Diabetics!!! What do you Eat when sugars are Low??

As a Type 1 for 38 years and being in "too" good of control according to my doctor, I've become as expert on low blood sugars as you can be without actually going to medical school. I've been put on an insulin pump to try to stop my lows and it's helped! Obviously, what works for me doesn't work for everyone else but here's what I've been told for 38 years by some outstanding endos:

Do NOT eat fats when you are treating a low. Fat slows down the absorption of the carbs you need to get the blood sugar to a safe level. So, no Snickers bars etc. Fruit, while not loaded in fat, can also be absorbed too slowly. It works for a lot of people but not for the majority of diabetics according to the studies my endo has participated in.

Eat or drink something that is fast acting (again, with no fat). The best is glucose tablets or drinks/gels. Next would be milk (high in lactose which is sugar) or juice. Be sure you begin with about 15 grams of carbs (the rule of 15). But as someone said earlier in this post, it sometimes takes 20 or 30 minutes for blood sugar to rise. Don't over do the carbs and have a huge rebound (been there, done that. . . went from a 32 to a 348).

If you don't like glucose tabs or dinks/gels (I fight not to eat those when I'm so low that I need help), try something you'll "like" or think of as a treat. I use Juicy Juice fun size boxes which are only 60 calories and 15 to 18 carbs (depending on the flavor). Perfect! Or as a lot of people have said, Smarties. Three "normal" sized rolls are 18 carbs and around 75 calories (no fat). Decent choices for those of us that are trying to lose weight and be healthy. Icing works for a lot of people but is hard to measure. Glucose tabs/gels/drinks, juice boxes, smarties etc. are pre-measured or easy to count out. Also, not high in calories or fat. Obviously, bringing your blood sugar up is most important! If you need to, use what ever is available and don't worry about calories, fat etc. A coma due to lows is not worth skipping that candy bar that is the only thing available!

Once your blood sugars return to normal, most endos suggest some sort of fat and protien to stableize. One serving of crackers and peanut butter works well for that.

I too follow the 15 g every 15 min as needed rule.. I've been type 1 half my life, so I know and understand how hard it is not to EAT everything in site! my husband still freaks out and like to stuff me full of food until i'm acting better. ( he's impatient)

But i keep glucose tabs EVERYWHERE my purse, my desk at work, the kitchen by the bed, one in my car and one in my hubby's car..

If i dont have them, then juice or milk. peanut butter is a good one to help keep it up so you don't plument back down, b/c sometimes it will raise and if you only had simple sugars, it won't stay up it will drop again.

orange juice even milk will do the trick. But if im not where i can get a drink i go for a candy bar!

i take glucose tablets and then some fruit or cheerios if it's still low. i LOATHE low blood sugars and i absolutely can not wait to be off of my meds.

I always keep jellybeans around. They are all sugar and have no fat so they're absorbed quickly without needing too many. I also like them because they don't go bad and don't need refrigeration, so even if I don't need them for a while I know they'll still be good next time I do.

My dad's diabetic and he keeps hard candies nearby. I had gestational diabetes with my first kid and had episodes. I learned to keep some fruit and candy with me.

How odd that your posting this today.

This morning I had my lowest bs ever 33. I drank 2 10oz bottles of apple juice and a serving of Rolo's. The hardest part is waiting for the sugar to kick in. I was sweating worse than any gym workout.

I keep the little 10-12 ounce bottles of juice in the pantry. Anything from >50 works with just one bottle. I knew 2 would be enough.

Walmart sells a keychain that holds 4 gluco-tabs. As much as the g-tabs suck its handy to have on my keys b/c I don't carry a purse. I have got my $2 worth from it. I have used it about 4 times in the year I've had it. If I'm semi-low or feel it coming I just eat 2 and I'm good to go.

I always have a juice bottle in my gym bag. I haven't had to use it yet and hope not too.

I thought I was the only one...I am truly not a nice person when my sugar is low. That is actually one of the signs my fiance uses as a radar for low sugars. It's hilarious, but most times he's right.

(I get irritated when my sugar is low)

I didn't read every single reply so I apologize if someone else has already explained this.

There is the "Rule of 15" which is:

- Eat/drink 15gm of rapid-acting carbohydrate (fat-free)
- Recheck your blood sugar 15mins after eating/drinking it
- Blood sugar should have gone up by at least 15 points. If not, repeat the treatment.

You want something fat-free (i.e., not chocolate or ice cream) because fat slows down carbohydrate absorption. If you treat hypoglycemia with a high-fat food like ice ceram/chocolate, you will not feel better in 15mins, which leads to continuously eating and then HIGH blood sugar.

The small juice boxes they sell for kids (4.23oz) are perfect for treating low, and they travel well. Other options could be grapes, 4 glucose tablets, etc.

Good luck!

bread

My mom is a type 2 diabetic and has cancer. The chemo causes her to wake up with hers at 50 a lot of times. She always uses a banana or grapes. She has the glucose tablets in her purse and saves those in case she needs them away from the house.

My biggest question is do those low sugar calories go against your total. i am type 1 for 26 years and in fairly good control though
menopause can play hell with sugars. i use the small can of sprite to treat lows followed by protein of peanut butter, cheese
or what ever is closest sometimes. Wait and test again in 15mins. I am new to fitness pal and hope to find answers and
support. My husband has done great lost 45 lbs and post everyday. i am looking for bettr control and weight loss.
any suggestions