Struggling with mid-day energy crashes, intense cravings, or blood sugar swings after meals? In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, Dr. Colleen Gulick breaks down five natural, science-backed strategies to help you balance blood sugar levels without restrictive dieting.

You’ll learn how pairing carbs with protein and healthy fats can flatten glucose spikes, why cooling starches increases resistant starch for steadier energy, and how simple post-meal movement can improve glucose uptake. We also explore the blood-sugar benefits of intentional hydration (including how GOOD IDEA with meals supports a smoother glucose curve), plus evidence-based supplements like berberine and inositol for added metabolic support.

Tune in to discover practical habits you can start today to support more stable energy, better appetite control, and long-term glucose balance, all rooted in real science.

Keywords:
blood sugar balance, natural blood sugar control, science-backed glucose management, post-meal glucose support, GOOD IDEA drink benefits, resistant starch, blood sugar stability tips

Welcome to the GOOD IDEA Audio Blog with Dr. Colleen Gulick. In this episode, she covers how you can enjoy the holiday season and support your blood sugar and energy levels with smart, easy swaps.

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to send your glucose and energy into a tailspin. Instead of skipping the feast (or going full “all-in” with guilt), you can apply a few science-backed strategies to make your favorite foods work for you. She covers eight practical swap-ideas including:

• Starting your meal with fiber-rich veggies and protein instead of the bread basket—to blunt post-meal blood sugar spikes

• Choosing mashed cauliflower or roasted sweet potatoes as a lower-impact alternative to traditional mashed potatoes

• Incorporating resistant starch (yes, your leftover potatoes can become a metabolic ally)

• Pairing dessert with protein or healthy fat instead of just sugar and carbs

• Replacing sugary drinks with sparkling water, citrus, or GOOD IDEA’s functional drink to support steady GLP-1 and stable glucose

• Taking a short walk right after dinner to boost insulin sensitivity and reduce that post-meal slump

• Swapping heavy dips (sour cream/mayo) for Greek-yogurt or avocado-based dips rich in protein and healthy fats

• Eating a balanced breakfast or lunch before the big feast so you don’t arrive ravenous and prone to overeat

I love breaking down the science and bringing you the why behind each swap... not just the “what.” You’ll get actionable advice you can use this holiday, and all year long, to keep your metabolism humming, your energy sustained, and your performance optimized.

Tune in and let’s transform your holiday plate into a performance-friendly, blood-sugar-smart feast.

Keywords: healthy Thanksgiving swaps, blood sugar control, holiday nutrition for athletes, metabolic health, post-meal strategy, resistant starch, GOOD IDEA drink, sport performance nutrition, athlete lifestyle, steady energy.

In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, we discuss metabolic flexibility, your body’s ability to seamlessly switch between burning glucose and fat depending on energy demand. Dr. Colleen Gulick explores:

• What metabolic flexibility really means and why it’s a key pillar of metabolic health

• The negative consequences when fuel switching becomes impaired (like blood sugar crashes, cravings, insulin resistance, and fatigue)

• Science-backed strategies to train your metabolism for greater flexibility, including blood sugar stabilization, intermittent fasting, exercise programming, and mitochondrial support

• Practical tips you can apply immediately to improve energy balance, resilience, and metabolic function

This episode will give you a clearer understanding of how your body can become more adaptable and healthier from the inside out.

Tune in now and learn how metabolic flexibility might be the missing piece in your health puzzle.

Have you ever finished a meal, only to have your mind immediately jump to what you’ll eat next? That’s what health experts call food noise: intrusive thoughts, cravings, and mental chatter about food that keep playing on repeat.

In this episode of the GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, Dr. Gulick breaks down what causes food noise, how it impacts your mindset, blood sugar, and wellbeing, and shares proven strategies to quiet the noise for good.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Balance matters. Stabilizing glucose through nutrition choices can reduce cravings and intrusive food thoughts.

• Mindset + environment. Mindful eating and reshaping food cues can help turn down the volume on food noise.

• Sustainable calm. Small, science-backed changes lead to more focus, better energy, and improved metabolic health.

👉 Want all the details? Check out the full blog post at GOOD IDEA where we dive deeper into the science and strategies: Understanding Food Noise: How It Impacts Your Mind & Strategies to Quiet It
goodidea.us/blogs/dr-elins-blog/understanding-food-noise-how-it-impacts-your-mind-and-strategies-to-quiet-it

Discover the truth about seed oils: what they are, why they’re controversial, and what scientific research actually says about them. On this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, Dr. Gulick breaks down everything you need to know about cooking staples like canola, sunflower, soybean, and grapeseed oil.

• What are seed oils? Learn how they're made from the seeds of plants like corn, safflower, and cotton, and why they're so prevalent in homes and restaurants.

• Why the controversy? Separating myth from fact: are seed oils truly inflammatory and unhealthy, or are these misconceptions fueled by hype?

