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Dear {{first_name | fellow seeker of health and wellness}}!

I hope this letter finds you well and that you can feel the virtual hug included in these words.

How is your journey into 2025 so far? How does your body feel? Your energy levels?

  • How glucose affects your energy and simple ways to stabilize it.

  • How yoga can help manage energy and reduce sugar dependency.

  • Practical steps to reduce sugar cravings and balance glucose levels.

Have you ever wondered why some days you feel energized and focused, while others leave you feeling sluggish and drained? As a fellow yogi, I’m guessing you’re already quite in tune with your body and health, but we get so many messages from our community asking for ways to improve your health and how your body feels on a day-to-day basis, to enable you to show up not just on the mat but in the rest of your life. Simply deepening your yoga practice may not be the answer. Although the benefits are incredible, it cannot tackle the impact of a diet that is not fueling you in the optimal way.

Glucose and Its Impact on Your Energy Levels

Your diet might hold the secret to maintaining a steady flow of energy throughout the day. Could a deeper exploration of glucose and its relationship with the foods we consume revolutionize the way we approach our meals and overall well-being? We want to shed some light on an essential aspect of our bodies’ energy regulation: glucose.

While the topic of glucose may not sound exciting at first, trust us, it’s incredible how much it influences our health and well-being. After learning more about glucose and its role in our bodies, we couldn’t wait to share this knowledge with our Wolfpack!

What Is Glucose and How Does It Affect Us?

Glucose is a type of sugar that is the primary source of energy for your body’s cells. It plays a crucial role in fueling our body’s daily activities, from the simple movements we make to the physical exertion required during yoga practice. Your body breaks down carbohydrates from food into glucose, which is then used as energy.

On the other hand, sugar often refers to added sugars, like those found in sugary drinks, processed foods, or sweets. These sugars can rapidly increase blood glucose levels, causing energy spikes followed by crashes, leading to feelings of fatigue and cravings for more sugar.

Glucose Management vs. Sugar Addiction

Glucose management refers to the process of regulating blood sugar levels to maintain steady, consistent energy throughout the day. This involves focusing on the right foods (those that provide a balanced, slow release of glucose) such as whole grains, vegetables, and proteins.

Sugar addiction, however, is a dependency on added sugars, which can create a cycle of cravings and blood sugar spikes. This dependence often leads to energy crashes, irritability, and an increased risk of long-term health issues like obesity.

Understanding how glucose works in our bodies and how to manage it effectively can have a transformative effect on your energy levels, health, and well-being. By focusing on balanced glucose levels, we can fuel our bodies properly, avoiding the negative impacts of excess sugar consumption.

Do You Experience These Common Symptoms?

Here are some signs to look out for that may indicate an issue with glucose management:

• Do you experience post-lunch brain fog and find it harder to focus in the afternoon?

• Are you having trouble sleeping or struggling with low mood?

• Do you eat relatively healthily and keep active but still don’t feel 100% most days?

Keep reading to discover how to change your daily habits in order to free yourself from sugar addiction, develop a better understanding of how to fuel your body and brain better as well as getting some simple recipe ideas to keep you energized and balanced.

Natural Sugars vs. Processed Sugars - Sugar is Sugar, Right? No!

Natural sugars found in whole foods like fruits and vegetables come with beneficial nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which help the body absorb sugar more slowly and provide steady energy. However, it’s still important to be mindful of how much natural sugar we consume. Even though these sugars are healthier, consuming them in excess, such as large quantities of fruit or fruit juices, can cause blood sugar fluctuations. Processed sugars, on the other hand, are quickly absorbed and can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar, contributing to energy imbalances and health issues over time.

The key is moderation and focusing on nutrient-dense, whole foods to maintain balanced energy and overall well-being.

The Science Behind Glucose and Sugar Consumption

Glucose is the primary source of energy for our cells. It plays a vital role in fueling our bodies, especially during physical activities like yoga, where our muscles demand a consistent supply of energy. Proper glucose management is crucial for maintaining stable blood sugar levels, supporting cognitive function, and promoting overall well-being.

You may have seen the 2014 documentary That Sugar Film in which Damon Gameau investigated the effects of a high-sugar diet on a healthy body. Gameau changed from a no-refined-sugar diet to a “health-conscious” diet low in fat but high in sugar, consuming 160 grams (40 teaspoons) of sugar per day.

In just a few weeks, Gameau experienced weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. He even developed fatty liver disease, a precursor to diabetes and heart disease. After 60 days on this diet, his liver fat had increased by 150%, and he had high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This experiment highlights how even moderate consumption of added sugar can have a significant negative impact on our health.

