The food we eat has a direct impact on our well-being. No matter what foods you may be eating, your body will break them down to essential nutrients and use them as fuel to run all functions. So, why does it matter whether the fuel we take a healthy or not? It matters because if you do not eat the right foods, your body will have to overcompensate for the lack, which will in turn hurt your body. That’s why one must ensure that the food they eat is good enough. As we know, our body needs essential carbs and fat to stay energized. However, many people are told to skip most carbs as they can cause blood sugar spikes. So how does one find the balance? According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the reason why junk foods cause rapid blood sugar spikes is because they breakdown too easily, causing glucose to enter our blood stream in a rapid succession. While blood sugar spikes happen to everyone, it is worse for people who are diabetic, prediabetic or at risk of it. It becomes a concern when your body is producing less insulin as it is a necessary hormone to breakdown the blood glucose for use. So how does a person who is predisposed to have high blood sugar navigate this issue? The answer is simple: you go for fiber! Fiber: The Blood Sugar-Friendly Carb In a widely viewed YouTube video, Dr. Eric Berg, popularly known as Dr. Berg on social media, who is a board-certified chiropractor and the author of 'The Healthy Keto Plan,' identified fiber as the singular carbohydrate that "doesn't influence insulin." This unique characteristic makes fiber an exceptionally beneficial dietary component, particularly for individuals closely monitoring their blood glucose, such as those with diabetes. Unlike other carbohydrates that are broken down into glucose and cause a subsequent rise in insulin to manage the increased blood sugar, fiber passes through the digestive system largely undigested. This lack of insulin response makes fiber an ideal carbohydrate choice for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. How Can You Optimize Your Nutrition and Steady Blood Sugar? To maintain stable blood sugar levels while ensuring optimal nutrition, it's advisable to be mindful of the types of carbohydrates consumed. When incorporating carbohydrates into a meal or snack, pairing them with a source of protein is highly beneficial. Good protein options include lean meats, a small handful of nuts, or low-fat dairy products. Here are some foods that should be a bigger part of your diet. Whole Grains Opt for minimally processed grains like quinoa, brown rice, oats, barley, whole-wheat bread, and whole-grain pasta, which release glucose more slowly. Starchy Vegetables Include nutrient-rich starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, corn, and peas in moderation. LegumesIncorporate lentils, beans, and chickpeas, which are excellent sources of both fiber and protein, further aiding in gradual carbohydrate absorption. Fruits Enjoy fruits like berries and apples, which provide fiber and essential nutrients, while being mindful of portion sizes due to their natural sugar content. Non-Starchy Vegetables Make non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens a dietary staple, as they are low in carbohydrates and high in beneficial fiber. Nuts and Seeds Include almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds for their healthy fats and fiber content. Effective Strategies to Keep Your Blood Sugar In Check To help keep blood sugar steady, it's important to do more than just pick the right carbs. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that combining carbs with protein and healthy fats helps your body digest them slowly, stopping big sugar rushes. Choosing whole, unprocessed foods like whole grains, fruits, and veggies over processed stuff is also key. Remember to watch your portion sizes, even with healthy carbs. Drinking enough water is helpful too. Getting regular exercise makes your body better at using sugar. If you have diabetes or worry about your blood sugar, checking it often can show you how different foods and activities affect you.