Let's delve into the influence of insulin and how natural sweeteners can aid insulin management.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone generated by the pancreas that controls blood glucose levels. Upon carbohydrate consumption, they break down into glucose for our cells to use for energy or store for later.
Insulin resistance is a state where the body's cells are less responsive to insulin, impairing glucose utilisation. Insulin resistance can be caused by factors such as excess weight, physical inactivity, or a high-sugar diet.
Insulin resistance carries risks such as high blood glucose levels, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This is particularly concerning as even though this is largely a "lifestyle" issue, it can contribute to obesity-related chronic diseases and New Zealand is not on a good trajectory at all with diabetes and obesity on the rise.
NEW ZEALAND OBESITY RANKING:
The following chart should shock all of us - no matter our body shape. You can see a more up to date (and equally disturbing) chart on OECD data, here.
How can we manage Insulin Resistance?
You can manage Insulin Resistance by cutting sugar consumption, controlling calorie intake, and improving insulin sensitivity to maintain a healthy body weight and minimise the risk of obesity. Lifestyle modifications are crucial, and in some cases, medications may also be prescribed.
Many of our customers partake in active Keto or partial Ketogenic diets, which manage sugar and carbohydrate intake, and such a dietary change may be beneficial to those struggling with insulin resistance. If you have concerns about this, you should visit your local doctor for advice.
Making a Change
Our goal at Sugar Free Food is to show Kiwi's that we can enjoy sweet and tasty foods as part of a very healthy diet. Natural sweeteners like Stevia, Monk Fruit, Xylitol, and Erythritol offer a sweet taste without impacting blood glucose or calorie intake, thus providing a way to both enjoy our food and manage our health for the better.
The important point is that lifestyle and diet changes may seem daunting, but there are many Keto-friendly products available - including natural sweeteners - that may it an easy process.
For more information on these subjects, visit https://www.diabetes.org.nz/ or https://nutritionfoundation.org.nz/keto-diet/
You can find a range of Keto-friendly online stores on our Online Stockists page: https://www.sugarfreefood.co.nz/pages/online-stockists
If you have queries or concerns about insulin, weight loss, or dieting, please consult your local doctor.