Key Findings About Sugar:

  • Sugar is addictive and can trigger the same cravings and withdrawal symptoms as other drugs.

  • Sugar is high in calories and low in nutrients, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.

  • Sugar consumption is linked to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Managing Sugar Addiction: Steps to Take

If you feel you’re eating too much sugar, what’s the practical advice for an Earthling who wants to make informed and conscious choices and how can you manage this without feeling overwhelmed or restricted?

Jessie Inchauspé, aka the ‘Glucose Goddess is an expert in glucose management and metabolic health. Her insights are rooted in science and can help guide you toward making informed decisions about your nutrition. Jessie’s work is all about empowering individuals to take charge of their glucose levels, and so we have incorporated some of her practical tips along with others we’ve found from various science-backed research to help you begin your journey today.

Reducing Sugar Cravings and Managing Your Glucose Levels: Practical Steps Backed by Science

  1. 🥗 Start the Day Savory: Try to avoid sugary breakfasts and opt for savory meals instead to keep glucose levels stable. If you prefer something sweeter, go for natural sugar, like adding a ripe banana or cinnamon to your porridge rather than adding refined sugar or syrup! Here’s a scrumptious little savory recipe for your brekkie this week from Bre. We often enjoy this delicious Roasted Veggie and Hummus Wrap because, as the first meal of the day, it avoids a sugar spike and keeps us full and fueled for the day! Ailo loves this one too! 😉

  2. 🥒 Eat Your Veg First: When you eat, start with vegetables. Their fiber helps prevent glucose spikes when consuming carbs and sweeter foods later in the meal.

  3. 🚶Move After Eating - even if just for a short 10-minute walk (or, if you're Flo, by walking on a desk treadmill while holding baby Saje for a couple of hours and doing computer work!)

  4. ⚖️ Eat Balanced Meals: Focus on meals that include protein, healthy fats, and fiber to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes. Protein and fat are key to keeping you full and satisfied and reducing cravings.

  5. 😟 Control Stress: High cortisol levels, which occur during stress, can increase sugar cravings. Practicing mindfulness, yoga, or even taking a few minutes for deep breathing can help manage stress and reduce cravings. We have a collection of classes to help you manage stress here on the Wolfpack platform.

  6. 🚰 Stay Hydrated: Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger. Drinking water throughout the day can help reduce cravings and keep your body functioning optimally. Yes, it is so simple, yet most people fail to drink enough water.

  7. 🎚️ Gradual Reduction: If you’re used to eating sugar regularly, don’t try to eliminate it all at once. Gradually reduce your intake over time to help ease withdrawal symptoms.

  8. 😴 Get Enough Sleep: Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating hunger and cravings. Lack of sleep can disrupt hunger hormones, making you crave more sugar and unhealthy foods. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help balance your appetite and reduce cravings. Check out our article about sleep here.

Yoga and Managing Our Bodies and Energy Levels

Yoga invites us to deepen our awareness of both our bodies and energy, fostering a connection to our inner selves. Through mindful practice, we learn to recognize the subtle shifts in our energy and become more attuned to what nourishes us, both physically and spiritually. This awareness helps us break free from the cycle of seeking external highs, like sugar or addictive behaviors and instead cultivates a steady flow of energy rooted in balance and inner harmony. Just as yoga creates balance in our practice, it teaches us to align our choices with our highest well-being, nurturing lasting energy and spiritual clarity.

Embrace the process, be kind to yourself, and celebrate the small victories along the way. Life already gives us spice, salt, and sweetness…no need to add any more sugar to that.😉

May you find joy in every bite,

*Disclaimer: If you have diabetes or any other condition that affects your blood sugar, it’s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before making any big changes to your diet. This article is here to offer general tips and should be used alongside professional advice and as a launching pad for you to do your own research!

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🎧 Listen to The Glucose Goddess here, giving her 10 Glucose Hacks to get us all started on our glucose management journey.

📚 Check out her book, The Glucose Revolution | The life-changing power of balancing your blood sugar, for a fun and informative adventure into food's impact on your health.

📺 That Sugar Film (2014) - you can watch it n platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, or YouTube Movies, available for rent or purchase.

Cool stuff we recommend can all be found in the Breathe and Flow Kit here! From books and business tools to travel items and yoga props - we’ve got you covered!

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.

Jim Rohn

If you’ve read to the bottom, you’re our favorite but don’t tell the other yogis. ❤️ 😜

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