Hypoglycemic/blood sugar issues

dylangrrrrl

Hi all,
Today I was right on track calorie wise, lots of small snacks the last of which was a chobani yogurt (high protein) at 3pm. At 5:30pm picking up my kids from school, I got another extreme case of shakiness/dizziness. If I listen to my body and eat say a cheesesteak for lunch it will hold me through but when I attempt to restrict calories, even carefully spacing meals/snacks I'm often left in a situation where I'm not safe to drive my kids. I've been told I am hypoglycemic but am not diabetic. Does anyone else experience these issues? I'm thinking load up on high protein snacks at 4pm and have a lighter dinner? This is difficult since I eat whatever dinner I'm making for my family. Does anyone have any recommendations for high protein/low calorie snacks? MFP has put me at 1340 daily goal.

Thanks for reading MFP friends and good luck with your journeys!

dylangrrrrl

I forgot to mention, then I grab cheese/sugar whatever immediately when I walk in the door so I can move on and feel normal.

ericah971

Im also hypoglycemic. Talk with your doc about a meal plan that will work. Maybe eat smaller meals more frequently. Keep protien heavy snacks on you too. Best of luck!

dylangrrrrl

Thank you ericah971! Do you have any high protein/low cal snack recommendations? I'm thinking eat as much as feasible between 4pm - 5pm? Unfortunately this is well before our family dinner at 6:30-7pm.

chatnel

Try Quest bars, high protein and only 160 calories (less if you only eat half). I usually keep one in my handbag for when my blood sugar starts dropping. It is a horrible feeling.

dylangrrrrl

Thanks chatnel! I thought a chobani yogurt would do it but I guess not- I'll give those a try!

dylangrrrrl

Wow! 20g of protein for 160 calories? That's awesome! I'm guessing more protein is the fix for my issue.

dylangrrrrl

Chatnel, what's your favorite flavor?

ericah971

I like nuts and eggs. Tuna is great. I also drink lean shakes from gnc (chocolate flavor) and it is amazing! My fave snack is almond or peanut butter on a banana. Keeps you full too.

ericah971

Feel free to add me!

FatFreeFrolicking

I have chronic hypoglycemia (the non-diabetic kind). Losing weight/dieting with hypoglycemia is extremely difficult but it's not impossible. You have to be extra cautious about your food choices and meal timing.

My dietician recommends the following:

• 15-30 grams of carbs per meal
• No more than 15 grams of carbs per snack
• Eat every 3-4 hours (or sooner if need be)
• Eat protein with every meal
• Never eat carbohydrates without protein or fat
• Eat 5 servings of non-starchy veggies a day
• Limit fruit to 2 servings a day
• Never drive if your blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dL
• Don't workout unless your blood sugar is at least 100 mg/dL

RodaRose

Perhaps consider increasing your daily calorie goal for now.

chatnel

dylangrrrrl wrote: »

Chatnel, what's your favorite flavor?

Cookie dough, PB or choc chunk.

Lately have been trying to make my own, with chia, protein powder, caocao, coconut oil etc. Not as good as store bought but much cheaper and healthier.

chatnel

I try and eat low carb high protein and avoid fruits and sugars too. I also try and not eat until as late as possible in the morning as once my system is "switched on" I need to eat every 2-3 hours and hard to keep under 1400 calories.

pdxwine

I have had hypoglycemia for years. The first thing that struck me, was the yogurt. While it is high in protein, it also contains sugar, so that may have been the culprit.

I find that a handful of almonds does the trick. Good protein and easy to carry with me.

sassymanatee

You aren't alone. Your best bet is to talk to your doctor.

Azurite27

I had the same problem. I found hitting a minimum of 80g of protein daily (usually more) helps to even out my blood sugar lows. I had had this problem even when gaining weight if I didn't eat frequently but now can eat much less (a healthy maintenance amount) and don't get these hypoglycemic symptoms. I would not suggest a low sugar diet though. You may need the sugar if your blood sugar is going low without diabetes (best to get a doctor's advice on that).

dylangrrrrl

Thank you all for your advice!

ericah971: Your food diary is inspirational! I'll work on cutting down on the carbs. Unfortunately I do not like eggs or tuna and tend to overeat with nuts/peanut butter since they are so yummy. I'll look for some precooked meats and I'm trying out whole black beans for a 4pm snack today.

chatnel: I'll definitely try those Quest bars, thanks! Interesting what you said about waiting as long as possible to eat until your body has "switched on". I like eating a light breakfast first thing but will try to limit snacks until the afternoon which is when I really need it.

fatfreefrolicking: Thank you so much for including details learned from your dietician. I really appreciate the input and will work on putting these into practice and see how it goes. Meal timing is super important to me. I need to eat a late family dinner at 7pm so will try eating a high protein snack at 4pm to prevent shakes at this time. Also I'll try eating protein and carbs together instead of spacing out each snack to eat more often which is what I was doing.

