POWER OF INSULIN

2026 is here, we made it! But if you’re feeling a little more tired than usual, foggy, or uncomfortable in your clothes after one too many delicious ice creams or glasses of wine over the holidays… you’re not alone.

A few years ago, I was pretty clueless about insulin. But as my wellness journey has continued, I’ve learned just how powerfully what we eat and drink influences our insulin levels and why it’s a hormone we really should be paying attention to.

Insulin is often talked about only in relation to blood sugar, but it does so much more than that. Think of insulin as the conductor of your body’s energy orchestra. It tells your cells whether to burn energy or store it, whether to use fat for fuel or lock it away.  And it doesn’t just affect your body, it affects your brain too.

When insulin is balanced, your body can burn fat, and your brain has access to steady energy, When insulin is constantly elevated often due to carb loading or snacking, that steady fuel supply can be disrupted, leaving you feeling sluggish, foggy, or irritable (aka when the kids, partner or boss suddenly feel way more annoying than usual).

The good news is you can make a powerful difference through small intentional changes and as a start here are 3 hacks that I now live by which you can try

Choose Foods That Keep Insulin Steady

Instead of cutting out everything you love, try swapping one carb like pasta to quinoa, buckwheat or courgette noodles.  Experiment with options until you find what works for you and over time you will find that it gets easier.

Put “Clothes” on Your Carbs

When you eat carbs, ‘dress them’ with protein, healthy fat, or fiber, for example:

Toast + Peanut butter

Fruit + Greek Yoghurt or Nuts

Sandwich + Avocado

This simple step slows glucose absorption, helping your insulin stay balanced.

Give Your Body a Break At Night

Allow a longer gap between meals like eating within a 10 hour window gives your insulin a chance to drop. Over time, this helps your body burn stored fat for energy and can even boost mental clarity.  E.g. eat dinner at 6pm, no more food/alcohol/sugar drinks until you eat breakfast.  Instead enjoy water or a herbal tea without milk.

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