Blood Sugar 101: What Every Woman Should Know
One of the greatest blessings from my pregnancy with my daughter in 2021-2022 was learning how to balance blood sugar. I had gestational diabetes and I had to inundate my life with learning anything and everything there is to know about blood sugar. Blood sugar balance is important for many reasons: hormone balance, healthy weight, cellular metabolism, autophagy (fancy way of saying removal of bad stuff from your cells- think cancerous things), and so much more!
So, yeah, blood sugar is important! And a lot of health/wellness influencers preach about this on the daily. But, as I have discovered, most people have no idea A) what the hell blood sugar even is, B) why it is important and C) how to attain blood sugar balance. If this is you- keep reading. This blog post will cover ALL of these points- A through C. Lucky you! If you’re looking for a more in depth training on balancing your blood sugar, you’d love my Blood Sugar Balancing Course!
***Disclaimer: this isn't medical advice. I am not a doctor. Also, there's affiliate links in this post. If you click them, I may be compensated at no cost to you.
What is blood sugar?
Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is your body’s main source of energy. It comes from carbohydrates in foods like bread, pasta, and fruit. When you eat, your body breaks these down into glucose, which enters your bloodstream.
Your body uses glucose like fuel—but too much or too little can cause health issues. That’s why it works hard to keep your blood sugar levels balanced.
Why is Blood Sugar Balance important?
When blood sugar stays too high for too long, it can lead to serious health issues—especially if you’ve had gestational diabetes (like I did), which increases your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Here are some complications linked to chronically high blood sugar:
Diabetes complications: Heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, vision loss, and diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening emergency).
Hyperglycemia symptoms: Frequent urination, extreme thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Weakened immunity: High blood sugar suppresses the immune system, making infections (like UTIs and skin infections) more likely. (Check out my post on immunity if you're sick often!)
Heart disease: Elevated blood sugar damages blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Nerve damage (neuropathy): Tingling, numbness, pain, or weakness—especially in the hands and feet.
Hormonal imbalance: Can lead to mood swings, sleep issues, infertility, poor digestion, and more.
Insulin resistance: When your body stops responding to insulin properly. It’s a major driver of type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and obesity.
This is why maintaining balanced blood sugar through diet, movement, and lifestyle habits is so important—whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.
How to Balance Blood Sugar
Balancing your blood sugar starts with how you eat. The goal is to avoid sharp spikes and crashes by choosing foods that release glucose slowly and steadily into the bloodstream.
Here are my go-to tips:
Choose complex carbs: Opt for whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice over refined ones (white bread, white pasta). They digest slower and keep blood sugar steadier.
Load up on fiber: Fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds help slow sugar absorption and keep you full longer.
Pair carbs with protein and fat: This helps slow down digestion and prevents sugar spikes. I always make sure protein outweighs or matches carbs in every meal or snack. (More on that in the “Balanced Meals” section of this post.)
Skip the sugar traps: Avoid refined carbs and sweets — and skip “sugar-free” items made with harmful artificial sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame.
Eat regularly: Three balanced meals and 1–2 protein-rich snacks can keep your energy and blood sugar stable all day. (Need healthier snack ideas? Grab my free guide here!)
Watch portions: Eating too much at once can cause a spike. Smaller plates and mindful eating help.
Hydrate: Filtered water supports blood sugar balance and reduces cravings. I use my favorite plastic-free bottle to help stay on track and only drink Kangen water- learn more about Kangen water here!
Limit alcohol: Alcohol affects blood sugar regulation. Swap it out for sparkling mineral water when you want something “fun.”
Cook smarter: Bake, steam, sauté — and ditch seed oils for healthier ones like olive or coconut oil. Bonus tip: use stainless steel pans, not non-stick!
Move after meals: A short walk after eating can seriously reduce blood sugar spikes. I did this daily during pregnancy and felt a big difference.
Track your levels: If you’re curious, try a glucose meter to see how your body reacts to certain meals. I check mine about an hour after eating — ideally, blood sugar should be under 120 at that point.
Lastly, remember that everyone’s body is different. What balances my blood sugar may look slightly different for you — and that’s okay! The key is staying aware and experimenting with what works.
Want to learn my exact method?
My online course, Balancing Blood Sugar for Dummies, teaches everything you need to know in a short, easy-to-understand way. It’s perfect if you want practical steps without the overwhelm. This is exactly the method I followed after I had both of my kids to get me back on track and feeling great! I lost weight easily and got below my pre baby weight every time- within 3 months! Seriously, here’s how I looked 5 years BEFORE kids and how I looked after my first baby!
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Struggling with energy crashes, cravings, or blood sugar issues? Learn how to balance blood sugar naturally through diet, lifestyle, and simple daily habits. Includes tips, real-life examples, and a course to help you take action.