Foods for Blood Sugar Problems

THE GLYCEMIC INDEX
The Glycemic Index is a ranking of foods based upon how they effect blood glucose levels 2-3 hours after the foods are consumed. The lower the Glycemic Index rating, the more slowly sugars from the food are released into the blood stream. Choosing foods lower on the Glycemic Index is a key for proper management of blood glucose levels.

The Most Common Problematic Foods
-- especially for people with chronic pain and blood sugar problems include:

a. all carbonated beverages -- which disrupt stomach acid, thus stopping healthy digestion.

b. nicotine and tobacco smoking -- nicotine is a common irritant to tissues and cigarette smoke inhibits oxygen intake and increases the buildup of two toxic gases, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

c. oily food, fried food and hydrogenated oils, such as margarine. These foods are high in trans-fatty acids which have adverse effects on body metabolism, interfering with cell membrane permeability, promoting nerve degeneration, and depositing a residue that makes the cells, rigid, sticky, and prone to inflammation and infection.

d. meats -- flesh foods also contain high levels of trans-fatty acids, further promoting inflammation and suppressing immune functions.

e. sugars and alcoholic beverages – these are common irritants to soft tissue and can be major challenges to the endocrine and nervous systems.