Blood Sugar Crashes & Cravings
Blood sugar dips and strong cravings can leave you feeling tired, irritable, shaky, hungry soon after eating (know that 'hangry feeling?') or suddenly in need of something sweet or starchy. These patterns can be confusing and disruptive, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere.
Blood sugar responses vary widely between individuals and are shaped by your hormones, lifestyle, sleep, digestion and stress levels. Experiencing crashes or cravings doesn’t mean you’re lacking willpower, it simply means your body is signalling that something in your diet, routine or stress load needs more support. This guide explores why these symptoms differ from person to person, what may contribute and how a personalised approach can help you feel more steady throughout the day.
What do blood sugar imbalances feel like?
Two people can eat the same breakfast and have completely different energy patterns after it. That’s because blood sugar regulation is highly individual. Hormones, sleep, menstrual cycle phase, digestive health, stress levels and even how fast you eat all influence how your body responds to food.
Some people experience post-meal crashes, where energy dips suddenly. Others feel strong cravings during the afternoon or evening. Perimenopause can also influence blood sugar, making dips or surges more noticeable.
What can lead to blood sugar crashes and cravings?
Diet plays a big role in stabilising blood sugar, but exercise, stress and sleep are just as important. Key areas that impact blood sugar regulation include:
Eating irregularly or long gaps between meals - fasting isn't suitable for everyone
Skipping breakfast
Low protein or low fibre intake
Highly processed foods
Coffee on an empty stomach
High stress levels
Poor sleep
Menstrual cycle changes, especially during the luteal phase (the two weeks before your period)
Inconsistent hydration
Digestive issues
Nutritional Therapy for stabilising blood sugars
When you work with me, we'll explore how your energy, mood, hunger and cravings shift throughout your day and across your cycle. This helps us understand the patterns behind your symptoms, not just the moments where they feel strongest.
In your first consultation we'll take the time to build a picure of your health history and explore your diet, movement and lifestyle in detail. You'll leave with a personalised plan that includes adjustments to meal structure, protein intake, breakfast habits, caffeine timing, hydration, sleep and stress-supportive practices.
Working over three months gives us time to explore your eating patterns, balance of protein and fibre, sleep hygiene, craving triggers and emotional patterns and menstural cycle influences.
Follow-up sessions help refine your approach as your body becomes more balanced. Between sessions you'll be able to check in via your client portal, so you're not left alone trying to figure it all out.
When to speak to your GP
You should speak to your GP if you experience dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, extreme fatigue, unexplained weight changes, persistent thirst, frequent urination or symptoms that feel unusual, severe or are worsening. It’s also important to seek medical guidance if you have concerns about diabetes or other metabolic conditions.
Nutritional therapy can complement medical care, but it should not replace appropriate testing or treatment.