blood sugar getting low while trying to maintain 1200 cals
merrell1129
Posts: 3
Since I have started cutting back calories to 1200, I have noticed on some days that my blood sugar drops to the point that I am faint and shaky. I am curious what types of low cal foods I can add to maintain a regular blood sugar level. Thanks!
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Replies
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you should eat more food and then your blood sugar won't get low0
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The food has to be a carbohydrate to raise the blood sugar. Are you a diabetic? I use glucose tablets for when my sugar is low. If not you may want to try crackers that can be counted out or pretzels. They are both low in calories also 1/2 a piece of fruit will do it.0
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Have you tried spacing out meals and snacks throughout the day?
Are you eating back exercise calories?0 -
My son has type 1 diabetes and I find that a combination of complex carbs and protein is best for maintaining a steady blood sugar. For example, a whole grain english muffin with cheese or and apple and peanut butter or nuts. Also agree about spacing small meals throughout the day so you don't get a drop.
Also, consider whether 1200 is really right for you. Search for "road map" in the forums and see what you think.0 -
Opening up your diary might help to get more specific advice.0
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Pack in the protein and fiber. I'm type 2 diabetic. My dietician told me to eat foods with higher hyperglycemic index that will carry the carbs longer throughout your day so you won't crash.0
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1200 calories is crazy low. Try eating more! You'll feel better and still lose weight.0
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Well, no wonder. You are eating too low of calories.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
^^Best thing ever.
Also, this is a thread about why eating only 1200 calories won't work
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work0 -
open your diary for review and analysis
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If you're shaking that's your body screaming. Eat more! Obviously 1200 isn't quite enough for you.0
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My son has type 1 diabetes and I find that a combination of complex carbs and protein is best for maintaining a steady blood sugar. For example, a whole grain english muffin with cheese or and apple and peanut butter or nuts. Also agree about spacing small meals throughout the day so you don't get a drop.
Also, consider whether 1200 is really right for you. Search for "road map" in the forums and see what you think.
^^^ This ^^^^0 -
i dont understand why so many shoot for that extreme 1200 number. That is jsut a recipe for failure because almost no one is going to maintain that for any length of time before getting discouraged and quitting altogether.
shoot for something more reasonable like 1400 or 15000 -
Given your diary is closed there is not enough information to discern a possible best action. My only suggestion would be to speak with your doctor0
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How about rice cakes or popcorn? Probably should try to add some protein in- raw almonds perhaps? 1,200 is my base too - though I'm about to up that to 1,300. That's before I add in my exercise though, and I eat all those back. I also don't sweat it if it go over by 100-200 calories - and I've been losing steadily.
I'm short and have a desk job, which is why my base is low... check the road map entry on the boards - my BMR was actually below 1,200 per those instructions. If yours isn't, you should probably eat more calories per day.0 -
Since I have started cutting back calories to 1200, I have noticed on some days that my blood sugar drops to the point that I am faint and shaky. I am curious what types of low cal foods I can add to maintain a regular blood sugar level. Thanks!
you're not eating enough. do a search for a thread in this forum called "in place of a road map" - that has details of how to calculate the right amount of calories for you to lose weight at a slow and steady rate, while feeding your body properly, so you don't feel deprived and don't suffer from problems like you describe. And yes it works, lots of people here lost weight that way and kept it off long term. I lost weight using the same method, and I'm currently maintaining while not feeling deprived or finding it difficult. It's very very useful information.0 -
This is one of those go ask a 5th grader what to do questions.....0
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Since I have started cutting back calories to 1200, I have noticed on some days that my blood sugar drops to the point that I am faint and shaky. I am curious what types of low cal foods I can add to maintain a regular blood sugar level. Thanks!
Your body is telling you that 1200 calories a day is too low. Eat more!0 -
Sounds like you need to eat more food, period.0
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you should eat more food and then your blood sugar won't get low
this0 -
Well, no wonder. You are eating too low of calories.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
^^Best thing ever.
