Eating Healthy Nutritious Food wonders...How Does Caffeine Affect Blood Sugar?
Posted Sep 01 2008 7:04pm
Well, it's been an exciting and challenging few days for me. Earlier this week I decided to take myself off of caffeine...once more. I say "once more" because I've been down this road MANY times before.
This is the way the cycle usually works for me It all begins with an occasional cup of tea or coffee to "get me thru" when I am exceedingly tired or needing energy for something.
Then, I am drinking coffee or tea every morning to get the old gears ready to go. I think, "Hmmm, not too bad, I'm not really dependent on it like so many others are!"
Next, I am feeling that I could use another cup or two in the afternoon or early evening.
By the time my caffeine consumption is up around 2-3 cups per day of coffee or tea, I cruise along like that for a few months with no apparent problems.
The only drawback is that it ALWAYS catches up with me! Eventually, I find myself with aching muscles, more frequent headaches, and a digressing loss of energy. By this time, the 2-3 servings a day aren't giving me any stimulation or increase in energy for the long run...A quick jump start, but a quick let-down as well will follow.
I am one who drinks at least 1/2 gallon of water a day, so I know that my problems stem from much more than simple hydration.
This is where I was when I finally decided, on Friday morning, to detox and crept thru the day just praying that the withdrawal headache wouldn't be too bad. Today is the 3rd day, and I can say that I feel better than I have in so many months! My muscles are more relaxed and, though I had a slight headache the first 2 days, I am rejoicing, because it could have been much worse. I also feel more rested when I awaken and do not wake up in a fog like I did when using caffeine.
One interesting thing I noticed...I seemed to struggle more with my blood sugar dropping way low when I used caffeine. This was one thing that kept me going back for "another round". I would get so very groggy and low and need more caffeine to counteract it...which in turn would just cause the same groggy, lowness a few hours later, until I was just a rat on a wheel waiting for the next fix, so to speak!
So, if you're planning a caffeine detox anytime soon I suggest you take these hints on making that transition as smooth as possible:
1) The first day you'll want to drink about a gallon and 1/2 of water. Keep it room temperature so that you'll drink more and add 1/4 lemon wedge per serving to help detox your kidneys and liver.
2) If you're wanting a hot drink, try lemon wedges in hot water with added honey, stevia, or agave sweetener--but use these only in VERY small amounts. Find an herbal tea you like too.
3) DO NOT USE SUGAR OR HEAVY STARCH for 3 days. You'll want to focus on fresh fruits and vegetables every time you eat. AVOID snacking on junk snacks like crackers and chips.
4) DO NOT let yourself get overly hungry. A good target is to eat about every 2 hours. This will keep your blood sugar levels normal and keep you from crashing and running to the caffeine.
5) Scheduling this detox will be easier for you if you have the time to sleep when you feel like you need to. Do not be overly active the first day or you'll get stressed out and give up.
Let me say, I am NOT morally opposed to caffeine or anything like that. I am glad to finally be off of it, but I am not writing this to tell you what to do. I'm just here, as always, to encourage you should you decide to discontinue consuming caffeine...and to encourage you to keep eating healthy nutritious food.
This is the way the cycle usually works for me
It all begins with an occasional cup of tea or coffee to "get me thru" when I am exceedingly tired or needing energy for something.
Then, I am drinking coffee or tea every morning to get the old gears ready to go. I think, "Hmmm, not too bad, I'm not really dependent on it like so many others are!"
Next, I am feeling that I could use another cup or two in the afternoon or early evening.
By the time my caffeine consumption is up around 2-3 cups per day of coffee or tea , I cruise along like that for a few months with no apparent problems.
The only drawback is that it ALWAYS catches up with me! Eventually, I find myself with aching muscles, more frequent headaches , and a digressing loss of energy. By this time, the 2-3 servings a day aren't giving me any stimulation or increase in energy for the long run...A quick jump start, but a quick let-down as well will follow.
I am one who drinks at least 1/2 gallon of water a day, so I know that my problems stem from much more than simple hydration.
This is where I was when I finally decided, on Friday morning, to detox and crept thru the day just praying that the withdrawal headache wouldn't be too bad. Today is the 3rd day, and I can say that I feel better than I have in so many months! My muscles are more relaxed and, though I had a slight headache the first 2 days, I am rejoicing, because it could have been much worse. I also feel more rested when I awaken and do not wake up in a fog like I did when using caffeine.
One interesting thing I noticed...I seemed to struggle more with my blood sugar dropping way low when I used caffeine. This was one thing that kept me going back for "another round". I would get so very groggy and low and need more caffeine to counteract it...which in turn would just cause the same groggy, lowness a few hours later, until I was just a rat on a wheel waiting for the next fix, so to speak!
So, if you're planning a caffeine detox anytime soon I suggest you take these hints on making that transition as smooth as possible:
1) The first day you'll want to drink about a gallon and 1/2 of water. Keep it room temperature so that you'll drink more and add 1/4 lemon wedge per serving to help detox your kidneys and liver.
2) If you're wanting a hot drink, try lemon wedges in hot water with added honey, stevia, or agave sweetener --but use these only in VERY small amounts. Find an herbal tea you like too.
3) DO NOT USE SUGAR OR HEAVY STARCH for 3 days. You'll want to focus on fresh fruits and vegetables every time you eat. AVOID snacking on junk snacks like crackers and chips.
4) DO NOT let yourself get overly hungry. A good target is to eat about every 2 hours. This will keep your blood sugar levels normal and keep you from crashing and running to the caffeine.
5) Scheduling this detox will be easier for you if you have the time to sleep when you feel like you need to. Do not be overly active the first day or
you'll get stressed out and give up.
Finally, here's an article I found online that discusses the link between caffeine consumption and insulin sensitivity http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20020206/caffeine-disturbs-blood-sugar-hormone
Let me say, I am NOT morally opposed to caffeine or anything like that. I am glad to finally be off of it, but I am not writing this to tell you what to do. I'm just here, as always, to encourage you should you decide to discontinue consuming caffeine...and to encourage you to keep eating healthy nutritious food .
Merry K.