The power of when you eat ... is stronger than what you eat.
I'd like offer some thoughts around how we've become constant grazers. We wake and grab something to eat with a coffee or two. Or, we head out to find our favorite coffee spot and order a coffee-like concoction that has the equivalent calories of a few snickers bars, plus a bagel, muffin or pastry.
Unfortunately, this very common habit has now landed us on board the Sugar Train - ready for another wild ride.
Do you struggle with any of these?
Cravings
Fatigue
Afternoon low-energy
Disrupted sleep
Skin issues
Aches & pains
Foggy brain
Poor digestion
Headaches
Stubborn weight
Anixiety, depression, irritability, moods issues
Hormone imbalances
What if I told you that eating all the time could be increasing these symptoms?
Science.
When we eat throughout the day enjoying all the "normal foods", we are likely increasing our insulin levels which block the body from efficiently burning body fat for energy. This means we are dependent on eating [carbs & sugar] every few hours to keep our "energy up" to avoid the crash & burn.
But... this can become a vicious cycle that increases blood sugar dysregulation, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and leaves us with many of the above symptoms - UGH!!!
The Solution - Become "metabolically flexible".
Why? Because our body is designed to burn both sugar and fat for fuel including our own fat reserves. Therefore, we must optimize our Blood Sugar by...
Eating whole, real nutrient-rich foods most of the time.
Avoiding seed oils and highly processed foods everyday.
Taking a break from eating throughout the day and find a window of eating and not eating.
Eat. Stop. Eat.
We simply stop eating, a time-tested, ancient healing tradition called fasting.
Elevated blood sugar & insulin levels are simply too much sugar in the body.
So, by stopping the constant flow of food and burning off the stored sugar, we are effectively reducing the incoming glucose load, excess insulin and insulin resistance!
When we stop eating for a period of time, we naturally empty the sugar from our body. Once empty, any incoming sugar will no longer spill out into the blood but be utilized, not stored.
Start Here.
Begin with a 12/12 window.
Eat your meals within a 12- hour window, then stop eating for another 12- hours.
Choose foods that are rich in protein, quality fats and complex carbohydrates [vegetables].
The goal isn't to eat the entire 12 hours each day, but to schedule your meals within this time frame.
Ask Yourself.
Am I eating enough food at mealtimes?
Am I hungry, bored or thirsty?
Could I stretch my window to 10/14 or 8/16?
Important to know... This is NOT a diet plan.
Giving the body a rest from eating/digesting improves:
blood sugar control
blood pressure
lengthens lifespan
improves digestion
reduces heart-related issues
triggers greater levels of fat-burning
These are all improvements to our health outcomes, so why not give this a try?
During this month of eating lots of holiday foods and truthfully, NOT thinking about how balancing your plate, try experimenting with Eat. Stop. Eat.
Using an eating window approach will allow you to freely take part in what's important, while also giving your body a break so that it can repair and restore too.
Blood Sugar Boot Camp Begins January 8, 2024.
I have created a program to help you do this in the most effective and efficient way possible.
Blood Sugar Boot Camp will educate, encourage and equip you to control your blood sugar so it stops controlling you.
Sign-up Here: https://www.janlindquistntp.com/services-1-1
I hope you will consider joining me in January.
Let's begin 2024 with a renewed focus for living well at any age.
Thanks for reading,
Jan