Blood sugar is raised and lowered very dramatically over the festive season due to increased consumption of sweet sugary treats, lots of bread, and copious amounts of alcohol. These all have the effect of sending our blood sugar rising and crashing which produces low mood and increased cravings for sugary foods.
To combat this try to eat a protein with every meal, for example a bit of hummus on brown bread or rye bread or oatcake. The combined effect of the protein and carbohydrate will help balance your blood sugars and slow down the rate at which your food is broken down.
Another example is natural yoghurt and fruit – as a snack this can be a healthier treat. Try chopping up some berries or some pieces of apple and pear. For a faster release of sugar into the bloodstream use grapes or bananas.
Peanut butter and almond butter on a rice cake can be a very filling snack and the protein content in the butters is high and loaded with nutrients and good fats.
In between all the feasting keep drinking water and eating fresh fruit and vegetables as often as you can – carrot and celery sticks with hummus before a mean can be a better alternative to crisps and heavily salted nuts.
Get out into the fresh air even once a day for a good walk and sniff the air!
Watch all the TV you want but take a break from it too and read your Christmas gift book and talk to your friends and family.
