How to cure a sugar binge

You’re already aware that sugar is not great for your heart and overall health for the long term.  But even the best intentions sometimes get broken -- especially when there’s a bowl of candy staring at you. So what can you do in the short-term to feel better after a sugar crash, besides throwing those candy wrappers away?

It’s helpful to know what’s going on in your body: When you eat two or seven “fun-sized” Snickers, blood sugar skyrockets and you get an energy boost. Next, your body releases way more insulin to mop up that excess sugar. That usually works pretty well, but it's common to experience the decline in blood sugar as an energy drop, or even over-do the correction and feel really poorly.

That’s when many people dip into the candy bowl again.

But that’s just going to result in another crash. If you’re still hungry and your sweet tooth is calling, avoid the candy temptation and either opt for fruits high in water content and various nutrients (watermelon, berries, apples, etc.) to quench thirst that might be masquerading as hunger while getting some additional health benefits - or eat something more substantial that supplies fiber, healthy fats, and some protein (such as one of our bars) and takes longer to digest so as to help steady blood sugar levels. 

Exercise can also help re-balance your blood sugar, so go for a walk or jog.

Once you’re feeling back to your regular self, think about doubling down on more substatial, naturally fiber-rich foods for a few days to re-acclimate to foods that aren’t so sweet.

A little pre-planning around holidays like Halloween can go a long way as well. For example, don’t buy your personal favorite candy to hand out and don’t hand out treats while you’re hungry yourself. Wait until Halloween night to set out the bowl, eat something normal before the trick-or-treaters arrive, and have healthier snacks on hand as an option. Check out more of my tips for the night here.

Most importantly, remember that eating for health isn’t relegated to one decision or one day.  It’s a series of small, smart choices. Look at what happens when you replace that Pumpkin Spice Latte or Snickers bar with Step One Foods. Keep in mind, these benefits accrue over an entire year. So, after a sugar binge, do not beat yourself up!  We all slip up from time to time. Simply aim for better choices tomorrow.