If you have been told by your doctor that you have diabetes or prediabetes, or even if you are just concerned about developing diabetes in the future, you should think about your diet as a key element in keeping your blood sugar level. Unfortunately, there are no foods that actually lower your blood sugar, but there are foods that do not spike your blood sugar quickly. Think about high fiber foods, carbohydrates that do not come from refined sugars, and carbohydrates that are slowly digested by your body, like those that come from vegetables and whole grains. What is the Glycemic Index? The glycemic index is a number given to foods to indicate how fast they will affect the GlycoMode Glucose Support level in your blood (on a scale from 1 to 100). Dr. David Jenkins developed the glycemic index at the University of Toronto in 1981.5 Dr. Jenkins was conducting research on how people with Type 1 diabetes can control blood sugar, and that led him to understanding more about the role of carbohydrates in blood glucose levels.

When you eat, your body converts the food to energy for the body, and one of those conversions is to provide sugar to the body. Foods that convert to sugar more slowly provide a more continuous source of energy, without the spikes in blood sugar that can lead to a "crash", causing low energy and lethargy. The list below is incomplete, but it can help you start thinking about foods that that provide slow and steady energy to the body. Harvard has a longer list of foods and their glycemic index at this link2. Foods that have few or no carbohydrates do not have a glycemic index value. The glycemic index refers only to foods with carbohydrates, so meat, chicken, pork, and eggs are examples of foods that do not have a glycemic index. Diabetes is growing significantly in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating that 9.4% of the country’s population (30 million people) has diabetes.

Diabetes can be silent, developing without any symptoms or indications that it is damaging the body’s organs. The complications from diabetes are numerous. Having diabetes puts one at significantly higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. Circulation problems in the legs can develop because of diabetes, and in the worst instances, can lead to tissue death requiring amputation. Diabetes can also damage the nerves (called neuropathy), causing tingling, numbness, and burning pain in the hands and feet. Diabetes also damages the filtering system in the kidneys, leading to kidney disease that could require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Symptoms of depression are more common in people with diabetes, which can affect diabetes management. Treatment for diabetes may include insulin, medications to stimulate insulin production in the pancreas, weight loss, and increased activity. People with diabetes are required to monitor their blood glucose levels several times a day.4 Recent research also shows that patient education about diabetes, what causes it, and how to manage it, results in better outcomes.4 This could include seeking the help of a nutritionist or physical trainer. The new research also recommends that doctors manage the risk for heart disease caused by diabetes, especially if glucose targets are not being met consistently.

I still remember lying awake on Christmas Eve as a kid, my mind racing with visions of presents and reindeer on the roof. Now, as a parent, I see the same wide-eyed struggle, and honestly, I’m not immune either. Between the anticipation bubbling over, late-night wrapping sessions, too many cookies, and screens glowing past bedtime, Christmas Eve turns into a sleep disaster for the whole family. The travel exhaustion doesn’t help either. But I’ve learned that with the right approach, mixing a little science, some festive rituals, and realistic expectations, we can all drift off more peacefully, even on the most magical night of the year. Why It’s Hard to Fall Asleep on Christmas Eve? Christmas Eve hits us with a perfect storm of sleep disruptors. The excitement and anticipation spike our cortisol levels, keeping our brains buzzing when they should be winding down. Our routines go out the window; we’re traveling, eating dinner at odd hours, staying up later than usual, and navigating houseguests.

Then there’s the overstimulation: holiday desserts loaded with sugar, back-to-back Christmas movies, and kids glued to their devices. Kids struggle with sensory overload and visions of Santa, while we adults battle a different monster: stress from last-minute wrapping, hosting duties, and that mental checklist that won’t quit. How to Fall Asleep on Christmas Eve? At any age, eight or eighty, falling asleep on Christmas Eve requires intentional wind-down strategies. These science-backed techniques work for the whole family, helping everyone transition from holiday chaos to restful sleep. Start your evening wind-down at least an hour before bed. Dim the lights, draw a warm bath, slip into cozy pajamas, and play soft instrumental music. This signals your brain that it’s time to shift gears. A consistent routine, even on special nights, helps your body recognize sleep cues and naturally produce melatonin. Move holiday movie marathons to earlier in the evening. The blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to feel sleepy.