24. Can't Stop Craving Sugar This Summer? 10 Food Swaps For Blood Sugar & Insulin Resistance With Michelle Sheedy

Summer is supposed to be fun—but for many people, it's also the season of cravings, weight gain, energy crashes, and promising ourselves we'll "start over in January."

If you're struggling with cravings for sugar, bread, chips, ice cream, or summer treats, you're not alone.

In this episode of Health Beyond Weight Loss, Registered Nurse and Holistic Health Coach TaShawn Davis welcomes special guest Michelle, food swap expert and health advocate, to share practical, satisfying food swaps that can help support blood sugar, insulin resistance, and long-term health—without feeling deprived.

Because healthy eating shouldn't feel like punishment.

You'll learn why cravings aren't simply about willpower, why summer can make them worse, and how simple substitutions can help you enjoy life while still making progress.

IN THIS EPISODE

✔️ Why sugar cravings often intensify during summer

✔️ How blood sugar swings contribute to cravings

✔️ The connection between insulin resistance and appetite

✔️ Why ultra-processed foods are designed to keep you eating

✔️ 10 practical food swaps that actually satisfy

✔️ How to enjoy vacations, cookouts, and parties without starting over

✔️ Why community matters more than perfection

✔️ Simple ways to build momentum before the holidays

✔️ Why healthy eating should focus on nourishment, not restriction

KEY TAKEAWAYS

✅ You don't need another diet.

✅ You don't need perfect eating.

✅ Cravings aren't a character flaw.

✅ Blood sugar stability often improves satisfaction.

✅ One better choice repeated consistently can change your health.

✅ Summer can become the season you build momentum instead of losing progress.

FEATURED RESEARCH Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Calorie Intake and Weight Gain

Hall KD, et al. (2019)

Participants consuming ultra-processed foods ate approximately 500 more calories daily and gained weight compared with those eating minimally processed foods.

Cell Metabolism

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31105044/

Ultra-Processed Foods and Chronic Disease Risk

Lane MM, et al. (2024)

A large umbrella review found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and all-cause mortality.

The BMJ

https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-077310

Protein Promotes Satiety and Appetite Regulation

Leidy HJ, et al. (2015)

Higher protein intake improves fullness and may reduce cravings and overeating.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25926512/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ☀️ Summer Energy & Cravings Reset

Join me LIVE on June 22nd from 7:00–9:30 PM EST for a practical workshop on:

• Sugar cravings

• Energy crashes

• Blood sugar balance

• Insulin resistance

• Summer success strategies

💻 Live on Zoom

💲 Only $17

Register here:

https://summerreset.writethevision22.com/join

🎁 FREE 3-Day Sugar Reset Guide

https://bit.ly/Healthbeyondweightlosssugarreset

📘 Sugar Deception

How Carbs Quietly Damage Your Brain, Body & Hormones

https://a.co/d/00gYUkHd

📗 Uproot The Cravings

21-Day Sugar Detox Devotional & Journal

https://a.co/d/032qzChc

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Health Beyond Weight Loss: Metabolic Health & Insulin Resistance

https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthbeyondweightloss

FOLLOW TASHAWN DAVIS, RN

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TaShawnDavisRNHealthCoach

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tashawndavisrnhealthcoach

Website:

https://www.writethevision22.com

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Health Beyond Weight Loss helps people understand insulin resistance, blood sugar, brain fog, fatigue, cravings, hormones, natural remedies, keto, metabolic health, and the hidden connections behind common symptoms.

Hosted by TaShawn Davis, RN, each episode combines evidence-based education, practical strategies, real-life experience, and faith-filled encouragement to help listeners uncover root causes and make informed health decisions.

🌎 Heard in 56 countries

🌍 Across 6 continents

🏆 Top 5% globally ranked

📈 Top 153 Health Podcasts in the United States

🥇 #1 Nutrition Podcast Ranking in the Philippines

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to medications, diet, supplements, or lifestyle.

Your health. Your family. Your future. We're in this together.