The Importance of a Mid-Afternoon Snack for Blood Sugar Balance

Pictured above:  Chocolate Bliss Balls and Coconut Macaroon and Orange Slices

​Here's why it's important to have a mid-afternoon snack:

1. ​On average it's 6 hours between lunch and dinner.  After finishing work, driving home and preparing your dinner, it's just too long to wait to control your blood sugar.
2. As a result, your blood sugar drops which can result in a blood sugar crash.
3. A blood sugar crash causes low energy, irritability, tiredness, and the shakes. 
4. It can also cause lack of concentration, productivity, overeating at dinner and making bad food choices to fill the void.

What to do:

1. ​Plan and pack your mid-afternoon snack just like you plan your lunch. Try to include protein, fiber and a healthy fat.
2. Listen to your body. Notice when your blood sugar is low. (grumpy, tired, concentration problems)
   
3. Eat before you crash around 2-3 hours after lunch.
4. When consuming your snack, chew it well so it hits your blood stream faster.  Wait 20 minutes for the sugar to hit your blood stream.  Don't overeat.  Think about this snack as a natural rescue remedy for a sugar crash.

Snack Ideas:

1. ​A piece of fruit (an apple, berries) and handful of raw nuts or seeds.
2. Vegetables and hummus.
   
3. Energy Balls.
   
4. Smoothie or Green drink.