Diabetes Awareness:
With Western diet changing so hugely since the late 1970’s causing a rise in Obesity, heart disease and mainly diabetes, even in our children
Obesity has spread like a virus with lifestyles changing so greatly over this time, with more and more people eating out, and over indulging, as well as the ‘fat free’ way of life being instilled into us, encouraging us to eat more and more fat free, yet sugar loaded products
Suddenly we are in an era, where plus size models, muffin tops and cellulite is being shouted out loud and proud
The rise in carb intake from 1980 was over 20% where people were encouraged to eat more refined carbs, and fibre levels dropped drastically
So What is Diabetes?
There are 2 types of Diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age but usually appears before the age of 40, and especially in childhood. It is where the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells responsible for blood sugar control.
Type 2 diabetes is brought on through poor nutrition (high sugar intake) and lifestyle choices, resulting in weight gain.
So how does over eating sugar cause Type 2 Diabetes?
Well when we eat, specifically carbs, which get broken down in the gut to release sugar, our body (pancreas) responds by releasing the blood sugar regulating hormone Insulin.
Insulin’s job is to reduce blood sugar to a safe level, it does this by pushing the energy into hungry cells like muscles that need the sugar.
Unfortunately, an unhealthy, high carb / sugar intake diet, means that Insulin is being released constantly and so eventually the body becomes resistant to its signal
I like to compare this effect like a room with a bad smell, once you walk in, the smell is terrible, but after a few minutes you become used to or resistant to it.
That’s exactly what happens with Insulin
When blood sugar keeps going up, the pancreas keeps responding by releasing more and more Insulin
When the muscles become insulin resistant, the fat cells don’t and so Insulin is able to dump the excess sugar into the fat cells, where it stores and thus has a huge impact on weight gain.
The more energy that’s stored into the fat cells, means the less the rest of the body is getting. Thus when the muscles are low on energy, they send that signal back to the brain, who in turn signals for us to eat more
Vicious circle all day long
The other problem is that Insulin does not have a gauge as to how much sugar to dump, it just takes a chunk and dumps it
This can then leave us low on energy. Light headed and craving more sugar, which we then eat, and trigger off the same Insulin response again
As you can see this is a no win situation!
As humans we see this slump of energy, mood and dizzy light headed feeling, as a sign for sugar intake, when really by choosing protein or veggies, we can balance blood sugar better, maintain energy levels and prevent hunger and cravings
We DO NOT always need sugar!
Type 2 Diabetes can actually be reversed with a change in diet, and exercise, yet people take the easy option and become Insulin dependant
A typical diet for Type 2 Diabetics is high sugar cereals for breakfast, chips, pizza, cakes, biscuits and fizzy sodas or sugary drinks throughout the day, with limited veg and protein and vary low food in its natural form, usually man made, refined foods with lots of additives and preservatives and sugar to bump up the taste
By changing this, choosing eggs, lean meats and veggies for breakfast, salads or soups for lunch, and meat / fish and veggies with wholemeal rice or sweet potato for dinner, with snacks of nuts, veggies, proteins, and replacing sugary drinks for water, you can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes drastically
This will also have a knock-on effect on the rest of your health, reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, improved energy, mood, and overall improved function and performance of your body
Sugar is the enemy!
And even in the form of fruit, if we are continually eating fruit all day long it has the same impact on Insulin response, which is negative on the body
So guys please be aware of sugar, and read more about what you are eating, so many people do not check food labels and just automatically go for ‘low fat’ ‘diet’ products, that are laced with high levels of sugar to boost flavour and taste
For some yummy, healthy, low carb recipes, check out my Recipe Book HERE https://emmajprobert.leadpages.co/e-book/
And keep posted for me FREE 28 day programme coming very soon!
Keep fit, happy and healthy. Invest in yourself. Remember health is wealth
Emma xx