{"id":29906,"date":"2026-08-09T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T12:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/?p=29906"},"modified":"2026-08-08T22:35:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T03:35:49","slug":"an-expert-says-the-habits-that-keep-blood-sugar-steady-work-without-pills-and-the-one-she-puts-first-happens-before-you-eat-breakfast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/an-expert-says-the-habits-that-keep-blood-sugar-steady-work-without-pills-and-the-one-she-puts-first-happens-before-you-eat-breakfast-29906\/","title":{"rendered":"An expert says the habits that keep blood sugar steady work without pills, and the one she puts first happens before you eat breakfast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blood sugar is not only a concern for people with diabetes. Glucose is one of the body\u2019s main fuels, but sharp changes can affect energy and make the day feel like a cycle of brief highs followed by sudden slumps. Small changes at the table and after a meal can make a measurable difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Family physician and microbiota educator Sara Mar\u00edn has highlighted five simple habits aimed at slowing the arrival of glucose into the bloodstream and helping muscles use it more effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her approach centers on food order, soluble fiber, protein at breakfast, walking after meals, and regular strength training, but it should be viewed as support rather than a substitute for treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-a00da4e5\">\n<div><div class=\"gb-looper-46613eed\">\n<div class=\"gb-loop-item gb-loop-item-a8390598 post-29906 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-nutrition resize-featured-image\">\n<h3 class=\"gb-text gb-text-24a51617\">Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/an-expert-says-the-habits-that-keep-blood-sugar-steady-work-without-pills-and-the-one-she-puts-first-happens-before-you-eat-breakfast-29906\/\">An expert says the habits that keep blood sugar steady work without pills, and the one she puts first happens before you eat breakfast<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/diabetes\/overview\/managing-diabetes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Institute of Diabetes<\/a> and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that many people with type-2 diabetes still need medication and everyone with type-1 diabetes requires insulin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eat vegetables first<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mar\u00edn\u2019s first recommendation is to begin a meal with vegetables, continue with protein, and leave carbohydrate-rich foods until the end. As she puts it, \u201cThe order of the meal does change the result,\u201d while protein and fiber act \u201clike a brake for glucose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea has some experimental support. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31053510\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">randomized crossover trial<\/a> led by Lijuan Sun at the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, 16 healthy adults had a smaller overall glucose response when they ate vegetables before meat and rice than when they started with rice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, meal order is one tool, not a free pass to ignore portions or food quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1013\" src=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-glucose-1.jpg\" alt=\"A healthy meal featuring vegetables and protein arranged to help maintain steady blood sugar levels.\" class=\"wp-image-29908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-glucose-1.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-glucose-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-glucose-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-glucose-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-glucose-1-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Family physician Sara Mar\u00edn outlines five daily habits, starting with food order, to manage glucose without pills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make soluble fiber routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/five-reasons-to-add-peas-to-your-diet-sounds-boring-until-the-twist-shows-up-in-protein-fiber-and-what-it-does-to-blood-sugar-27799\/\">Soluble fiber<\/a> is the kind that mixes with water and forms a gel-like material in the digestive tract. That can slow digestion and delay how quickly sugar is absorbed, which is why Mar\u00edn recommends including it regularly throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beans, fruit, and oat products are common food sources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A review led by Yajuan Xie at Huazhong University of Science and Technology combined 29 randomized trials involving 1,517 adults with type-2 diabetes and found that soluble fiber supplements lowered the long-term blood sugar measure known as A1C by about six-tenths of a percentage point and fasting glucose by roughly 16 mg\/dL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results varied across studies, so food and fiber supplements should not be treated as interchangeable cures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Put protein into breakfast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third habit is to make <a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/the-empty-breakfast-thats-harming-your-muscles-without-you-realizing-it-and-why-the-first-mistake-is-usually-made-within-the-first-10-minutes-of-the-day-27321\/\">breakfast<\/a> less dependent on refined carbohydrates and ultraprocessed foods. Protein takes longer to digest than many sugary breakfast choices and may improve fullness, making it easier to avoid the familiar midmorning crash and snack hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-20dad755\">\n<div><div class=\"gb-looper-8a1bc924\">\n<div class=\"gb-loop-item gb-loop-item-0c451c62 post-29890 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-psychology resize-featured-image\">\n<h3 class=\"gb-text