Data-Driven, Heart-Led: My Mission to Protect What Matters Most

I wrote this article for someone I care for deeply. Someone in my family who’s been struggling with constant hunger and has prediabetes. Watching them navigate this challenge has opened my eyes to how misunderstood and emotionally draining these symptoms can be. I wanted to share what I’ve learned, not just with them, but with you, and with anyone who cares about their health or the health of someone they love.

But there’s another reason I’m writing this.

As many of you know, I go by the moniker HealthyDataGuy, a name that reflects my belief that data, when paired with compassion and curiosity, can transform lives. I love health and technology because they’re always evolving, always teaching us something new. And I believe that before I can take care of anything else like my family, my friends, my networking partners, my customers, my prospects, or the work I love, I must first be the healthiest version of myself.

Because this isn’t just about living longer. It’s about living better.

🌱 Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why It Matters

We often hear about “lifespan”, the number of years we live. But what about “healthspan”? That’s the number of years we live in good health, with energy, clarity, and joy. Healthspan is what truly matters. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving.

Imagine being able to play with your grandchildren, travel without pain, or simply wake up feeling good in your body. That’s healthspan. And that’s what I want for my family and for you.

🤔 Why Am I Always Hungry? A Simple Explanation

If you or someone you love is constantly hungry, even after eating, it might be more than just a big appetite. It could be a sign of blood sugar imbalance, especially if prediabetes is already part of the picture.

Let’s break it down in simple terms:

🚗 Your Body Runs on Sugar (Glucose)

• Sugar from food is like fuel for your body, just like gas for a car.

• After eating, sugar enters your bloodstream.

• To use that sugar for energy, your body needs a hormone called insulin.

⚠️ In Prediabetes: Something’s Off

• Your body still makes insulin, but it doesn’t work well. This is called insulin resistance.

• Sugar stays in the blood instead of going into your cells (where it’s needed).

• Your cells feel like they’re starving even though your blood is full of sugar.

• So your brain gets the signal: “We’re still hungry!” even if you just ate.

🔁 The Hunger Cycle

• You eat more, especially carbs, trying to satisfy that hunger.

• But your body still can’t use the sugar properly.

• The cycle continues and it’s exhausting.
  

💡 What You Can Do: Simple Steps to Break the Cycle

Here are practical, doable ways to help manage hunger and improve blood sugar, starting today.

✅ 1. Balance Your Meals (Protein + Fiber + Healthy Fat)

This combo keeps you full longer and slows down sugar spikes.

• Protein: eggs, chicken, tofu, Greek yogurt, beans

• Fiber: veggies, berries, oats (I prefer steel-cut oats), lentils

• Healthy fats: avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil

💬 Example meal: Grilled chicken, roasted veggies, quinoa, avocado slices with optional roasted sunflower seeds on top

✅ 2. Cut Back on Sugary Foods & Simple Carbs

These cause quick sugar spikes and crashes that trigger more hunger.

• Avoid: white bread, soda, candy

• Choose: whole grains, sweet potatoes, fruit in moderation

✅ 3. Drink Water First

Sometimes hunger is really thirst. Try a glass of water before eating.

✅ 4. Get Moving

Even light activity helps your body use insulin better.

• Start with 10–15 minutes of walking after meals

✅ 5. Prioritize Sleep & Reduce Stress

Poor sleep and high stress raise hunger hormones and make blood sugar harder to manage.

• Aim for 6 to 8 hours of sleep

• Try deep breathing, stretching, or a walk in nature

🩺 Bonus Tip: Work with a Health Practitioner. FYI, I’m happy to connect you as I’m proud to know many compassionate, relationship-focused practitioners across a range of modalities. Just ask. I’m here to help. 💙

They can help monitor your blood sugar and create a personalized plan that works for you.

💖 A Message from Me to You

If you’re reading this, I want you to know: this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about choosing to care for yourself and for those you love. Whether you’re the one struggling with hunger or you’re supporting someone who is, your actions matter.

You deserve a life full of vitality, joy, and connection. You deserve a long healthspan not just a long lifespan.

So let’s take that first step together. Let’s choose nourishment over numbness, movement over stagnation, and love over fear. Because health isn’t just about numbers, it’s about living fully, for as many healthy years as we can.

With care, curiosity, and commitment,
Brandon, CRM Consultant aka The HealthyDataGuy