What causes unstable blood sugar ?

When too much sugar is eaten, there is a surge of the hormone insulin that gets pumped into the blood stream by the pancreas to bring down and remove this large amount of sugar quickly.  In children, we see that they become hyperactive because their body's reaction is very much like putting rocket fuel in a Volkswagen. What also happens is that the body produces adrenalin, up to five times higher than normal. It is that adrenalin that causes the child to become hyperactive. Their blood sugar stays up a while and then crashes resulting in dizziness, fatigue, irritable, anxiety, thirst, depression, aggression and the list goes on.

What can we do about it?

The good thing is that not all sugars found in foods are "bad sugars". Refined sugars (those found in sweets and candy, cakes, cookies and sodas) are those I consider to be the "bad guys."   Avoid these as much as you can.  These are broken down and absorbed into the blood stream very quickly, causing the body's sugar level to soar.  Diabetics can't take refined sugar - it is an unnatural and unnecessary addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

The "good guys" are those sugars and carbohydrates that release slowly into the bloodstream. These are complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, beans, lentils and many fruits.  We should make it a goal to eat these whole grains to maintain even blood sugar levels and avoid an overworked pancreas. 

Tips to keep blood sugar stable

1.        Always have a large bowl of fruit handy, so children can snack whenever they are hungry, even before dinner. Good choices are: berries, cherries, apples and pears. The sweeter fruit like bananas, dates, grapes and raisins raise blood sugar a lot quicker. Give a banana to your child when they are exhausted, especially after heavy sport.
2.        Always remember when you combine a good fat or a protein with your food it has a stabilizing effect on the blood sugar. Almonds or pumpkin seeds with a fruit snack.  For example, combine strawberries with eight almonds to keep full longer. 
3.        Cereals should contain unrefined oats/oatmeal and not "quick cooking" oats.  Try oatmeal for breakfast instead of sugary cereals. Note: Cornflakes have the highest effect on blood sugar - even higher than sugar itself.
4.        Eliminate fizzy drinks from the diet. It's hard to wean children off fizzy, sugary drinks, but it can be done. Eventually they will not enjoy the sweetness. Try to dilute fresh fruit juice with seltzer water or try this from: www.zevia.com - a wonderful alternative to unhealthy sodas.  I also love Sweet Leaf Flavored Stevia Drops. You can find these at My Favorite Things - (803) 920-8363.
5.        Graze, don't gorge. Healthy snacking needs to be encouraged and don't allow your child's blood sugar to become compromised. Frequent, small meals are better so as to avoid blood sugar dips. 

3 cups cooked quinoa

1 red pepper, seeded and chopped into blocks

1 orange pepper, seeded and chopped into blocks

½ cup steamed edamame

½ cup chick peas or garbanzo beans

1 cup sugar snap peas - cut into pieces

¼ cup fresh basil - snipped with scissors

¼ cup sundried tomatoes

2 avocados - cubed

¼ cup chopped red onion (optional) or you could use 3 spring onions - chopped

2 tomatoes, cubed 

Mix together all the ingredients except for the avocado. Chop the avocado and pile in the middle of salad. Squeeze the juice of 1 small lemon and 1 small lime, herbal salt or garlic and herb salt, black pepper to taste. Mix through and serve on a bed of greens.

I love AIM's GlucoChrom!  It is inexpensive and works fantastically.  It takes away your sweet cravings, burns fat, and studies have shown it to be effective in helping to manage the symptoms of depression. This product is one hundred percent natural with no side effects.

AIM GlucoChrom™ is a unique combination of trace minerals and herbs that increase the effective actions of insulin and helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates and fats:

Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels

Alleviates hypoglycemic (low blood-sugar) symptoms

Promotes beneficial effects on blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Increases lean body mass and lower body weight

Helps maintain a healthy lifestyle 

Easter presents a unique spiritual journey to revitalize and renew our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus over this Easter time, I am reminded that:

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
and life is worth the living just because He lives."