According to the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine (PCRM) hypoglycemia is a condition of low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is most commonly seen in diabetics. Reactive hypoglycemia defines a low blood sugar without diabetes, which is very rare. The National Institute of Diabetes Digestive Disorders and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends that a hypoglycemic follow a diet similar to the diabetic diet, eating a consistent amount of carbohydrate at each meal and snack, choosing high fiber foods and limiting intake of simple sugars, especially on an empty stomach. A hypoglycemic should also eat small frequent meals to help maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Breakfast
Eating breakfast proves important for the hypoglycemic at risk for low blood sugar after fasting for 8 hours. Good breakfast meals for the hypoglycemic include two slices of whole grain toast with 1 teaspoon of butter, one scrambled egg and fresh orange juice. More breakfast ideas for those with hypoglycemia include 1 cup of cooked oatmeal with 2 tbsp of raisins and 1/2 cup of milk; 1 whole wheat English muffin with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1/2 banana; 1 cup whole grain cereal with 1 cup milk and 1 cup fresh strawberries.
Mid-morning Snack
Eating every three hours will help keep blood sugar under control, says PCRM. Mid-morning snack ideas include 1 cup of light yogurt; 3 graham cracker squares with 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter; 1 small apple with 1 oz low fat cheese; 1/2 cup whole grain cereal with 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup trail mix.
Lunch
Keep lunch easy and simple. Good lunches for a hypoglycemic include a sandwich on whole wheat bread with 1 cup of fresh fruit cup; 1 cup of soup with 6 whole grain crackers and small pear; entree salad with chicken, 1/2 cup of chickpeas and 2 tbsp dried cranberries, 2 oz whole grain pretzels. Other lunch ideas include; whole wheat pita with 2 tbsp humus, carrot sticks, 1 plum; 1 cup whole wheat pasta salad made with pasta, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and Italian dressing with a 1 slice whole wheat roll.
Mid-afternoon Snack
Prepare snacks ahead of time to prevent the vending machine run. Good mid-afternoon snacks include 1 cup dry whole grain cereal; 6 whole grain crackers with 1 oz cheese; 1 small pear and a handful of almonds; 1 slice of whole wheat bread with turkey slices; 2 tbsp humus with carrots and celery.
Dinner
Dinner should be balanced and healthy. Dinner ideas for a hypoglycemic include grilled chicken, medium baked potato, steamed broccoli and a side salad; 1 cup of whole wheat pasta with meatballs and green beans; hamburger with sweet potato fries and carrots; 1 cup of beef chili with 1 whole wheat roll; baked salmon with 1 cup brown rice and tossed salad.
Evening Snack
The evening snack is important to help maintain blood sugar while sleeping. Evening snack ideas include 1/2 sandwich on whole wheat bread; 1 cup of milk; 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt with 1/2 cup fresh blueberries; 1/2 toasted whole wheat English muffin with 1 slice of low fat cheese; 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/2 cup pineapples.
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