Menus for Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar, which is common in diabetics, but can occur in non-diabetics too. Symptoms of this potentially life-threatening condition include hunger, sweating, anxiety, confusion, blurred vision, seizures and fainting. Hypoglycemia occurs after too much insulin is released into the blood and transports sugar into the cells, and your liver does not release more glucose into the blood. Eating frequent small meals can prevent your blood sugar from getting too low.

Breakfast

Start your day with a whole grain cereal. Whole grains are the best type of food for preventing low blood sugar because they are complex carbohydrates and low glycemic. Low glycemic foods contain sugars that your body absorbs slowly relative to other foods. By eating whole grains, you give your blood a steady supply of sugar that can prevent hypoglycemia. You can add your favorite fruit and low-fat cow's milk, almond milk or soy milk.

Lunch

For lunch, enjoy a cup of lentil soup and a sardine sandwich on whole grain pumpernickel bread with lettuce and tomato. Lentils contain soluble fiber, an indigestible substance that slows absorption of sugar from foods into the blood and helps you control blood sugar. Whole grain pumpernickel bread is a low glycemic food. Sardines are a cold water fatty fish with high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that can improve your blood cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, a common complication in diabetics. Vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals.

Dinner

Begin your dinner with a small salad of spinach, carrots, flaxseeds, bell peppers and olives. Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber to help you control your blood sugar. For your entree, enjoy turkey breast with baked sweet potato and steamed green beans. Turkey is a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that makes serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls your appetite so you do not get sugar cravings associated with hypoglycemia.

Snacks

Snacks between meals are especially important in helping you prevent hypoglycemia. Fruits and nuts, fruit yogurt and whole grain energy bars are healthy snack foods that can help you prevent low sugar levels until your next meal. An important part of your menu plan is to avoid eating candy, sweetened beverages, sugary foods and refined carbohydrates that are high glycemic foods which contain sugar that is rapidly absorbed into your blood and can cause spikes in blood sugar followed by hypoglycemia.