Rodarose: Thank you! Good advice! I'm experimenting this week with what/when to eat to feel good and am not worrying too much about calories.

pdxwine: Good point about the yogurt! It does have sugar- I can switch to the stevia version for fewer calories also.

sassymanatee: I have talked to my doctor in the past and was on Metformin for a couple of years until I became pregnant with my 2 girls. I'd rather be prescription drug free but it did help.

Azurite27: Thank you for the info- I will definitely try to up my protein.

Pascal56

I'm not diagnosed but sometimes have problems with reactive low blood sugar. I also like to delay breakfast for awhile before the "clock starts" and I have to eat more frequently. IDK why not eating doesn't trip issues. I also find I'm much more likely to have problems if I have a meal that is high in carbs and low in protein. I am usually pretty good about avoiding them now, but today had an issue. I ate Wheaties for breakfast today at 8:30 and was shaking/clammy/starving by 11:45.

dylangrrrrl

Hi Pascal56- sounds like a similar symptom to what I see. Sometimes if I eat a large amount of only carbs the crash is extreme a couple of hours later. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

dylangrrrrl

Hi gang, I could also drink more water. I know lots of water is super good for you but do you know if it helps blood sugar issues specifically?

dylangrrrrl

I don't know how accurate this is but I found it helpful
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=805

UnicornRides

I switched to being 90% vegetarian (love my eggs and milk..) and that resolved almost all of my issues (some of which you have.) The problem is that most foods these days have artificial sugars which confuse the body. It doesn't break down like natural does.

It should also be noted: if you eat a lot of protein (sounds like you do), and it's not burned off- it can be stored as fat. Your body uses carbs and lipids before protein. If you have too much protein, and it's all crude, then it's of no real use to you at all. Make sure you know your types of protein because that could be affecting you too.

Make sure you get tested for HypOthyroidism, too. That is easily mistaken by regular doctors.

T1DCarnivoreRunner

How did metformin help you with hypoglycemia? That seems counter-intuitive since metformin is intended to reduce insulin resistance.

Do you use a glucometer? If yes, at what level do you begin to experience symptoms?

As a type 1 diabetic, I've had trouble losing weight due to treating lows after exercise. I get it... you burn off a bunch of calories and then have to eat more back than what you burned in the first place. One day, I ate over 6,000 calories just to keep my blood sugar up and that was on a low activity day. My blood sugar was as low as 20 mg/dl during that time and only barely broke 100 once before crashing down yet again. I started to freak out because if I went to sleep, I would have to stop eating and would go low and die. So I stayed up eating cookies... after 2 boxes of cookies (1 of Oreos, another of Chips Ahoy), it rose high enough that I could confidently sleep without worrying about never waking. That was before I recognized that glucose tablets are a better option.

The lowest calorie and fastest working option to raise blood sugar is glucose tablets, so using these as a go to will help reduce calories from treating lows.

corinne1977

Hi dylangrrrl, I also have chronic hypoglycemia. Its going on about 14 years now. and I run into the same problems you do. Before I first was diagnosed the doctors thought I was having seizures so I was put on seizure medicine. Anyway, since then I've learned how to manage it better. It really sucks when I can't leave the house without a good meal just so you can function for a few hours before I feel the 'drop' start. But I find that when I'm on a continual exercise regimen, my blood sugar level is more stable. I don't have as many episodes maybe because I'm also eating better along with all the exercise. The only thing I know that works for me is eating more protein, less carbs, and plenty of exercise. Well, I just wanted to say that I totally get where you are coming from. Its not an easy thing to live with.

jgnatca

I was a diabetic type 2 until I lost my weight. My blood sugars are normal now. Eating for a diabetic and a hypoglycemic is very similar. I'm a little horrified at this thread as some of the information is misguided.