• Science-based clarity: Explore what research reveals about omega-6 fats, processing methods, hexane extraction, and how moderate consumption can actually support heart health.

• Practical takeaways: Get realistic guidance on using seed oils wisely, when refining methods matter, how to balance omega-6 with omega-3-rich foods, and when choosing alternatives like olive or avocado oil makes sense.

Perfect for curious listeners who want clear, science-backed answers, not sensational headlines. Tune in to make more informed decisions in the kitchen.

Keywords:

seed oils health, are seed oils harmful, omega-6 vs omega-3, seed oil inflammation, cooking oils refined vs unrefined, are seed oils safe, seed oils benefits and risks

Want to ditch the sugar crashes and thrive instead of survive at mealtime? In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, Dr. Colleen Gulick walks you through the simple science of constructing a plate that supports steady energy, metabolic health, and performance.

You’ll discover:

• Why removing entire foods isn’t necessary for blood sugar control

• The 5 essential building blocks of a balanced, glucose-friendly meal

• Real-world meal examples you can easily recreate

• Why what you drink also plays a big role in managing post-meal glucose

• Actionable tips that make this approach both practical and sustainable

Whether you're managing weight, optimizing blood sugar, or simply seeking balance, this episode offers clear, research-backed strategies and a fresh perspective on meal design.

Tune in now to learn how small shifts at the plate level can lead to lasting benefits for your energy, focus, and long-term health.

🧠 Want to learn more?

• Read the full blog here:⁠ ⁠⁠How to Build a Blood Sugar-Friendly Plate
• Sample Blood Sugar-Friendly Meals
• The Ultimate Guide to Protein

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Ever wonder why some people bounce back from setbacks faster and seem to stay disciplined no matter what? In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, Dr. Colleen Gulick dives into the neuroscience of resilience and reveals science-backed ways to increase your willpower, persistence, and mental stamina.

She breaks down the brain mechanisms behind motivation and self-control, and shares practical strategies to help you train your mind just like your muscles. Learn how to build the mental habits that drive long-term success, both in health and in life.

🎧 Tune in to discover:

• The brain's key players in willpower and motivation

• How to turn short-term stress into long-term resilience

• Simple habits to increase consistency and mental toughness

• What research says about building grit and sticking to your goals

Whether you're chasing athletic performance, a personal goal, or better health habits, this episode offers real tools you can start using today.

🧠 Want to learn more?

• Read the full blog here:⁠ ⁠The Neuroscience of Resilience

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#Neuroscience #Willpower #Resilience #MentalPerformance #GOODIDEAAudioBlog #Biohacking #MotivationScience #BloodSugarBalance #BrainHealth #ConsistentHabits

📉 Most people track blood sugar... but what about insulin? In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, we break down why fasting insulin is one of the most powerful (yet overlooked) markers of metabolic health, before blood sugar ever becomes a problem.

You’ll learn:✅ What fasting insulin levels reveal about your health✅ The difference between blood sugar and insulin (and why both matter)✅ What your numbers should be... and what’s considered “optimal”✅ How high insulin can silently drive weight gain, fatigue, and disease risk✅ Actionable steps to lower insulin naturally and improve metabolic flexibility

HOMA-IR Calculation:HOMA-IR = (Fasting insulin µg/mL × Fasting glucose mmol/L) ÷ 22.5
A normal HOMA-IR is typically between 0.5 and 1.4. Values greater than 1.9 are considered early insulin resistance and values greater than or equal to 2.9 indicate insulin resistance.

Whether you’re optimizing for longevity, performance, or better daily energy, testing fasting insulin gives you the full picture.

✨ Listen now and take control of your metabolic health.

🔗 Read the full article: goodidea.us/blogs/dr-elins-blog/why-you-should-be-testing-your-fasting-insulin-levels

#FastingInsulin #MetabolicHealth #BloodSugarBalance #InsulinResistance #LongevityTips #FunctionalHealth #GOODIDEA #HealthOptimization #GlucoseControl #NutritionScience

In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, we uncover the powerhouse mineral you might be overlooking: Zinc. From supporting immune resilience and wound healing tooptimizing blood sugar and athletic recovery, zinc does far more than most people realize.

You’ll learn:✔ Why zinc is critical for insulin function and glucose regulation✔ How even a mild deficiency can impact immunity and performance✔ Who’s at risk for low zinc (and why it’s more common than you think)✔ Smart, science-backed tips to optimize your intake (without overdoing it)

If you're interested in stronger immunity, better energy, and sharper recovery, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Press play and power up your health with Zinc.

🧠 Want to learn more?

• Read the full blog here: ⁠The Ultimate Guid to Zinc
• ⁠"High Blood Pressure Explained" Blog⁠

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Keywords: #MetabolismExplained #BloodSugarBalance#MetabolicHealth #FunctionalWellness #GOODIDEAAudioBlog #HealthyHabits#ScienceBackedHealth #Zinc