Low Glycemic Food Choices For Adrenal Fatigue

In addition to affecting the way you feel, adrenal fatigue can have a major impact on your nutritional requirements. Adrenal fatigue causes symptoms such as severe tiredness, disrupted sleeping, disturbed immune system function and low blood sugar levels. Maintaining a stable blood sugar level can become difficult for people with adrenal fatigue. Normally, cortisol would trigger the liver and muscles to release sugars into the bloodstream as required, but people with low levels of the steroid hormone may suffer from a reduced action in this regard. The chances of experiencing low blood sugar, together with symptoms like shaking and dizziness, increase as a result.

Low Glycemic Foods

Patrick Holford, a nutritionist and the founder of the Institute of Optimum Nutrition, says that each food can be given a value based on how quickly it releases its energy into the bloodstream. This value is also known as a glycemic index. Although it varies based on other items you consume the food with, this glycemic index can help provide an estimate of whether or not the food will cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. Holford recommends that, to maintain a stable level of blood sugar between meals, you should consume low glycemic foods that release their energy slowly.

Meat and Eggs

Meat, eggs, fish and nuts are common choices for people with adrenal fatigue. Dr. Michael Lam, a practitioner familiar with the condition, says that these foods contain protein and fat that can help slow the release of the foods consumed with them. All meats, whether red or white, provide such an effect. This effectively lowers the glycemic index of the meal and keeps you fuller for longer.

Whole Grains and Vegetables

In addition to making good use of foods high in fat and protein, Wilson suggests that people with adrenal fatigue avoid high glycemic foods. Such items include sweets and white bread. He says that these foods often disturb blood sugar levels, causing a release of insulin that can trigger a bout of hypoglycemia. In contrast, whole-grain foods contain more fiber, which slows their transit from the stomach into the intestines. Vegetables also represent another food with a high fiber content. As a result, they also represent a slow-release energy source and an easy-to-digest food group.