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I’ll admit it: even as a nutritionist, I’m not perfect when it comes to my diet. I can definitely have a sweet tooth from time to time (hello, chocolate!) and, for years, I struggled with those pesky sugar cravings -especially in THAT week before my period. I know exactly how it feels to need to grab something quick for a pick-me-up on a busy day or give in to a craving. So, if you’ve ever felt like your eating habits aren’t quite where you want them to be, trust me - I’ve been there.
My most eye-opening moment came during my second pregnancy last year when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. At first, I was shocked. And, let’s be honest, a little embarrassed. Isn’t this what I help others manage? But the truth is, no one is immune - not even nutritionists!
Gestational diabetes isn’t a reflection of failure or bad habits; it’s simply the result of how pregnancy changes the way your body processes insulin. Thankfully, I was able to manage it with diet alone and welcomed my daughter, Eden, with a natural birth.
Here’s the surprising silver lining: this experience has made me a better nutritionist.
Living through the challenges of gestational diabetes gave me a much deeper understanding of how blood sugar impacts every aspect of health. Now, I’m even more equipped to help my clients navigate similar struggles with empathy, expertise, and personalised support.
Blood Sugar: It’s About More Than Diabetes
Here’s the thing: blood sugar affects much more than your risk of diabetes. It’s a cornerstone of how your body functions, impacting energy, mood, sleep, and—yes—hormones. If your blood sugar is on a rollercoaster, you’re going to feel it, whether it’s mid-afternoon crashes, insatiable sugar cravings, or waking up at 3 a.m. wondering why.
Sound familiar?
Keeping your blood sugar stable is one of the most effective ways to keep your hormones happy – and a key pillar of the work I do with my 1:1 clients.
The Blood Sugar-Hormone Connection
Hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and cortisol are heavily influenced by insulin (your blood sugar manager). When insulin is out of balance, it can trigger a domino effect, disrupting your other hormones.
Here’s a quick sciencey-but-not-too-sciencey breakdown:
During the first half of your cycle (the follicular phase), insulin sensitivity is higher. Your body can handle carbs better, and blood sugar tends to stay stable.
In the second half (the luteal phase), insulin sensitivity drops. Blood sugar swings become more likely, which can trigger symptoms like fatigue, cravings, moodiness, and breakouts.
Those blood sugar swings don’t just make you feel blah - they can also make PMS worse. If the week before your period feels like a hormonal tornado, this is huge.
Signs Your Blood Sugar Might Be Out of Whack
We often blame these symptoms on being “busy” or “getting older,” but they could be signs of blood sugar imbalance:
Feeling tired all the time (especially in the afternoon).
Craving sugar or caffeine to keep going.
Feeling hungry again an hour after eating.
Breaking out along your jawline.
Waking up in the middle of the night.
Feeling low, irritable, or anxious for no obvious reason.
If any of these symptoms resonate with you, it might be time to pay more attention to your blood sugar - and that’s where a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) comes in.
Why a CGM Could Be a Game-Changer
You might think, “I’m not diabetic - do I really need one?” But a CGM isn’t just for managing diabetes; it’s like having a health superpower. A CGM tracks your blood sugar 24/7, showing how your body responds to food, stress, exercise, and even sleep.
For example, one client swore her porridge with fruit and honey was a healthy breakfast - and for some people, it might be! But her CGM data showed her blood sugar spiked and crashed every morning, leaving her exhausted by 11 a.m. After tweaking her breakfast (adding protein and fat), her mornings became much easier and she was feeling a lot more energised.
The beauty of a CGM is that it removes the guesswork.
Instead of wondering why you feel tired or irritable, you get real-time insights over the course of the day, to make adjustments that actually work.
Beyond Food: The Bigger Picture
A CGM doesn’t just reveal how food affects you. It also shows how stress, exercise, and sleep play a role. For instance, you might find that a stressful meeting spikes your levels more than a slice of cake or that a 10-minute walk after dinner keeps your blood sugar steady.
Can It Help with PCOS?
If you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), managing blood sugar is even more critical. Insulin resistance, a key feature of PCOS, can lead to frequent blood sugar swings, worsening symptoms like fatigue, cravings, and weight gain. A CGM gives you clarity, showing how your body reacts to different foods and lifestyle factors, allowing you to make choices that stabilise your blood sugar. Over time, this can improve insulin sensitivity and help manage PCOS more effectively.
Take the First Step
I recommend trying a CGM for at least two weeks to uncover what’s really happening with your blood sugar. It’s like giving your body a chance to spill all its secrets. You can even order one here: [Freestyle Abbott CGM].
Balancing your blood sugar is foundational for overall health. Think of it as the base of a pyramid. At the bottom are cortisol and insulin - your stress and blood sugar managers. If these are out of whack, everything above them (like oestrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones) will struggle too. Before diving into complicated hormone protocols or supplements, start with blood sugar. It’s the easiest win.
If you’ve been feeling “off” and can’t quite figure out why, a CGM might be the game-changer you need. It offers valuable insights into your blood sugar patterns so you can make targeted changes to feel better and take control of your health. If you’d like guidance on using a CGM or interpreting the data, I’d love to help. Feel free to get in touch or book a free discovery call. Together, we can explore whether a CGM is right for you and how to use it effectively.
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