The Link Between Weight Gain and Elevated Glucose Levels
Recent studies by the National Institute of Health report that Americans gain the most weight over the six-week period between Thanksgiving and New Years. As Thanksgiving approaches, portions and decadent food are aplenty, and those extra bites of pecan pie could be putting strain on your health as well as your pant buttons. Obesity and high waist circumference can lead to elevated glucose and insulin levels. Chicago Healers Practitioner Valerie Early, RD offers symptoms to look out for this Thanksgiving season:
• Fatigue
• Crabbiness
• Sugar Cravings
• Neuropathy (needlelike pain in toes, fingers, and legs)
• Depression
While there are many ways to lower glucose and insulin levels, Early recommends starting with your diet. Simple changes include:
• Eat high-fiber carbohydrates such as lentils, beans, or vegetables.
• Eat lean protein with each meal and snack.
• Try herbs and supplements such as cinnamon, fenugreek, or chromium.
Diet alone is not enough to dial back glucose and insulin levels completely, though. Early recommends adding regular exercise along with a healthier diet. Simple changes such as keeping a food journal, limiting second portions and eating a light, filling snack before holiday parties such as a scoop of peanut butter or hummus and carrots, can help keep holiday weight and unhealthy glucose levels at bay.
For more information on Early or Chicago Healers, visit www.chicagohealers.com
About Chicago Healers:
Chicago Healers is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy. Our holistic health experts teach and advocate natural and empowered health and life choices through their practices, the media, educational events, and our website. With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications. For more information, visit www.ChicagoHealers.com .
