Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin, or use insulin well enough, to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells. Diabetes treatments include medication and changes to diet and lifestyle. One of the methods diabetics use to control blood glucose levels is meal planning, which includes scheduling meals and snacks throughout the day to meet nutritional needs without adversely affecting blood glucose levels. Eating at night is appropriate for diabetics, with restrictions, although loss of control over nighttime eating habits may require medical attention.
Adjusting to Changes
Diabetics who take insulin or other medications need to stick to well defined meal plans to avoid high or low blood sugar.Events may arise that require adjustments to your meal plan. You might not be able to eat one or more meals at the scheduled time. If you will eat dinner much later than usual, eating a serving of a starch or fruit from your dinner can hold you until you are able to complete your meal. Another option is to eat your bedtime snack at dinner time and have your dinner later. Adjusting your meals to accommodate nighttime eating without adding or decreasing your food helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Adjustments to your eating schedule might require medication adjustments too.
Late Night Snacking
Occasional late night snacking is okay if you make healthy choices to avoid weight gain and increases in blood sugar levels. Snacks after the evening meal should be low in carbohydrates and calories. Examples are diet soda, baby carrots, a few saltines, sugar-free gelatin or one piece of hard candy. Snacking close to bedtime, especially on snacks that are high in carbohydrates, can result in high blood sugar levels in the morning. Diabetics who snack late at night might experience the dawn phenomenon, which is an increase in blood glucose levels that occurs between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Night-Eating Syndrome
Diabetics who exhibit night-eating syndrome eat excessively in the evening and awaken throughout the night to eat. Night-eating syndrome in diabetics can result in weight gain, poorly controlled blood glucose levels and other complications. Diabetics who have night-eating syndrome may require additional assistance from a health care professional, including mental health services.
Hypoglycemia
Talk to your doctor if you take diabetes medication and you are using nighttime snacking to prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, during the night or while you sleep. If you wake up sweaty with headaches, nightmares or fatigue, you might have low blood sugar. Your doctor might advise you to wake up in the middle of the night to check your blood glucose level. Hypoglycemia can occur if you do not eat enough food before going to bed or if you have exercised strenuously and not adjusted your medication.
Tips and Warnings
Talk to your doctor or dietitian about eating at night, healthy food choices and avoiding low and high blood sugar level. Tell your doctor if you suspect you have hypoglycemia at night or during sleep. Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition that is more dangerous if you are asleep and unable to treat yourself to raise your blood sugar level.
References
- MedlinePlus: Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Dining on Time
- MayoClinic.com; Late Night Eating -- OK If You Have Diabetes?; Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.; December 2010
- MayoClinic.com; The Dawn-Phenomenon --What Causes It?; Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.; November 2009
- Diabetes Care; Isn't This Just Snacking; Shereen A. Morse, M.D., et al; May 2007
- American Diabetes Association: Hypoglycemia
