Questioni just got diagnosed with being hypoglycemic so i dont know much about it and what to eat.
if i eat to much sugar what should i eat after that? and what types of snacks should i be carrying around with me?
AnswerHypoglycemia is when blood glucose levels drop too low. Usually hypoglycemia occurs when diabetics take medication to increase insulin levels in their blood then do not eat enough. However, people without diabetes can be prone to hypoglycemia due to abnormalities with the adrenal or pituitary glands or temporarily due to alchohol, illness, or some prescription medications. Desired numbers for blood glucose are 70-110. Health problems can occur above or below those numbers...chronic health problems if blood glucose levels are not regulated. Symptoms you may experience with low blood glucose include blurred or double vision, confusion, lack of concentration, dizziness, headaches, hunger, and shakiness. (Some people report feeling "drunk" when their blood glucose levels get too low.)
Your medical team will most likely try to discover the cause of your hypoglycemia in order to try to treat the cause. In the meantime, you will need to keep your blood glucose levels pretty level. In order to keep blood glucose levels even throughout the day, you should try not to go more than a couple hours without eating something. Many people find a "diabetic diet" (consistant carbohydrates, which is planning how many grams of carbohydrates to eat at each meal and snack and sticking to it every day) with three meals and three snacks or six small meals works great for controlling their hypoglycemia. The best snacks include both a carbohydrate and a protein. Eating too much simple carbohydrate (such as refined sugar) by itself can cause a surge in insulin, which may lower blood glucose levels too much. You will want to try to have some sort of protein and a healthy fat when eating simple sugar to help slow the absorption of the sugar. Better yet, choose complex carbohydrates, which naturally are absorbed slower due to their fiber content. Good snacks would include a serving of trail mix with both dried fruit and nuts, a half of a turkey sandwich (one piece of whole grain bread or half of a wrap or pita with 1 or 2 ounces of low-fat turkey), an apple with a piece of low-fat string cheese, celery sticks or 12 baby carrots with 2 Tablespoons peanut butter, half of a whole grain bagel with 1 Tablespoon cream cheese, a handful of grapes with a piece of beef jerky, or a serving of whole grain cereal with 1 cup of reduced-fat milk. Choosing healthy snacks in proper portion sizes will also help keep snacks affordable and keep you from gaining weight. If your blood glucose levels have already dropped and you need to raise them immediately, fruit juice or a piece of candy is best, but be sure to eat something shortly thereafter.
If you are interested in creating an individualized diet plan taking into consideration both how many calories and how many grams of carbohydrates you need, I would recommend asking your doctor to refer you to a dietitian in your area. I would also recommend purchasing a portable blood glucose monitor if you do not already have one. Look into your insurance plan and see if it is covered; if not, coupons are often offered by companies for free monitors and you should also be able to find coupons for the strips.
Good luck with controlling your blood glucose levels! If you were just diagnosed it may seem overwhelming but once you get used to your body's needs then what you eat and when should become second nature.
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