Diet Ideas For Hypoglycemics

Often causing unwanted effects on the mind, hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar drops too low on a regular basis. The Mayo Clinic lists several specific symptoms to look for if you suspect you may be hypoglycemic. Confusion which often manifests as the inability to complete tasks is common, as is blurred or double vision. Physical symptoms which may be experienced include anxiety, hunger, sweating, shaking and heart palpitations. As hypoglycemia may occur as a result of a larger underlying health problem, it is always best to visit your doctor to confirm your overall health before starting a specific diet program to remedy it.

Size and Timing of Meals

If you have hypoglycemia, skipping meals is not an option. According to Jackson Siegelbaum Gasteroenterology specialists, monitoring the size and frequency of meals is necessary for hypoglycemia. The purpose of this is to promote a slow and even release of glucose into the bloodstream. They recommend eating 5 to 6 small, well-balanced meals spaced evenly throughout the day with an evening snack.

Recommended Foods

It is also recommended to include some insoluble fiber and protein at each of these small meals. Lean meat, nuts and seeds are good protein sources for hypoglycemia. Foods such as whole grain bread, rice, pasta, dark green vegetables and citrus fruit are all recommended. If you know you are going to be away from home, it is a good idea to bring a healthy snack along with you in case you start to feel symptoms. Good snack choices for hypoglycemia include popcorn, crackers, pretzels and cheese.

Foods to Avoid

Foods which are high in sugar and carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to spike in a short period of time, followed by a blood sugar crash which creates a vicious cycle. If you suspect you have hypoglycemia, it is best to avoid foods such as sweet cereals, donuts, pies, cookies, jelly, sugar and honey to name a few. Other foods to avoid include fatty meats, cold cuts, fried meats, sweetened fruit juice, alcohol and caffeine.

Chromium

Phyllis Balch of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," recommends hypoglycemics take chromium supplements to help stabilize blood sugar. She explains that chromium is a mineral needed by the body to synthesize fats, proteins and cholesterol into energy. Balch notes that taking supplemental chromium in the form of chromium picolinate is the best choice as it is the form most easily absorbed by the body. Chromium also exists naturally in limited amounts in foods such as beer, brown rice, cheese, meat, dairy products, corn oil and potatoes. She adds that several herbs naturally contain chromium, including catnip, horsetail, licorice, nettle, oat straw and red clover. Before taking herbs or supplemental chromium for hypoglycemic symptoms, it is always best to check with your doctor first.