Glycemic index

on blood sugar is reported in a score called the glycemic index (GI). Foods with a high GI (51 to 100) spike blood sugar quickly and drop it just as fast, like the highest hill on a roller coaster. Low GI foods (0 to 50) take blood sugar up more slowly and maintain a steady level in your system longer.

In general, foods with a high content of corn syrup, sugar, or white flour have a high GI. Foods with more protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates (such as whole wheat products) have a low GI.

To maintain positive moods and energy levels, eat the right foods at the right time. Choose foods that keep blood sugar steady, rather than foods that take it up and down drastically, even if you do not have a blood sugar disorder. Eat before blood sugar levels get too low, because it takes a few minutes for food to break down into glucose and get into the cells. (For hypoglycemics, that may be as often as every two hours.)

Of course not all of the moods you experience are tied to blood sugar. Personality, frustrating circumstances, physiological issues, personal or family history — all of these things go into making you who you are and giving you your patience threshold. Take your struggles with anger to the Lord. Ask Him to give you insight into your anger triggers. You also may need to talk about your anger with a trusted Christian counselor.

It has been amazing to me how paying attention to what and when I eat has helped me to feel good. Knowing about blood sugar also has helped me understand and provide what my four children need: If they have not eaten for three hours and begin to get grouchy, we take a snack break.

220

190

blood 160 Sugar Levels ¹³⁰

100

erratic

steady

70

40

6 a.m. Noon 4 p.m. 8 p.m.

Time of Day

Extreme fluctuations result when you eat erratically and eat primarily high GI foods. Steady levels result when you eat regular meals and snacks of lower GI foods.

For me, donuts are one of those your family feel better? Start taking foods. I love the smell. I love the note. Avoid those that aggravate, or shiny frosting. But I do not eat them offer them only after or in combina-because I feel hungry, get a throbbing tion with a low GI food, such as a headache, and find it almost impos- glass of milk or low-fat serving of sible to control my temper after I have meat. It is difficult — and sometimes eaten one. I have noticed my youngest very inconvenient — to say no, but daughter has the same tendencies. you are not doing yourself or your Her worst tantrums have been after family a favor by saying yes to foods consuming a donut — at church on that may ultimately harm your body Sunday morning. It is much better for or relationships. my family to eat low glycemic index, My mother, a type-2 diabetic, higher protein foods. They help us feel has found what works for her. After less hungry and more able to concen- an egg for breakfast, she eats two trate (and maintain composure) for a lunches, salads with lean grilled longer time. meat at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., to

What foods make you and your maintain stable blood sugar. With child feel miserable? What foods make

Diabetes Warning Signs

What Works And What Does Not Everyone has found certain foods that do not “agree” with him. There also are certain foods that do not agree with your blood sugar. I am not a super-strict nutritionist (there occasionally are french-fry bags on the floor of my van), but I have found some foods I absolutely must avoid because of the impact on my blood sugar, and consequently, my mood.

Signs of diabetes include the following. • Incessant hunger and thirst

• Blurred vision

• Slow healing of sores

• Frequent urination

• Chronic irritability

• Confusion

• Fatigue

If you experience several of these symptoms on a regular basis, or symptoms of hypoglycemia, please talk to your doctor about getting screened for a blood sugar disorder.

MARCH 2008 PARENTLIFE 33