gb-text-89cf6dc5\">Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/psychology\/gabriel-garcia-marquez-on-life-it-is-nothing-but-a-continuous-run-of-chances-to-survive-and-that-is-why-people-keep-quoting-it-29890\/\">Gabriel Garcia Marquez on life: it is nothing but a continuous run of chances to survive, and that is why people keep quoting it<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research does not point to one perfect breakfast for everyone, but controlled studies suggest that a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/36615743\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">higher-protein morning meal<\/a> can reduce the glucose rise after breakfast and may also influence later meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The aim is balance rather than turning breakfast into an oversized plate of meat or relying on a protein powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Walk after eating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mar\u00edn recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/sports\/science-suggests-that-people-who-go-for-a-walk-every-day-arent-just-racking-up-steps-theyve-often-found-a-gentle-sustainable-way-to-protect-their-heart-stabilize-their-metabolism-an-24892\/\">walking<\/a> for at least 15 minutes after a meal. The reason is straightforward. Working muscles need energy, so even low-intensity movement gives the body an immediate place to send some of the glucose entering the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A University of Otago trial led by Andrew Reynolds followed 41 adults with type-2 diabetes. Walking for 10 minutes after each main meal produced better post-meal glucose control than completing one 30-minute walk at another time of day, with the strongest improvement after dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1013\" src=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-breakfast.jpg\" alt=\"A healthy breakfast rich in protein and fiber, representing lifestyle habits for maintaining steady blood sugar levels throughout the day.\" class=\"wp-image-29909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-breakfast.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-breakfast-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-breakfast-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-breakfast-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sara-marin-blood-sugar-steady-habits-breakfast-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Physician Sara Mar\u00edn outlines effective daily habits, including food order and morning protein, to support steady blood sugar levels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That makes a short walk around the block more than a way to clear your head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build muscle over time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final recommendation is <a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/health\/eat-a-little-less-walk-briskly-and-add-one-pantry-staple-a-six-year-spanish-study-says-this-trio-could-help-hold-off-diabetes-29433\/\">regular strength training<\/a>. Muscle can take up glucose for energy and store part of it for later use, so maintaining more active muscle tissue can improve the body\u2019s capacity to handle glucose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This does not require bodybuilding or a crowded gym. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends muscle-strengthening activity on two days each week, alongside about 150 minutes of moderate exercise, while <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/14747278\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">research has found<\/a> that strength training can increase insulin-mediated glucose uptake in people with type-2 diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Helpful habits, not a replacement for care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taken together, these habits create a simple pattern. Start with fiber-rich foods, include protein, save most carbohydrates for later in the meal, move afterward, and train the muscles regularly. The changes are modest, but that may be exactly why people can repeat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-e743e5ae\">\n<div><div class=\"gb-looper-3cbeab88\">\n<div class=\"gb-loop-item gb-loop-item-85182ccf post-29885 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-health resize-featured-image\">\n<h3 class=\"gb-text gb-text-0dc8eba0\">Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/health\/the-old-remedies-for-cleaning-out-your-gut-still-work-and-the-one-doctors-do-not-object-to-uses-two-ingredients-29885\/\">The old remedies for cleaning out your gut still work, and the one doctors do not object to uses two ingredients<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone taking insulin or medicines that can cause low blood sugar should discuss changes in meal timing or exercise with a health professional. Physical activity can lower glucose for hours, and medication doses may need to be considered as part of a personal care plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guidance was published by Sara Mar\u00edn in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DOB8eQJD8RL\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Instagram video<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blood sugar is not only a concern for people with diabetes. Glucose is one of the body\u2019s main fuels, but &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"An expert says the habits that keep blood sugar steady work without pills, and the one she puts first happens before you eat breakfast\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/an-expert-says-the-habits-that-keep-blood-sugar-steady-work-without-pills-and-the-one-she-puts-first-happens-before-you-eat-breakfast-29906\/#more-29906\" aria-label=\"Read more about An expert says the habits that keep blood sugar steady work without pills, and the one she puts first happens before you eat breakfast\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":29907,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nutrition","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29906"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29910,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29906\/revisions\/29910"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}