Is there anything I can do to reduce glucose spikes when I do eat carbohydrates?

Yes, there is. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Take a walk after the meal. A 10-20 minute walk after a meal can significantly reduce blood sugar spikes by burning off glucose so your body doesn’t have to store it.
  • Eat the protein first. If eating, say steak and a baked potato, eat the steak first, then the potato. Avoid eating carbohydrates alone; eat them only as part of a meal with protein and fat.
  • Work out before eating. A sufficiently intense workout can deplete some of the glycogen stored in our muscles, so some of the glucose from the meal will go towards replenishing it.
  • Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation makes us less sensitive to insulin.
  • Reduce stress, or do something to reduce your stress response. Stress hormones make us less sensitive to insulin.