Also, this is a thread about why eating only 1200 calories won't work
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work
Speak for yourself. I lost the first 30lbs eating 1200 calories and you know what? I wasnt starving, shaky, or deprived.
Most people dont know how to eat right to begin with regardless of their calorie goal.
OP--- what are you eating daily? Do you eat fruit or carbs? You just need to learn to balance your meals properly.0 -
Just grab a handful of almonds- or have some pre boiled eggs ready.0
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Since I have started cutting back calories to 1200, I have noticed on some days that my blood sugar drops to the point that I am faint and shaky. I am curious what types of low cal foods I can add to maintain a regular blood sugar level. Thanks!
Please look and see if you are eating "sugary" carbs vs. complex carbs0 -
First, unless you have a glucose meter, you really don't know if your BG is getting low.
If it's below 70 then have a carb snack. You're not type 1 diabetic, so you won't go dangerously low.
If you are getting symptoms of a low BG much above 70, then ride it out. It's because your BG has been high and the adrenaline response has been "trained" to go off at too high, and given some time, it will train back downward to the correct level.0 -
Hi
1. Best to have doc check your A1c to determine if you are diabetic?
2. IMO I think you should definitely eat more
3. Nuts and a hardboiled egg when you feel "low" is great
4. BG Meter is a great tool if you are diabetic
Good luck0 -
How did you determine that 1200 calories are what you need in a day? If you relying simply on what MyFitnessPal recommends based on your weight, that can be extremely inaccurate. Calorie needs are based on muscle and fat composition, not on total weight. If you are not eating enough calories, you will end up losing muscle, thereby lowering the number of calories you burn in a day. I highly recommend listening to some of the podcast of Fat2Fit Radio, which goes into the science behind weight loss.0
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Well, no wonder. You are eating too low of calories.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
^^Best thing ever.
Also, this is a thread about why eating only 1200 calories won't work
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work
Not sure what "working" means but many, many people, myself included, lost weight very successfully at that calorie level or lower.
When I was losing weight, I ate a balanced diet, exercised on the elliptical until I could run, and 10 weeks after I started running, I ran a half marathon and then did a 1000 miles in 24 hours motorcycle ride through the CA and AZ desert out to Tucson and back to Southern California.
My diary is public and this is a "SPOT" track of my half marathon and motorcycle ride.
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=367c4e4e87ed45c19
Oh, I did that when I was 55 years old and hadn't exercised in 25 years.
The more I learn about nutrition and, recently, the physiology of long distance running, the more I am amazed at how well the human body adapts to conditions and thrives.0 -
I have spaced my meals out today. I have basically been eating small meals instead of bigger meals with smaller snacks. I have been eating about every two hours and that has really helped. I have also NOT been eating back my calories that I burn during excercise. I hadnt even thought of it until you mentioned it.0
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Thank you to everyone who posted a helpful answer. I realize that 1200 calories may not be good for me, however, the first week or so of doing the 1200 calories I had no issues at all and was not hungry. That is what prompted me to ask the question that I did. If I am shaky than I am definitely going to eat, but I would still like to do so reasonably. I am going to increase my calories and also check out all of the helpful suggestions yall have given me.0
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The answer is not always eat more! But I agree 1200 is not any magic, if you feel weak or have blood sugar issues have healthy snacks readily available its not rocket science about the 1200.0
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I don't know if that calorie level is appropriate for you -- for some people, it is, for others it is way too low.
But if you are going to eat that little (shoot, even if you are not!), be sure you are getting enough protein and vegetables. A starchy low-calorie diet will put you on a miserable blood-sugar roller coaster.
My dietitian says not to go below 50 g of protein per day, at a minimum. And be sure to get at least five servings of vegetables, plus a couple of fruit.
Are you getting enough water? Dehydration can cause weakness and such, too.0
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