Tips on how to keep from being HANGRY!

November started off strong! Day 3 of my program and knocked out MMA Speed in 30 min from my living room–and sweat! It was harder today as I was sore from yesterday–YAY–it is working  Afterwards, I got in my “coffee” and “dessert” fix w/ my FLUFFY smoothie. Best part? I’ve already consumed 5 salads and 70+ superfoods by 10 am to nourish and energize me for the day…and in frap form. WINNING.
***Now, today I want to give you TIPS on how to KEEP FROM BEING HANGRY!

You’ve likely heard the term “hangry” or even experienced it yourself. You know, that feeling you get when you’re past the point of being hungry and are now angry, moody, or irritable. Like to the point where anyone who crosses your path better watch out.
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But hanger is really just a catchy buzzword for the state we get in as the result of low blood sugar. Maybe you experience it when you’ve gone far too long without eating, or soon after you’ve eaten a meal or snack that mostly consisted of carbohydrates (and usually simple, refined ones).
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Keeping your blood balanced is important for maintaining consistent energy and a stable mood, reducing the risk of developing disease, and helping your body burn fat. While it’s normal for levels to fluctuate throughout the day, you never want them to get too low or too high. Here’ some tips for how to do so.
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1. Protein digests slowly, so it helps minimize those big spikes in blood sugar. Including a serving with every meal you eat, (anywhere from 20-40 grams of protein per meal and around 15 grams if you’re having a snack) will also help keep you fuller for longer, so you avoid those dips in energy.
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2. If you’ve ever eaten a sugary treat and then felt like you wanted a nap an hour later, then you’ve experienced a blood sugar crash. Prevent this by not eating processed or sugary foods alone, and instead pair it with some source of protein and a little fat.
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3. Eating lots of high fiber foods, especially fruits and vegetables, will prevent blood sugar from rising too high, as it slows the release of other nutrients into the blood stream. Do your best to fill half your plate with fibrous veggies and add a little fruit id desired. A piece of fruit along with a little protein can also make for a great snack.
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4. Eating larger meals that are spaced out at even intervals can be better than grazing throughout the day. And when you eat on a consistent schedule, your body will get used to those intervals, so you can better predict when you will be hungry.
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5. Stress and lack of sleep can both increase cortisol, causing blood sugar become too elevated. Try aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep and do what you can to reduce your stress.