic stress in the body. This chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, depression, inflammation, etc…

So in short, yes, blood sugar could be impacting your mood. So what do we do about that?

Some tips for balancing blood sugar: 

-Focus on eating whole, nutrient-dense foods, and a balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber. 

-Incorporate mindfulness and stress reduction techniques throughout the week to reduce stressors on the body. (this relieves stress on the adrenals)

-Cut back on refined sugars and replace them with alternative natural sweeteners that don’t spike blood sugar–like honey or maple syrup. Fruit is also a great replacement for refined sugar and can be a balanced snack when combined with nuts or nut butter. 

-Incorporate foods or drinks that reduce inflammation like rooibos tea and vitamin C rich foods like bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes,  and raspberries. 

-Eat foods rich in B vitamins like high quality red meat, dairy, wild salmon, oranges, and dark leafy greens.