Balancing your blood sugar levels on a vegan diet

Glucose (the sugar in our blood) is essential to health because it’s required for the formation of ATP, the energy molecule in our bodies, which is necessary for every organ and cell to function.

The two key hormones for blood glucose regulation are insulin and glucagon.

When blood sugar is high, such as after a meal, insulin is released and helps to bring glucose circulating in the blood from the breakdown of food into the tissues for use and storage.

When blood sugar is low, glucagon is released to break down glycogen (stored form of glucose in the tissues), causing the blood sugar to rise again.

The body tries to maintain a constant balance between the two to function properly. But a state of continued elevated blood sugar can have a very negative effect on it.

This is because the body must release a consistent stream of insulin into the bloodstream to maintain healthy sugar levels.

This will cause the tissues to become what is known as “insulin resistant”, due to the constant exposure to insulin.

As a result, more insulin is released to remove circulating sugar that keeps rising as tissues are not responding to insulin anymore.

Besides potentially contributing to diabetes, heart disease and other chronic metabolic diseases, long-term blood sugar imbalance may contribute to other conditions.

Worryingly, these include increased fat storage in the abdomen, which is also dangerous for heart health and also cause inconsistent and poor energy.

Therefore, balancing blood sugar is essential for our mental and physical health! Eating a vegan diet is a great way to balance your blood sugar levels. 

Let’s take a quick look at what items or habits are best to reduce or eliminate to avoid blood sugar spikes.

• Avoid refined sugar and refined carbohydrates as they have a high glycaemic index which means they’ll raise blood sugar very quickly.
• Sodas and sweet drinks are also filled with artificial sweeteners and preservatives that will inevitably lead to hormonal imbalance and a blood sugar spike.
• Switch to whole grains when possible.
• Reduce stimulants like caffeine and nicotine that cause our blood sugar to rise due to a surge in adrenaline. 

What to eat on a vegan diet to keep your blood sugar levels balanced

Now the good part, which foods to enjoy in our day-to-day life to nourish our bodies and keep our energy and sugar levels balanced.

Here are some of the top ones to include in your vegan diet to balance your blood sugar levels…

Green leafy vegetables

Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale and other leafy greens are high in dietary fibre and rich in magnesium, which both help to regulate blood sugar levels, slowing down energy release and glucose absorption.

Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and squash contain much more fibre than regular white potatoes.

They can also be a good option for people dealing with blood sugar balancing problems.

Add your greens to salads, experiment with different varieties and pair them with a citrus vinaigrette or herb dressing.

Steam or roast your broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts and sprinkle them with lemon juice or chilli as a snack. You could even drizzle them with tahini as a side dish.

Whole grains

Whole grains like oats, brown rice or buckwheat are helpful for blood sugar levels because they are high in soluble fibre and are slower to digest.

Slower digestion creates a smaller fluctuation in blood sugar compared with refined carbohydrates. Quinoa and millet are also great options, as they are high in plant protein, which helps sustain energy without crashing blood sugar.

Start your day with a nice bowl of oatmeal topped with berries and cinnamon or mix up your oat game by trying millet and quinoa porridge.

Use whole grains to make some tasty veggie burgers or simply mix them with some sautéed vegetables topped with fresh basil or mint.

And by the way, if you love your pancakes, pick buckwheat or millet flour, and that yummy maple syrup on top will be much better tolerated when paired with these high fibre and protein flours.

Legumes

Think black, pinto, kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils. These are all high in fibre, complex carbohydrates and protein, keeping blood sugar nice and steady. 

You can turn them into delicious dips to serve with crudités or into creamy and filling soups. They can be tossed into salads to up your protein intake and even used for brownies. 

There are so many recipes for bean brownies or chickpea frostings and mousses. They won’t only provide texture and protein to your treats, but paired with wholesome sweeteners, they can help prevent you from experiencing a sugar high.

Substitute legumes for foods that are high in saturated fats or refined carbohydrates to help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and cholesterol. Make sure to soak and rinse them before cooking to ease digestion.

Cinnamon

This amazing spice has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and cells ability to respond more readily to insulin so that less is released into your body and there will be better blood sugar balancing.

It can also reduce cardiovascular disease risk by improving triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.

Sprinkle cinnamon on your porridge or on your slice of wholegrain toast with nut butter and banana. You can also try experimenting by adding it to savoury dishes like soups and curries.

And try some cinnamon tea when you get that craving for something sweet. Just infuse a cup of boiling water with a couple of whole cinnamon sticks for 5-10 minutes.

Berries

Compounds contained in berries, such as blueberries, raspberries or blackberries to name a few, increase sensitivity to insulin and may reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Plus they’re a powerhouse of plant antioxidants to protect your skin, cells and boost the immune system.

