How Walking After Eating Impacts Your Blood Sugar?

Even a short walk can make a positive difference
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, odds are good that blood sugar is often on your mind. And even if you don’t have diabetes, big blood sugar swings can take you from super energized to lethargic and hangry. That’s not fun for anyone.

Wouldn’t it be nice if something as simple as a short walk could help keep blood sugar in line? And, in fact, research suggests walking after eating can do just that. Nurse and diabetes care and education specialist Shannon Knapp, MEd, BSN, RN, CDCES, discusses the benefits of a post-meal walk and what else to consider when managing your blood sugar levels.

What causes high blood sugar?

Your body turns the carbohydrates you eat into sugar (glucose). When things are working well, your pancreas releases insulin. This hormone transports glucose into your cells, so your body can use it for energy. But when things aren’t working as they should, you can end up with high blood sugar.

Knapp says two things typically cause problematic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and insulin is at the root of both of them. You may have high blood sugar because your:

Pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin. Without enough insulin, glucose stays in your bloodstream and raises your blood glucose