Heather Arranie 
We all feel down and sleepy after lunch, making us crave a cup of coffee just to push through the afternoon. These energy dips are very common, and you usually blame them on busy lifestyles or even stress, but we ignore another major factor: blood sugar.
Some days you feel very energised, while others you keep struggling to maintain focus; it’s due to the ups and downs of blood sugar throughout the day. The good news is that you can easily manage it with a few changes in your habits. Let’s see what makes a change.
Relationship of Blood Sugar with Energy
Glucose is the main energy source of your body. When you eat, the carbohydrates in the food are converted to glucose, which enters your bloodstream. The cells take it up with the help of insulin and convert it into ATP, which is the actual form of energy.
Many carb-heavy meals or snacks spike your blood sugar instantly, but also drop it quickly. Sudden energy drops make you feel tired, moody, and craving for more sugar. Balancing your blood sugar can help you avoid these ups and downs in energy and keep you healthy.
Start with a Smart Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important part of the day. Your energy levels depend on what you put inside your body on an empty stomach in the morning. While you may feel tempted to have a bowl of cereal, or a croissant, they give you a quick boost in energy, which drops just as quickly.
Instead, try to have a meal with proteins, fibre, and healthy fats. Even a simple Greek yogurt with nuts or berries can make you full and keep your energy balanced for longer durations. Coupling it up with crown supplements further boosts your health.
Upgrade Your Snacks
When our energy decreases, we automatically crave snacks. But most processed snacks are high in carbs that raise your blood sugar for a time being and decrease a few hours later. Try snacking on healthy things like fruits, vegetables, or nutritious food.
Here’s some fun snacks that taste divine and yet keep your energy up:
- Frozen grapes
- Apple with almond butter
- Hummus with carrot sticks
- Nuts with dark chocolate
All these options curb your cravings without spiking your blood sugar. Which means, you’ll feel more energized throughout the day.
Add Nutritional Support
Alongside your meals, you can also explore some supplements to help your body fulfil its needs. It is especially helpful if you have a slow metabolism and some gut issues. Consider Berberine supplement UK, a popular clean label crown supplement that can support not only your metabolism but overall wellbeing.
Please remember that supplements can not replace your food. They only support your body for better health. Adding a couple of supplements to your daily routine can help you maintain better energy levels within a couple of weeks.
Move After Meals
One of our bad habits is lying down right after having a meal. It makes us feel sluggish. Taking a brief walk after having a meal can help your body regulate blood sugar, keeping its levels stable. Moving doesn’t mean an intense workout (it can lead to gastric reflux). Just stand up, stretch for a few minutes, or do a short walk around your home. Doing home chores like doing dishes, vacuum cleaning, or simply organizing things also counts.
Stay Hydrated and Stress Free
These two are the most overlooked factors when you feel down. Blood sugar doesn’t rely only on your food alone. If your body is dehydrated, it makes your fatigue worse and affects the proper regulation of your blood sugar. Take intentional sips after a couple of minutes throughout the day, not just when your body forces you.
Stress also plays a very important role. It can affect your mental and physical health much more than you’d like to admit. When stressed, your body releases cortisol. This hormone can raise your blood sugar, making you hyped up. But just like sugar snacks, this energy falls rather quickly. Try some exercises like deep breathing, short breaks, or brief walks to control your stress.
How To Beat Afternoon Slumps
Have you ever dreaded the 3 pm crash? Don’t pick your stored sugary snacks; instead, try these:
- Include vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains in your lunch.
- Take a brief walk for fresh air
- Drink a cup of green tea instead of coffee.
These changes are not difficult and can still help you feel more balanced, livelier, and full of energy.
Bottom Line
Daily energy levels affect our mood, focus, and overall productivity. If you rely heavily on snacks or processed foods, you must have felt that energy dip that always strikes around lunch time. A large percentage of people around the world face similar issues, which makes balancing your blood sugar an essential factor. Don’t worry, you don’t need to overhaul your life. Just try to maintain the factors we have discussed above, and you’ll be all good in a couple of days.