Add them to smoothies, munch on them as a snack and as topping for your favourite granola or yoghurt.

A delicious treat is mixing a cup of coconut yoghurt with half a cup of your favourite berries, some vanilla and cinnamon or any spice you like, and fill an ice cube tray with the mixture. Freeze for half an hour, pop out and enjoy!

Avocados

Avocados are full of mono-unsaturated fat, the kind that helps slow the release of sugars into the bloodstream, promoting less insulin release.

Create tasty guacamole or blend them to make a creamy dressing with some lime juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.

And if you’re in the mood for dessert, mix it with some cacao powder and a banana for a creamy and sweet mousse.

Chia seeds

These tiny powerful seeds improve insulin sensitivity and aid symptoms related to metabolic syndrome, including imbalances in cholesterol, higher blood pressure, and significant rises in blood sugar levels after meals. 

They also have potent anti-inflammatory powers and a high fibre content.

Soak a quarter of a cup in a cup of almond or coconut milk to create a chia pudding, which is perfect for breakfast or as a snack with the addition of your favourite spices, vanilla, a touch of sweetness and some berries, nuts or seeds and cacao nibs.

You can also throw one tablespoon into smoothies as well as use them to replace egg in your favourite baking recipes.

Chia acts the same as a “flax egg”, and to make it you simply add 1 tablespoon soaked into three tablespoons of water.

Spices

Literally spice up your cooking from curries to stir-fries to drinks and baked goods!

Turmeric, ginger, coriander, ground curry leaves or cumin seeds all have diabetes-fighting properties.

Eating these spices can improve insulin sensitivity and metabolism of both glucose and cholesterol, reducing blood sugar and insulin levels. 

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are a great source of fibre, healthy fats, protein and magnesium, which all prevent blood sugar spikes and promote slower digestion and longer satiety.

Grab a handful of almonds or walnuts as a snack and pair some Brazil nut or cashew butter with bananas, pears or apples.

Let’s not forget seeds like pumpkin, hemp and sunflower and seed butters or tahini, which make an amazing dressing ingredient or a delicious sweet spread mixed with some maple or brown rice syrup.

Apple cider vinegar

Vinegar has been found to blunt blood sugar and insulin increases. It is, in fact, able to slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood, or slow the breakdown of starches into sugars.

Have one tablespoon in warm water before meals with a touch of cinnamon to kick-start digestion and blood sugar balancing.

Or simply add it to your salads and other meals.

Final tips to remember

1. Include healthy fats, protein and fibre with your meals

Healthy fats help to slow down digestion, which can help to prevent blood sugar spikes.

Good sources of healthy fat include nuts and seeds, avocado, flax and chia seeds, plus cold-pressed and unrefined oils, such as olive, coconut, avocado.

Protein works in a similar way to fat, as it slows down digestion and promotes blood sugar regulation.

Good sources are legumes, nuts and seeds especially hemp and chia, soy (pick fermented products where it’s possible), peas and plant-based protein powders.

Fibre, which is naturally contained in plant foods, helps to balance blood sugar by slowing the time it takes for carbohydrates to be digested, therefore slowing the release of glucose into the bloodstream.

Many soluble fibres can also be fermented by intestinal bacteria and improve insulin sensitivity.

Examples are flaxseeds, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, collard greens, broccoli, squash, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips, chicory and beets.

Other good sources of fibre are whole grains like quinoa, brown rice and oats.

2. Include antioxidant-rich foods

Especially the anthocyanins-type found in deeply coloured vegetables and fruits like red cabbage, purple aubergine, red radish, blueberries, and blackberries.

These foods help to preserve insulin function by protecting the insulin producing cells of the pancreas from damage.

They also help support balanced post-meal blood sugar levels.

3. Stock up on magnesium-containing foods

Magnesium has an essential role in the body’s secretion and use of insulin and helps maintain proper blood sugar levels, reducing risk of diabetes type 2.

Foods high in magnesium are leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, avocados, kelp, to name a few.

4. Eat up your chromium

This mineral is essential for insulin to work properly. In fact, the primary signs of chromium deficiency are increased glucose and insulin levels.

Some good sources include brewer’s yeast, peas, romaine lettuce, broccoli, mushrooms, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

5. Don’t skip meals

It will cause your insulin to become imbalanced all the time to stimulate the body to introduce glucose for energy.

Your blood sugar is kept healthy when regular meals (and snacks if needed) are eaten.

6. Exercise

It helps to allow the body to remove sugar from the blood stream and move it to the tissues and muscles where it can be properly utilised and stored.

7. Enjoy enough sleeping time

The recommended 7-8 hours are not only good for fighting fatigue and mood swings but for improving hormonal regulation, and therefore blood sugar as well.

Are you trying to lower your cholesterol levels?

Find out here how eating a vegan diet can lower your cholesterol levels.