Motivated people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who start making lifestyle changes can reap tremendous health benefits almost immediately. Long-term change can be difficult - this is why it's smart to seek help when you need it. Your doctor or dietitian will be able to help you.
Do you feel a slump mid-afternoon? Whether it's the mid-afternoon period of sleepiness you seem to get every day or you just can't seem to wake up in the morning: the great news is you can influence how you feel with a few smart strategies. What you eat on a day-to-day basis will have a direct impact on how mentally alert you are, so with a few quick changes to your daily eating plan, you can quickly regain the mental energy you once had to stop you reaching for those carbohydrate laden foods.
Here's how...
Avoid A Carb Laden Breakfast Or Lunch. First, make sure you are avoiding a carb laden breakfast or lunch meal. This is perhaps the biggest mistake most diabetics make and will definitely cost them their mental energy.
With a huge hit of carbohydrates, your brain will release a higher amount of serotonin which will make you feel great by raising your blood sugar - but sleepy at the same time.
Instead, moderate your carb intake and make sure you also take in protein and healthy fats with your meal.
Fuel Up With Omega-3's. Next, also be sure your diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These can be found in...
- fatty varieties of fish,
- walnuts, as well as
- flaxseed oil.
Try and get at least one serving of food rich in omega-3's each day and on top of that, supplement with fish oil. This will help to keep your mind mentally sharp, reducing signs of cognitive decline.
Go Easy On Caffeine. Moving along, also be sure you are going easy on caffeine. You may think indulging in a strong coffee is the best way to quickly recapture the mental energy you desire - but tread lightly.
While at first you may feel more mentally, once it wears off you'll find you feel less alert and may even start to feel sleepy.
If you are going to have caffeine, limit it to around 100 mg total.
Snack On Nuts. Finally, if you need a quick snack in the afternoon, try some nuts. Nuts are great because they're a rich source of vitamin E, which can also help to prevent cognitive decline as well.
Plus, they're lower in carbs, so fall in perfectly with the first point mentioned.
So keep these smart and healthy points in mind as you strive to promote better blood sugar levels, focus, concentration, and mental energy. You do have the direct power to influence how you feel, so start harnessing your power and using it to your advantage.
No comments:
Post a Comment