1. Caffeine Connection
Holistic healthcare professionals, nutritionists and naturopathic doctors have known for years about the connection between caffeine and blood glucose levels. Patients managing health conditions such as Type II Diabetes (high blood glucose levels) usually know when they've had too much caffeine. A sudden energy rush, followed by a marked slump is the usual pattern because caffeine gets into the blood stream quickly, causing an adrenaline rush. Small amounts of caffeine don't bother most people. More than two cups a day pose a threat. Caffeine also affects people battling hypoglycemia, a health condition that causes low blood glucose levels.
2. Concoction Combinations
Be careful what you combine for breakfast. Manage blood glucose levels carefully, especially if you are hypoglycemic. A popular American breakfast of donuts and coffee creates devastating effects. The caffeine in the coffee combined with the white, refined sugar in the donut produces a double whammy. Your blood glucose level soars quickly, but brace yourself for the crash an hour or two later. This combination is especially lethal in the morning, after going all night without eating. Your system with its empty stomach can't handle such a sudden rise in blood glucose levels.
3. Created Cravings
Combining caffeine and sugar causes other problems in blood glucose levels, besides the sudden rush factor. It sets up a vicious cycle of cravings. You eat something sweet with a good cup of coffee. Your blood glucose levels swing wildly. These swings cause carbohydrate cravings. You crave another donut, another piece of cake or a second slice of pie. Over time, this craving cycle and resulting imbalance in blood glucose levels leads to hypoglycemia, or the health condition commonly known as low blood sugar.
4. Diet Don'ts
Diet pills that contain caffeine add to the problem of erratic blood glucose levels. Many people who struggle with diabetes also battle excess weight. Diet pills are not the answer, and may complicate your problem. Caffeine often causes your blood sugar levels to go up and down rapidly throughout the day. This syndrome often leads to craving carbs. Craving those simple carbohydrates such as sweets, white breads and white potatoes sabotage the best diet efforts. Avoid caffeine-containing diet pills.
5. Clear the Caffeine Fog
Caffeine is a stimulant that gets your brain going in the morning. But over time, your body becomes addicted to caffeine and that affects your blood glucose levels. If your system is dependant on caffeine for waking up in the morning, you may feel terrible until you get that morning jolt of java. Try weaning yourself off caffeine for awhile and feel the difference in your mental clarity as your blood glucose levels stabilize.
