3 Eating Habits that Increase Your Risk for Metabolic Diseases
What you eat is a fundamental tool for building your health, but did you know that the way you eat your food is important too?
I’m sure you’ll agree that metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, are best avoided–and my goal today is to share some valuable insights into the three common eating habits that increase your risk for developing metabolic diseases so that you can make more empowered choices.
Snacking
Snacking is a mixed bag.
When you snack, you don’t give your gut the chance to regenerate and heal itself. When your gut has to constantly digest food, it has less time to clean and heal. Your gut has a cleansing mechanism called the migrating motor complex or MMC for short. This “housekeeping” mechanism is interrupted by feeding and needs about 4-5 hrs between meals to kick in.
If you are struggling with an imbalance in blood sugar such as high blood sugar or insulin resistance, prolonging your eating frequency might help you (aka less snacking). This is less helpful if you have adrenal issues, low blood pressure, or low blood sugar so please work with a practitioner if you are unsure.
Another consideration is if you have inflammation, especially if you are experiencing symptom flare ups after eating. Around four hours after eating, the food you eat crosses from the gut into your bloodstream. If your gut isn’t functioning optimally, your gut microbes and their components leak into the bloodstream, which triggers an immune response. Normally, this inflammatory response is short-term or temporary, BUT it can be exacerbated if you always put food in your system (aka snacking). This low-grade inflammation is associated with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Eating Late
Eating right also means eating at the right time. When you eat late at night, your body tends to metabolize slowly due to differences in body temperature, hormonal levels, biochemical reactions, and the ability of your gut to digest and absorb food nutrients (digestive juice output).
Some studies show that eating late at night (think 8-10pm or later), reduces fat burning even when caloric intake is equal AND worsens blood sugar balance.
Not Eating Enough or Skipping Meals
Some people tend to misinterpret diet programs or adhere to diet fads that lead them to not eat enough, and the result can be undernourishment, reduced metabolic function, ironically storing more body fat (especially around your organs), and even being underweight. True, most people under eat because they are trying to lose weight, but it can be dangerous to do so.
Check out these nine signs and symptoms of undereating here.
If you are experienced with intermittent fasting or other types of fasting and you feel great doing it–awesome! However, if you are feeling depleted, cranky, light-headed, and find that your appetite goes UP regularly, those are indications you need to fine-tune your approach.
Some great habits to add at mealtimes are to practice mindfulness and gratitude during meals. By being present while eating, you are going to be conscious of the food you put on your plate and appreciate the nutrition you are providing to yourself.
It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.
If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).
Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca
