Anyone else get the shakes?

guntherma
guntherma Posts: 115 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have always had issue with getting weak, hot flashes, and shaky if I don't snack - yes, I tryed eating better meals that should have kept my levels even but I can't seem to make it happen on just meals - I need to snack (dentist says I am full of crap) but my sister tends to have the same issue. Not diabetic but possibly hypoglycemic. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone else has this issue and how you work a low calorie count while not ending up a blob in a chair wishing you had the strength to get to the cupboard for a spoonful of peanut butter.

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    You're probably not eating enough. Eat more.
  • rowlandk
    rowlandk Posts: 146 Member
    Yes, I do get this way too when I haven't eaten for a while. I have actually found that a can of tuna in water will help me out a great deal. If I can't get any food at the moment, even a juice with a few calories in it will help. Water doesn't usually do much. I think it's just your body telling you it needs fuel. My head gets all full of pressure and I can't think straight and my hands start shaking. I even get nauseous and vomit if I wait too long to eat. Just when you do eat something, make sure it's something that will fuel you, and not empty calories.
  • tinkerbella01
    tinkerbella01 Posts: 38
    I have hypoglycemia, and used to get the shakes regularly due to my sugar being too low. I always keep some hard candies (tic tacs, jolly ranchers) in my purse. In addition, when I feel them start or start to feel light headed I try to grab a fruit to keep me going until I can get to something more filling. I keep the fruit at my desk at work, so there is always something in reach. Juice is another good option, it will boost your suger up until you can get to something else.
  • ukaryote
    ukaryote Posts: 850 Member
    Hypoglycemic sounds right and it could be only temporary. I get the shakes in mid-morning if I have not had carbohydrates for breakfast. A slice of bread usually settles out the shakes. YMMV
  • 1Set1Rep
    1Set1Rep Posts: 2
    That's definitely not good. Some vegetables or protein might subside this without spiking blood sugar back up and repeating the cycle. Try to be aware of when this happens & what causes it and you can find your own answers.

    It might be too low of calories OR you might be having too much caffeine
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I did, but I lost a lot, and I eat 6 times a day. All meals are a mix of protein and carbs, good carbs. you can friend me and look at my log if you like.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Yep. I felt this exact way when I used to severely restrict my calories. Once I started eating more and eating more often (I eat every 2-3 hours.. it keeps my blood sugars level which helps me a) feel better and b) avoid binging) I stopped feeling that way.

    Try eating something every couple hours. There's nothing wrong with snacking - as long as you aren't blowing your calories by consuming crap. Account for the stuff in your daily calories and you'll be fine.
  • ethompso0105
    ethompso0105 Posts: 418 Member
    I've started keeping apples in my car (it sounds stupid, but it's a lifesaver). I keep things like fruit, nuts and granola bars in my desk at work, too. My doctor thinks I'm nuts for having to snack throughout the day, but if I don't, I'm like you...shaky, hot flashes and even headaches. I just make sure that I plan on these things throughout the day--It's more like I have 5-6 small meals during the day. :)
  • leynak
    leynak Posts: 963 Member
    I get headaches, dizziness, & shakes when I haven't had enough to eat. Especially if I have skipped a meal. In extreme cases I have even had my vision go black (& passed out for a second once).

    You have to make sure you are eating enough & snacks aren't bad. I have a place for snacks after every meal in my diary. Just make sure to choose healthy stuff.
  • hamiltonba
    hamiltonba Posts: 474 Member
    Yes, I have that issue as well. Frequent snacks such as 4oz yogurt, 1 portion of almonds, apple, etc. help to do the trick.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    I've been hypoglycemic and it does sound like that's what you have going on. What helped me was 5-6 small meals per day with no big meals. Restricting my carb intake. Always having a protein with any carb. Be somewhat active shortly after a meal like a short walk, a bit of housework, even just cleaning up the kitchen after the meal, whatever as movement helps burn up the glucose rise from eating so your pancreas doesn't need to dump quite as much insulin in the system which can, later, cause the glucose drop which causes those hypoglycemic symptoms.
  • Black_Swan
    Black_Swan Posts: 770 Member
    Yes I get like this when I am really hungry and I have not eaten for more than 4-5h. Bananas are my quick and healthy and CLEAN solution to this (usually happens in the middle of the city, when I am running around).
  • chubbychristianchick
    chubbychristianchick Posts: 217 Member
    I usually eat mini meals... I have issues with my sugar dropping if I go along time between meals... then I get shakey and a little crazy! I usually eat really good and have two-three snacks... just make sure you take these in to account when tracking your food and meal planning... also I always keep some emergency hard tack candies in my purse!
  • TMcBooty
    TMcBooty Posts: 780 Member
    I don't shake but I get dizzy light headed cold very tired and stomach cramps.
  • fitzie63
    fitzie63 Posts: 508 Member
    Raise your protein levels at meal times. Your glucose (sugar) levels have probably dropped below what your system can deal with. You need to make an appointment with your primary physician (make certain you print off a copy of your daily food diary and exercise diary for at least 7 days to take with you). Make written notes on those diaries about your symptoms and times of day they occurred.

    Ask your physician about the possibility of ordering a special blood test called an: A-1-C
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    When you plan out your meals, aim for foods that are "Low Glycemic" - basically these foods take longer to digest therefore sustaining your hunger until you are truly hungry.

    Perhaps a combination of better meal planning and targeting low GI foods is a good start for you.
  • cbirdso
    cbirdso Posts: 465 Member
    I've been hypoglycemic and it does sound like that's what you have going on. What helped me was 5-6 small meals per day with no big meals. Restricting my carb intake. Always having a protein with any carb. Be somewhat active shortly after a meal like a short walk, a bit of housework, even just cleaning up the kitchen after the meal, whatever as movement helps burn up the glucose rise from eating so your pancreas doesn't need to dump quite as much insulin in the system which can, later, cause the glucose drop which causes those hypoglycemic symptoms.

    This is me, too. I also make sure I have a healthy fat with my protein and carb. But the key for me is NO BIG meals. I used to think if I ate enough at one sitting, I would not get the symptoms you describe. But I found the opposite to be true. I have to eat less and eat more often. The actual calorie count is the same or perhaps even less in total. The other step is the mild exercise throughout the day. This was hard for me to get used to but it seems to keep blood sugar steadier.
  • dlyeates
    dlyeates Posts: 875 Member
    I get very lightheaded and irritable when I don't eat. What I like to do is pre-plan my meals for the day......and log them. Add the snacks in there too. That way you know how many calories you are eating and you take into account the snacks. If I know I'm going to exercise and about how many calories I will burn I add that in too so I'm eating my exercise calories during the day and not saving them up until the evening. Plus I don't have to worry about what to eat because I already know.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    I have this problem, and it's a big part of how I got overweight in the first place. MFP has helped me better track my eating to identify triggers and solutions. I now know I can't eat pizza for lunch. I need protein and fiber for breakfast and lunch. A piece of fruit a few hours after each meal. If I don't eat a handful of nuts at 4:30 before my bike ride home at 5, I will have an episode. More than half of my daily calories are snacks, but I keep my totals down and have lost weight AND reduced episodes.
  • Jewel0124
    Jewel0124 Posts: 119 Member
    A few years ago, I met with a nutritionist who taught me how to balance my meals better so that I don't get so shaky during the day. I definitely get that way if I eat too little or not at all. I sometimes drink a glucerna shake to offset a really light meal or I'll drink OJ or have hard candy to help bring it back up. Talk to your doctor, they may have better suggestions.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    A few years ago, I met with a nutritionist who taught me how to balance my meals better so that I don't get so shaky during the day. I definitely get that way if I eat too little or not at all. I sometimes drink a glucerna shake to offset a really light meal or I'll drink OJ or have hard candy to help bring it back up. Talk to your doctor, they may have better suggestions.

    If OJ or a hard candy is working for you, that's great. Those don't work for me at all. They raise my blood sugar too quickly which results in an insulin spike, which then results in another hypoglycemic episode. I find that a little bit of protein works a lot better for me. It doesn't raise my blood sugar as quickly so it might take a few more minutes for the symptoms to go away, but it doesn't result in repeated episodes. YMMV.
  • ivyjbres
    ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
    A few years ago, I met with a nutritionist who taught me how to balance my meals better so that I don't get so shaky during the day. I definitely get that way if I eat too little or not at all. I sometimes drink a glucerna shake to offset a really light meal or I'll drink OJ or have hard candy to help bring it back up. Talk to your doctor, they may have better suggestions.

