Blood Sugar 101: What You Really Need to Know About Sugar, Energy, and Your Health
- higherhealthwellness
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
Let’s talk about that thing we love to hate… Sugar.
It’s sweet, addictive, comforting — and confusing! But here’s the truth: glucose (sugar) is essential. It fuels every cell in your body, especially your brain, heart, and muscles. All living things use glucose. It’s quick, easy to digest, and provides fast energy.
So why is sugar getting such a bad rap?
Let’s break it down together, step-by-step.
🩸 What Is Blood Sugar?
Blood sugar = glucose in the bloodstream.
It’s the body’s main energy source.
We get glucose primarily from carbohydrates: sugar, flour, grains, fruit, and even a little from protein and fat.
🚗 Glucose = Fuel for Your Body
Think of glucose like fuel for your car. Your body “burns” glucose to create ATP (energy) so you can think, move, and thrive.
🔑 Enter Insulin – The Gatekeeper
To get glucose into your cells, your body uses insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas.
Insulin = the key that unlocks cells so sugar can enter.
After you eat, insulin helps store extra glucose in your liver and muscles as glycogen.
When you haven’t eaten in a while, another hormone called glucagon signals the body to convert glycogen back to glucose.
This system works like a fuel tank, releasing energy as needed.
Think of insulin as the delivery driver and glucose as the package. When the driver can’t get the package to the right address (your cells), it builds up in the bloodstream — causing fatigue, cravings, and long-term damage.
🧬 Dibesity: The Diabetes–Obesity Connection
What is “Dibesity”?
A modern term describing the dual epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes — so closely linked they’re often considered two sides of the same coin.
How excess fat contributes to insulin resistance:
Fat tissue, especially around the belly (visceral fat), releases inflammatory molecules.
These disrupt how cells respond to insulin, increasing blood glucose levels over time.
The more insulin resistance develops, the harder the pancreas must work to produce insulin.
The vicious cycle:
High blood sugar promotes fat storage.
More fat = more inflammation = more insulin resistance.
Eventually, the pancreas can’t keep up → blood sugar stays high → diabetes diagnosis.
Important insights for clients:
You do not need to be obese to have insulin resistance or diabetes.
Reducing fat mass (especially abdominal fat) improves insulin sensitivity significantly.
Blood sugar regulation supports energy, mood, appetite, sleep, mental clarity, and weight control.
Weight loss is not the only answer: It’s about reducing inflammation, improving muscle mass, balancing hormones, and supporting the microbiome — all of which impact blood sugar regulation.
🚨 When Things Go Wrong…
Type 1 Diabetes = pancreas can’t make insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes = body becomes insulin resistant (the "lock" is broken).
In both cases, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream — causing long-term damage.
🧠 So, What Affects Blood Sugar?
Here are the 5 major factors that impact your blood sugar levels:
🍞 What You Eat
Simple carbs (sugar, white flour, processed foods) = quick blood sugar spikes.
Complex carbs (whole grains, veggies, fruit) = slower release due to fiber.
Too much sugar over time can lead to insulin resistance and inflammation.
🏃♀️ Physical Activity
Movement uses glucose for fuel.
More movement = more sugar burned.
Exercise helps lower blood sugar naturally and improves insulin sensitivity.
😰 Stress
Stress releases adrenaline and cortisol, which raises blood sugar.
The body can’t tell the difference between real danger and modern stress (e.g., traffic or work deadlines).
Chronic stress = chronic sugar spikes = weight gain, especially around the belly.
🦠 The Microbiome
Your gut bacteria affect how you digest carbs and regulate blood sugar.
Two people can eat the same food and have completely different blood sugar responses.
A sugar-heavy diet can feed the wrong bacteria and lead to gut imbalance (dysbiosis).
⚖️ Body Fat
More body fat = more insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance also leads to leptin resistance, your "I’m full" hormone.
This vicious cycle of weight gain ↔ blood sugar imbalance is now called “Diabesity.”
🔄 The Blood Sugar – Hunger Hormone Connection
Leptin (made by fat cells): Tells your brain you’re full. Influenced by insulin.
Ghrelin (hunger hormone): Signals hunger, especially when the stomach is empty.
In obesity, both of these hormones can become dysregulated — causing more hunger, more sugar cravings, and more fat storage.
🧬 Bio-Individuality Matters
Your body’s blood sugar response is unique to you. Thanks to your gut microbiome, lifestyle, genetics, and stress levels, even a “healthy” food like a banana may raise your blood sugar — but not your friend’s.
This is why there’s no one-size-fits-all diet. You are unique. Your nutrition should be too.
Simple Ways to Support Blood Sugar:
Eat protein with every meal (especially breakfast)
Don’t skip meals — this causes crashes and cravings
Add cinnamon to smoothies or oats to improve glucose response
Walk after meals to support insulin function
Prioritise gut health with fermented foods and prebiotic fibre
📌 Let’s Recap: The Blood Sugar 101 Takeaways
✅ Glucose is essential for life
✅ Insulin is your body’s sugar regulator
✅ Blood sugar balance is influenced by:
Your diet
Movement
Stress
Gut health
Body fat
✅ Chronic imbalance can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, and eventually diabetes
✅ Everyone has unique needs – bio-individuality matters!
The Sweet Dilemma 🍬💥
Why do we crave sugar even when we know it’s not helping us?
It’s not about willpower.
It’s biology.
👉 Sugar (glucose) is a quick fuel source. Our bodies evolved to seek it out.
But here’s the modern problem:
We’re surrounded by processed, high-sugar foods... and it’s throwing our blood sugar, hormones, and energy into chaos.
When insulin isn’t working properly, we get:
Constant cravings
Fatigue or brain fog
Weight gain (especially around the middle)
Even mood swings and poor sleep.
Sound familiar?
💡 The good news: You can balance blood sugar, reset your cravings, and feel energised again — without dieting or deprivation.
Share Your Thoughts & Take Action
If you’ve been feeling like your energy crashes are controlling your day, your hunger hits at all the wrong times, or your mood is all over the place… you’re not alone.
These are powerful signs that your blood sugar may be out of balance — and they’re not something you just have to “live with” because you’re getting older.
Maria has helped countless women in their 50s break free from the cycle of fatigue, cravings, and frustration by identifying the root causes and giving them a personalised plan for diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation.
Take our quick Gut Health Assessment Questionnaire—it’s free, easy, and Maria will personally review your results:
✅ Ready to start? Ask us about:
Take the first step today — Book your free 20-minute call with Maria. In this no-pressure chat, you’ll get clarity on what’s happening in your body and receive personalised recommendations you can start using right away to feel more energised, in control of your appetite, and steady in your mood.
📍 Higher Health Wellness Centre
📞 Maria Lucey | 0438 112 050
Higher Health Consult with Maria Lucey
Hi, I'm Maria Lucey, founder of Higher Health Wellness Centre and passionate advocate when it comes to all things nutrition.
I am a qualified Nutritionist, registered with ATMS.
I am also a qualified health coach I studied with The Institute of Integrative Nutrition and I am currently studying Functional Medicine.
When meeting with me, we will go over a wide range of areas to ensure you get the best results possible when it comes to your health and nutrition.
Why do we do what we do?
We exist to share the TRUTH!
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