I don't think water will have any effect on your blood sugars.

I think your calorie goal is a little too aggressive if you are also trying to keep even blood sugars all day.

For those mid-afternoon surprises, always have a stash with you. I have a long list of "portable proteins" I keep on hand for emergencies. I pack them in snack size ziplocs so they are easy to pop in to the lunch bag and my purse. This includes various protein bars cut in half (half a bar is usually enough), edamame seed pods, 3 cm cubes of low-fat cheddar, nuts, snack size yogurts, and 1 tbsp hummus and crackers.

With every episode, brainstorm what might be wrong and try one idea to change it up. If it works, keep doing it. If it doesn't, try something else.

At dinner, maybe re-think your portion size, even cutting it in half.

jessieandcharlotte78

Water does affect your blood sugars because you need it to metabolize your food.

T1DCarnivoreRunner

1. Water does not affect blood sugars, but blood sugars can affect hydration (not your issue obviously, as this is a problem for those experiencing hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia... except to the extent that hypoglycemia causes sweating).
2. @jgnatca I also am annoyed about some of the bad information here. Protein only partially converts to glucose, and does so over several hours. Your suggest for a protein snack is not helpful for treating an emergency low, but could help prevent hypoglycemia in the first place. If someone already has low blood sugar, protein could be dangerous (because it will slow down absorption of carbs eaten with it). Someone with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) should be eating fast acting carbohydrates aside from fiber or sugar alcohols. Dextrose is best (which is why they put this in glucose tablets).

nolabone

I have T1D, so I know it's not exactly the same cause, but I try to save 100-200 calories for low blood sugar levels. If it doesn't happen it's a nice snack, or just extra calories "saved."

aylajane

Are you chronic hypo or reactive hypo? I.e. if all your episodes are after meals, you are probably reactive. If you are low at night or in the morning or regardless of eating, then chronic (or something like that). How you eat is different for each I think. Its worth knowing..

Some things I have learned:
1) Do NOT eat sugar for a hypo episode... It is not like diabetics who have to get a quick glucose bolus... You set yourself up for a hypo roller coaster like that - it will "fix" it temporarily by spiking blood sugar, but when it goes back down it now will fall farther and faster, making it worse. You are better off eating a normal snack of protein WITH simple carbs and wait it out. No candy, orange juice etc for fixes. An apple with PB is better...

2) Never eat carbs alone (advice that worked for me at least). Always pair carbs with protein or fat. Think crackers with cheese or peanut butter, oatmeal made with a protein shake instead of milk, apples with PB, etc.

3) The common advice is to eat smaller more frequent meals, and for most people that probably helps. If that doesnt seem to help you much, it is worth trying the opposite - fewer larger meals with no snacks or grazing. The thought is that when you start to eat, your body produces enough insulin for a *full* meal. If you eat half a "full" meal, there is now too much insulin and not enough food to counteract it, so your sugar drops not long after eating (usually reactice types). So if instead you actually eat a full meal, the amount of insulin releases is proportional to your intake and your sugar wont drop after. It may or may not be true for you, but something to try.

4) Check all your food and drinks for stevia. Stevia (Rebiana and a few other forms of names) is widely promoted to diabetics because it wont spike your blood sugar like regular sugar does and other sweeteners do. But in some people, it not only does not spike it, it actually LOWERS it. That is awesome if you are diabetic, TERRIBLE if you are hypoglycemic! I started drinking a big thing of tea every day made with stevia and for a month I was seeing stars every afternoon (as I was finishing it)... Took me awhile to get the connection. I have found that as long as I mix it with carbs, it is ok for me. By without any other carbs (i.e added to tea or coffee) and it tanked my blood sugar (like down to 40 several times!). I saw quest bars mentioned above - the "naturals" line is made with stevia... I dont believe I have had trouble with those because they have lots of fiber and protein and other carbs, but its worth watching just in case until you learn what your personal tolerance is.

Some things I also learned I never connected before - nighttime hypo espides can have symptoms such as excessive sweating (during day too especially of your face), nightmares, etc. Have a small protein/carb snack just before bed if you think this is happening to you.


Hope something here helps. Good luck.

chatnel

Great information aylajane. Interesting on the eating big meals and not snacking. I think this might work for me.