    If OJ or a hard candy is working for you, that's great. Those don't work for me at all. They raise my blood sugar too quickly which results in an insulin spike, which then results in another hypoglycemic episode. I find that a little bit of protein works a lot better for me. It doesn't raise my blood sugar as quickly so it might take a few more minutes for the symptoms to go away, but it doesn't result in repeated episodes. YMMV.

    No offense, but you sound straight up diabetic, not hypoglycemic. In my particular case,I never, no matter how much sugar I eat, have high enough blood sugar to release that much insulin and crash my blood sugar. For me, I can have my blood sugar crash within 15 minutes of eating if the fat content is too high (but again, never an issue with high blood sugar).
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    If me and my mom don't eat for a few hours we get shakey and feel nauseated. When I started eating more often this stopped. I have a small breakfast, lunch, a snack, dinner, then a snack later. I always keep something with me in case I'm out so I don't stop for fast food. I also am less likely to over eat this way
    Try eating snacks between your meals. I like to carry around a luna bar, or some sunflower seeds or something.
  • margo36
    margo36 Posts: 222 Member
    I get this if I eat alot of processed sugar. Since I have removed processed sugar from my diet I don't have this problem.
  • judkinsjenny
    judkinsjenny Posts: 220
    I am hypoglycemic. it sucks. i eat small frequent meals. tey to keep cars low and i use fruit to get my sugar up with peanut butter or nutella to help keep it up there. your not full of crap! that stupid. i get sweaty, shaky and grumpy. eat more often. and make sure you have natural sugar w some protein to make it last.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    A few years ago, I met with a nutritionist who taught me how to balance my meals better so that I don't get so shaky during the day. I definitely get that way if I eat too little or not at all. I sometimes drink a glucerna shake to offset a really light meal or I'll drink OJ or have hard candy to help bring it back up. Talk to your doctor, they may have better suggestions.

    If OJ or a hard candy is working for you, that's great. Those don't work for me at all. They raise my blood sugar too quickly which results in an insulin spike, which then results in another hypoglycemic episode. I find that a little bit of protein works a lot better for me. It doesn't raise my blood sugar as quickly so it might take a few more minutes for the symptoms to go away, but it doesn't result in repeated episodes. YMMV.

    No offense, but you sound straight up diabetic, not hypoglycemic. In my particular case,I never, no matter how much sugar I eat, have high enough blood sugar to release that much insulin and crash my blood sugar. For me, I can have my blood sugar crash within 15 minutes of eating if the fat content is too high (but again, never an issue with high blood sugar).

    No offense taken. It's odd how fat does that to you as fat has the least effect on blood sugar levels and insulin production. I've never heard of that. Did a brief web search to find out about that and didn't see anything, but didn't look too hard either so I could have very well missed something.
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    YES!!!!! I used to have this problem A LOT! Now that I think on it now that I eat more protein I don't have this issue. I do snack though and typically try and stay around 100-150 calories for each snack and then 300 for my meals to keep me around 1200 per day. I also try and make sure I eat protein before a hard workout. I always get a better workout in and then don't feel like I'm going to fall over. I suggest you see your Dr. and have a full blood workup done to make sure you are not anemic or anything else that might cause this to happen. Tell him/her what happens and under what circumstances. He/She should be able to help you out.

    Good Luck!
  • JaredBergeron
    JaredBergeron Posts: 379 Member
    Yep, I can relate... I go hypo and have completely passed out at the gym a few times (I go full out at the gym)...here are some tips

    * Test your sugar (you can get meters for free and a thing of strips will last you a while if just testing once a day), dont hit the gym if your under 90.
    * Keep a can or box of OJ in your bag...this will get you back up before you hit the floor
    *Glucose tabs are a good bag add as well but not as fast as OJ
    *Eat a slow carb an hour before the workout... It will give you fuel to give it 100% (brown rice, oats are good)
    *AVOID pre-workout sups with sugar... MANY of them are loaded with it. USPLabs makes quality products that have worked well for me (T2 diabetic with hypo issues)

    Oh if you get near or have passed out at the gym, get a medic alert bracelet and let your gym know.. those clowns were firing up the defibrillator when I came out of it and told them i just needed sugar..
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