The Blood Sugar Rollercoaster...
"It's not as fun as it sounds"
Strap yourself in… this ride has more ups and downs than a theme park in July... and whether you realise it or not, you’ve probably been on it!
Let's start the ascent!
But before we do, we should analyse how we got here...
Now...normally, the reason you are on the rollercoaster in the first place is because you haven't realised you're on it yet...
You haven’t quite put two and two together that going to bed late the night before, waking up tired, and reaching for a quick fix in the morning has already strapped you in a thrill ride you never asked for!
Nevertheless...there you are, rushing out the door with just enough time for toast, cereal, or that “innocent” oat latte on the way to the station...
And...here...we....go!
The gates open and whoosh...your blood sugar is off to a flyer!
Energy surges through your veins...Dopamine shoots up like your arms on the climb...you’re riding the high, everything feels great…
FOR NOW!
But...what goes up... MUST come down!
The descent begins...
Your body slowly starts to realise what's happening to it and alerts your pancreas to radio the Insulin team....
"Get on the tracks before this goes off the rails!”
Insulin swoops in like a safety bar, pulling sugar out of your bloodstream and packing it into your cells for energy (or storage if there’s too much).
You may not see it yet, but you’re about to…
HIT. THE. DROP!
Your blood sugar plummets!
Your hands start shaking, your mood starts to nosedive, and those sweet cravings hit hard...
“GIVE ME SOMETHING SWEET… RIGHT NOW!”
And so, the ride continues...
Up⬆ and Down⬇....Up⬆ and Down⬇
Every peak followed by a crash, every rush followed by exhaustion.
Now imagine doing that three, four, five times a day...every day!!
Eventually, your body stops finding the ride so thrilling.
When the safety bars jam...
Remember those insulin safety bars?
They start to jam.
Your cells stop listening....they’re tired of the constant shouting.
This is what we call — Insulin resistance!
When your cells effectively say...
“You can keep on knocking, but we’re not opening the door anymore.”
The result...
More insulin is needed to get the same job done.
That extra insulin doesn’t just store sugar...it tells your body to store fat and hold onto inflammation.
Your body’s messaging system between insulin and your cells starts to break down.
Over time, the tracks that once ran smoothly start to buckle.
Your pancreas pushes harder, your cells become more resistant, and the rollercoaster becomes harder to control.
You’re on a one-way ticket to Diabetes Central!
It’s a dark tale, I grant you... and if you were partial to the occasional loop-the-loop, I’ve probably just put you off ever going to Thorpe Park again!
(Other theme parks are available.)
The good news, please, Ben?
This is how you get off the rollercoaster:
Build balanced meals — Ensure each meal includes protein, fibre, and healthy fats to slow glucose release and keep you full for longer.
Time your caffeine — Have coffee after breakfast, not before, to reduce cortisol and blood sugar spikes.
Prioritise rest and recovery — Quality sleep keeps insulin and hunger hormones balanced.
Manage stress — Chronic stress keeps cortisol high, which can make your body more insulin-resistant.
Move your body daily — Exercise is one of the most powerful ways to improve insulin sensitivity.
– Strength training builds muscle (your best glucose sponge).
– Walking after meals helps stabilise blood sugar naturally.
– Even small, frequent bouts of movement help flatten the curve.
Stay consistent — The goal isn’t perfection, it’s smoother tracks, steadier energy, and a body that listens to insulin again.
About the Author
Ben Cooper is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, and founder of Cooper Coaching and ReCooper8 — online programmes dedicated to gut health, hormonal balance, and cardiovascular wellness.
With over 15 years of experience in the health industry, Ben helps clients understand the real drivers behind energy crashes, cravings, and metabolic imbalance — and how to restore steady energy through nutrition, movement, and mindset.