Stop Snacking

Why Snacking Isn't Good for Our Metabolic Health 

Why snacking isn't the best choice for our metabolic health and how it relates to managing or preventing Type 2 Diabetes, especially from the perspective of a low-carb Ketogenic diet.

1. Ketogenic Principles: The Ketogenic diet relies on low carbohydrate intake to encourage our bodies to enter a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel rather than carbohydrates. Snacking can disrupt this state.

2. Blood Sugar Control: One of the key benefits of the Ketogenic diet is its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. When we snack frequently on carbs, we introduce more glucose into our system, leading to blood sugar spikes and possibly crashes, which can contribute to insulin resistance—a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes.

3. Insulin Response: Frequent snacking triggers frequent insulin releases. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, where our cells become less responsive to insulin's effects, potentially increasing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

4. Digestive Rest: Allowing our digestive system to rest between meals is essential. Snacking doesn't give our digestive system the break it needs, potentially leading to chronic digestive issues and inflammation, which can worsen metabolic health.

5. Portion Control: Snacking often involves mindless munching (think nuts and pork rinds), making it challenging to control portion sizes. Overeating, even low-carb snacks, can still contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues.

6. Hormone Regulation: Ketosis helps regulate hormones like ghrelin and leptin, which control hunger and satiety. Frequent snacking can disrupt these hormones, making it harder to manage our appetite and body weight.

7. Inflammation: Chronic snacking may lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, which is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders like Type 2 Diabetes.

While snacking might seem harmless, it can have significant implications for our metabolic health, particularly when following a low-carb Ketogenic diet. To support our metabolic health and reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to consider the timing and quality of our meals, aiming for fewer, well-formulated, satiating, real food meals rather than frequent snacking.