Is Agave An OK Sugar Substitute? [68f4ae]

2025-09-13

Unlocking Optimal Health: Understanding Your Blood Sugar Range

The blood sugar level is a vital health indicator that can significantly impact our overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range is crucial for optimal health, and it's essential to understand what this range should be.

A random blood glucose test measures the average amount of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream between meals or before eating anything. The American Diabetes Association recommends the following ranges:

  • Fasting plasma glucose: Less than 100 mg/dL
  • Random plasma glucose: Less than 140 mg/dL

Managing Blood Sugar for Better Health

Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range requires more than just monitoring your levels; it's also essential to understand what factors contribute to fluctuations in your blood sugar. Diet and exercise are two critical components of managing blood sugar.

Regular physical activity can help lower and stabilize your blood sugar level by increasing insulin sensitivity, allowing glucose to enter cells more efficiently. On the other hand, a diet high in processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats can lead to insulin resistance, causing blood sugar levels to spike.

The Importance of Fiber for Blood Sugar Control

Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes play an essential role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that a high-fiber diet can improve glucose tolerance by reducing postprandial insulinemia.

Incorporating fiber into your daily meals helps slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. Aim to consume 25-30 grams of dietary fiber per day from whole foods rather than hot flashes and blood sugar relying on supplements or added fibers.

Balancing Blood Sugar with Meal Timing

Meal timing can significantly impact blood sugar regulation. Eating regularly throughout the day can help maintain stable energy levels and prevent excessive hunger, which may lead to poor food choices.

Aim for three main meals and one or two snacks in between, spaced evenly apart. Include a balance of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates at each meal to promote sustained glucose release. Consider consulting with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional to determine the best meal timing plan tailored to your lifestyle and nutritional needs.

The Science Behind Normal Blood Sugar Range

Insulin sensitivity is a critical factor in maintaining normal blood sugar ranges. Insulin resistance occurs when cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels. This condition can be caused by various factors such as genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, and certain medical conditions.

To improve insulin sensitivity, incorporate regular blood sugar 85 after eating aerobic exercise into your routine and maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and moderate caloric intake. Additionally, consider incorporating stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation to help manage cortisol levels and promote overall well-being.

Managing Blood Sugar During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a unique situation that requires careful blood sugar management. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the following gestational diabetes screening schedule:

Maintaining normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy is crucial for fetal growth and development. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and healthy fats to support gestational diabetes management.

Tracking Your Blood Sugar Range

Regularly monitoring your blood sugar range can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your treatment plan or lifestyle modifications. Consider investing in an accurate glucometer for home use and aim to track at least four times per day: fasting, pre-meal, postprandial (1-2 hours after eating), bedtime snack before sleep.

Keep a logbook to record your blood sugar readings, meals consumed, exercise activities, stress levels, and any medications taken. This will help identify trends or patterns in your blood glucose levels that may require adjustments to your treatment plan.

Agave is a liquid sweetener extracted from a plant. It has a low glycemic index, which means it doesn’t spike your blood sugar, so why would I say it is not an acceptable sugar substitute? I explain in this video. In the video, you’ll learn... *how processing destroys the nutrient value of agave *why the type of sugar found in agave makes it unhealthy *my recommendation in regards to all sugar substitutes **************** Get Dr. Becky's books on Amazon or your favorite retailer: Zero Sugar / One Month: Intermittent Fasting Diet Guide and Cookbook: Get started with Dr. Becky for free: Learn her 4 Daily Habits (0,1,2,3 Strategy) for Weight Loss: Are you up for the challenge? Take our 21-Day LOW-CARB or KETO Challenge: Reach your goal by joining Dr. Becky's Freedom Weight Loss Coaching Program: For Products Shown in Videos: (affiliate/paid link) Like Dr. Becky Fitness on Facebook: Join Dr. Becky on Instagram: @drbeckyfitness Join Dr. Becky on Twitter @DrBeckyFitness Visit Dr. Becky's 2nd YouTube Channel: 2 Fit Docs More Videos by Dr. Becky: Is Honey OK on My Low-Carb Diet: Fatty Liver: What Is It? Do You Have It? How To Fix It. How sugar substitutes affected my blood glucose and ketones Is Fruit a Problem on My Diet: 5 Low-Carb, High-Fat Foods to Eat Every day: Links to the studies mentioned in my videos can be found on my blog by typing the video name into the search: ************ Disclaimer: Dr. Becky Gillaspy, DC received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1991. Her use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to herself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Gillaspy was a licensed chiropractor in Pennsylvania, but she no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Gillaspy and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Dr Becky Fitness LLC and Dr. Rebecca Gillaspy, D.C. are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any conclusions drawn, services or product you obtain through this video or site.
Is Agave an OK Sugar Substitute?