Hit a 3pm slump? Could you be on a blood sugar rollercoaster?

Do any of these sound familiar to you?

• Fatigue

• Mood swings

• Food cravings

• Weight gain

• Insomnia

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Shaky/jitters

• Poor memory

• Waking up in the night to go to the loo

If they do you could be on something I like to call a blood sugar roller coaster.

Many of us go through our days on this type of roller coaster. I include myself a few years ago here, I'm speaking very much from experience with this one.

We wake up tired and reach straight for the coffee. Which is followed by a sugary breakfast. A few hours later we NEED another caffeine hit. So have another coffee and reach for biscuits.

The day progresses and the trend of energy ups and downs continues. Maybe you were too busy for lunch or inhaled your food and sat at your desk surrounded by a mountain of work. By 3 pm you are exhausted. You've crashed. So, you reach for more caffeine and maybe some chocolate, to feed the tiredness and for instant energy for the evening ahead.

5 pm comes and you get home to the demands of family life, so open the fridge and pour yourself a glass of wine. To numb the chores ahead and to give yourself a hit of energy while making dinner.

Eventually, you hit the pillow, wired and tired, and sleep poorly. Only to start the roller coaster again the next day.

I see this time and time again. Women are often powering themselves through their day on a blood sugar roller coaster. The thing is, most women aren't even aware. They are merely surviving. Well, what if you didn't have to spend your days like this? What if you were bright-eyed? What if you had steady energy levels to see you through your to-do list and last you throughout the day? With no need for ALL the coffee and sugar.

Here are a few tips to help you step off this rollercoaster:

• Regular meal times

• Balanced plate method

• Increase fibre plant foods

• Eat a protein rich breakfast

• Avoid caffeine or choose alternatives such as matcha or green tea

• Stress management

• Movement-gentle such as weightlifting, yoga, pilates, swimming, or walking

• Adequate sleep and rest

• Phytonutrient-rich foods such as berries and colourful plants, leafy greens, and cruciferous veg

• Avoid alcohol

I am always here if you need further help. Please always seek advice from a qualified practitioner or Dr should your symptoms persist or worsen.

Much love,

Katie xx