Hypoglycemia Experience and Questions

kpark0818

Hey there!

I was diagnosed with Hypoglycemia this summer, and the dietician suggested I increase carbs at every meal. For an idea:
60g Breakfast
15g Snack
45g Lunch
15g Snack
45g Dinner

Unfortunately, that diet did not help my blood sugar at all. In fact, I felt like I was shaky and lightheaded even more. So, I started going back to what I used to do, but paying attention to having a carb in the AM, when I seem to get the most shaky.

I discovered also in the 3 months of eating how the dietician suggested I gained like 7 pounds. 7. While training for a HM and lifting 3x a week. I'm sure it was water weight and/or inflammation. But its very frustrating. Anyone else struggle with a hypoglycemia diet? Is my experience something anyone else has experienced?

I'm working to lose the weight I gained (such great timing during the holidays...) by cutting out dairy (again), minimizing carbs, and minimizing alcohol. I'm still running a bit, but taking a mileage break during the holidays before hitting marathon training in January.

FL_Hiker

I wonder why they told you to increase carbs? That would send me crashing and shaky too. I’m hypoglycemic and was told to increase my protein, it helped tremendously. Also training for a marathon here 😊, make sure you bring some fuel on your runs.

tcunbeliever

LCHF worked well controlling mine. I can even go the whole day without eating sometimes and not get all shaky and light headed which is nice. Not that I plan to skip meals, but some days it happens.

kpark0818

FL_Hiker wrote: »

I wonder why they told you to increase carbs? That would send me crashing and shaky too. I’m hypoglycemic and was told to increase my protein, it helped tremendously. Also training for a marathon here 😊, make sure you bring some fuel on your runs.

I'm not sure. That's what the dietician told me. It actually made things worse! But, I followed her advice then felt like crap and gained weight. I'll focus on more protein (kind of what I was doing before) and even high fat. I do know that I am happiest with like a egg or two + whole grain toast + avocado for breakfast. If I eat something like that I never get that terrible shaky feeling.

Thanks for your insight!

TavistockToad

I gained when training for my first couple of half marathons, the runger is real!

nvmomketo

I'm another who treated reactive hypoglycaemia with LCHF, I actually went Keto. Once my body was relying on fats and ketones for fuel, all hypoglycaemia symptoms stopped. It took about a week.

FL_Hiker

kpark0818 wrote: »

FL_Hiker wrote: »

I wonder why they told you to increase carbs? That would send me crashing and shaky too. I’m hypoglycemic and was told to increase my protein, it helped tremendously. Also training for a marathon here 😊, make sure you bring some fuel on your runs.

I'm not sure. That's what the dietician told me. It actually made things worse! But, I followed her advice then felt like crap and gained weight. I'll focus on more protein (kind of what I was doing before) and even high fat. I do know that I am happiest with like a egg or two + whole grain toast + avocado for breakfast. If I eat something like that I never get that terrible shaky feeling.

Thanks for your insight!

You may want to look for a different dietician lol. I have it pretty severe but I've managed the symptoms without going keto or doing any weird fad diets. Just log here on my fitness pal and watch your protein intake, for me if I meet the minimum requirements each day I don't get the symptoms, usually thats around 100 grams of protein a day. I still eat all the foods I love in moderation (including delicious carbs! ). Your breakfast sounds great. Good luck in your training!

maureenkhilde

What you show as the increased carb level suggested by your dietician really is not a high carb diet. 180 is still way less than the average (American). Are you a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic? Or in the much rarer group not a diabetic but still a confirmed hypoglycemic Just wondering as more often than not, Hypoglycemia is often associated with crashing blood sugars after heavy exercise. Which can impact blood sugars for up to 48 hours after a heavy workout. Also the thing with drinks is all over the place, based on are you drinking wine, beer or a mixed drink. The more sugar in it. Bigger impact, and it can impact two people same sex, same size very differently.


I get from time to time, I am a type 2 diabetic. Also doing low carb, not KETO. Stay about 50 per day grams of carbs per day. Which overall for me, I have noticed blood sugars are very steady now, and less wild swings up or way down. My fats are about the same, my Protein is my high one at 85.

TayaCurragh

I have reactive hypoglycemia (not diabetic) and i have found slowly reducing my carbs has helped a lot. The best change i made was changing breakfast from wholegraim cereals such as shredded wheat or porridge to having greak yoghurt with a sprinkle of granola. I was so nervous to change to this from a high carb breakfast but it really has worked wonders. Ive also swapped lunches from brown bread sandwiches to salads, soups, chili etc. Before i would get a bad episode after having just soup for lunch but with it not spiking in the morning after breakfast it really helped.

I would recommend doing your own research and also trying different things to see what's best for you. It took me 5 years to get diagnosed, once i finally was i met with a nutritionist, she said i was doing everything right but i was still getting it so bad almost every afternoon. Unfortunately it is a lot of trial and error to see what works for you.

I have an open diary so feel free to have a snoop.