What does Blood Sugar have to do with Fertility?

Blood Sugar & Fertility

What exactly does blood sugar have to do with your fertility? Well…everything!

Have you ever felt anxious, irritable or faint and just needed a quick snack to get you back on track? If so, then the word “hangry” must be in your vocabulary. These are signs of blood sugar dysregulation and they can play an effect on your fertility as well as overall health.

What does blood sugar have to do with your fertility? Well, just about everything! Blood sugar affects everything from sperm health to ovulation. It's imperative to keep it balanced. Blood sugar plays a role in regulating our hormones. It effects our stress hormone cortisol as well as our sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. 

In an ideal world, we want our blood sugar to be steady throughout the day with gentle ups and downs as we eat, then digest and rest. The steady rise and fall will allow our moods and energy to be even and steady throughout the day with no need for afternoon crashes and large cups of coffee with a side of cookies.

 This balanced body and mind is possible but does not happen for many of us. Oftentimes we suffer an afternoon crash where we just feel so exhausted and so we reach for that extra cup of coffee, soda or cookie as the much needed pick me up. Pay attention to that afternoon fatigue and sugar cravings. These are all important signs that our body is always giving us about what is going on with our blood sugar. 

How do we keep our blood sugar balanced? By making sure each meal is well balanced with protein, fat and fiber. This may seem tricky at first but once you start with a few basic tips you will be on your way to having  stable blood sugar and happy hormones. 

Start with breakfast and make sure you don’t skip it. Take note that starting your day with a big cup of coffee without any breakfast will be a sure way to raise your stress hormones and start your blood sugar off on a rocky road for the rest of the day, ensuring an afternoon crash.  Instead, begin with a balanced meal of protein,  with added fiber and good quality fat. This can be something as simple as a yogurt of your choice topped with added nuts, seeds and berries. Or more elaborate with bacon, sautéed veggies and an omelet. By eating a nutrient dense breakfast you are setting your blood sugar up with the proper fuel to remain steady throughout the day. The nutrient dense meal will keep you full until your next meal which should be lunch and then dinner. Try to do little to no snacking in between meals as your body needs time to rest and digest, to process the blood sugar so that it is not constantly spiking or dropping. Constant snacking can be detrimental to your blood sugar as it has to constantly be breaking food down into glucose and finding a place to put it. Give your body a break from all of the hard work.

So the next time you wake up in the morning, don’t immediately reach for that cup of coffee, try breaking your fast with a nutritious meal so your hormones are happy and you are not hangry.