Low blood sugar, also referred to as hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood glucose levels fall below the normal level of 70 milligrams per deciliter. According to MedlinePlus, symptoms include hunger, shakiness, dizziness, confusion and weakness, with severe cases potentially leading to seizures, coma or death. Hypoglycemia may occur in diabetes patients as a side effect of diabetes medication or taking too much insulin but may also occur in non-diabetics who have liver disease, some forms of tumors or reactive hypoglycemia, which occurs within four hours after meals, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. When a hypoglycemic episode occurs, several foods can help blood glucose levels return to normal levels as quickly as possible, as well as foods that can help prevent future hypoglycemic episodes.
Pure Glucose or Fructose
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, consuming three or four glucose tablets, one serving of glucose gel, 1/2 cup regular soft drink, five or six pieces of hard candy, or 1 tbsp. sugar or honey -- each equal to about 15g carbohydrate -- can help elevate blood glucose levels. According to Diabetes Action, 15g carbohydrate can increase blood glucose levels about 50mg/dL, depending on the person's metabolism, so smaller people or younger children may require smaller doses so as not to raise blood sugar too high when treating hypoglycemia.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Normally, sugar-sweetened beverages would be discouraged for health. However, because such beverages contain simple carbohydrates, the glucose contained in such foods can be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly and help raise blood glucose levels to treat hypoglycemia. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse suggests drinking 1/2 cup regular soft drink, 1/2 cup of any fruit juice, each worth about 15g carbohydrate, to help raise blood glucose levels quickly. Smaller doses may be recommended for children.
Complex Carbohydrates: Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Grains
In order to prevent hypoglycemic episodes, Michigan State University's Olin Health Center suggests eating smaller meals of primarily complex carbohydrates -- fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains -- every two to three hours in order to slow the absorption of food through the intestines. Complex carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, pasta, rice and legumes -- especially high-fiber whole-wheat, bran and brown rice-containing foods -- are absorbed more slowly than simple carbohydrates such as candy, jams, honey and soda. Therefore, they don't cause rapid increases in blood sugar levels. In addition, fruits and vegetables also contain healthy amounts of fiber that can slow absorption of sugar into the bloodstream in comparison to canned or juiced forms, which may contain added starch and sugar. The Olin Health Center also recommends that people at risk for low blood sugar avoid foods containing caffeine or alcohol, because caffeine often produces similar symptoms to hypoglycemia and alcohol lowers blood sugar. Finally, it's recommended to decrease fat intake, because a high-fat diet has been shown to interfere with insulin use in the body.
References
- MedlinePlus: Hypoglycemia
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Hypoglycemia
- Mayo Clinic: Hypoglycemia
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Hypoglycemia
- Olin Health Center: Michigan State University: Hypoglycemia
- Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation: Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive
