Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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in Digestive Health· Stress and Adrenal Health· Weight Loss· Women's Health

I’m hangry! What does that mean?

You know the term, and you’ve probably whispered if not yelled the term in the course of your life. That point of no return, where nothing is pleasant, nothing is enjoyable, until you EAT SOMETHING!!  That’s what is affectionately known as: ‘hangry.’

So what exactly is happening? Believe it or not, ‘hangry’ is an actual term. When you get hungry, you also find yourself getting extremely irritable and short tempered. Your brain needs sugar to function. Plain and simple. Our bodies, after routines have been in place, come to expect meal time. If your body knows that it will soon be time to eat, it experiences a dip in glucose, and with that can come fluctuations in mood. The flip side is that you may also experience emotional changes if you have eaten a big meal and your glucose is too high. 

What about that afternoon slump after lunch? The reason you crave a nap after lunch may be due to eating a high amount of carbohydrates. 60 – 90 minutes after eating a high carb meal – out comes insulin to help aid in digestion – insulin helps put you into a restful state, hence the afternoon desire to nap. Often times the reason we don’t experience this same slump in the morning, is because our old friend caffeine is there to wake us up.

How can you help yourself feel more balanced and not so ‘hangry’ during the day? Simple. For breakfast try to focus on protein and fiber – this will bring more stability to your body (and blood sugar!) during the day. Try to eat at the same times every day (no more than 4-5 hours between meals), maintain a solid sleep schedule, hydrate, and eat more fermented foods like saurkraut, kimchi, yogurt, and miso. And stop snacking in between meals! Snacking can mess with your hunger cues. If you have constant need to snack, think about the balance of your meals. Eating balanced meals that are filling can prevent the blood-sugar roller coaster and lead to less hangry-ness in your day. 

With a solid schedule and a plan, you can turn hangry into happy!

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Do you take supplements? How did you decide which Do you take supplements?  How did you decide which ones were right for you?  One of my favorites that can benefit many is black elderberry. Have you heard of it? 
 
This powerful herb helps: 
Reduce inflammation
Enhance immune system
Benefit cardiovascular function
 
The second bullet point highlights why elderberry is SO important to take in winter months. Our immune systems are getting back up to speed this season after two years! Elderberry is well researched and shown to be an effective supplement for fighting bacteria and viruses. 

Share this post with a friend who may benefit from black elderberry.
If you are what you eat, what are you? I actually If you are what you eat, what are you?

I actually used to obsess over what I ate. That wasn’t a long term solution for good nutrition, so I’ve learned how to eat what makes me feel good and is health promoting. 

Learn more about how you can take control of your health with nutrition, click the link in bio.
The winter blues hit everyone differently. You mig The winter blues hit everyone differently. You might find yourself looking to food or sleep for comfort while the weather changes your sleep and mood.

While you can’t change the weather, here’s some proactive steps you can take to battle the blues: ❄️

🥕 Eat Your Veggies. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need to eat heavy, high fat processed foods. Explore recipes like hearty vegetable soups, roasted vegetables, and omega 3 rich foods. 

🏂 Go Outside. Exercise inside is fantastic, but don’t let that keep you from a brisk walk outside. 

🤗 Keep Social. Social interaction is important for your mood. Make sure to keep your social engagements even if you don’t feel like leaving your house. You will be glad you did.
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