Reactive hypoglycemia is low blood sugar that occurs after a meal. If your doctor diagnoses you with reactive hypoglycemia, you will have to make changes to your diet to prevent your blood sugar from falling. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse recommends seeking out high-fiber, low glycemic index foods such as white beans.
Reactive Hypoglycemia
The precise cause of reactive hypoglycemia is not well known. Reactive hypoglycemia is characterized by a drop in blood sugar within four hours of a meal, without the diagnosis of diabetes. Gastrointestinal surgery may also cause reactive hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia, blood sugar below 60 mg per dL, include confusion, weakness, hunger, sweating, shaking, anxiety, dizziness, slurred speech and sleepiness. Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to coma, organ damage or death, if blood sugar falls so low that the brain or heart cease functioning.
Food Choices
The Mayo Clinic recommends eating small portions every three hours to manage reactive hypoglycemia. Alcohol and sugary foods appear to be major triggers for reactive hypoglycemia, especially when eaten alone. Plan your diet around healthy foods such as lean protein, low-fat dairy, vegetables, whole grains, fruit and beans or legumes. It may help to keep a diary of food to determine which foods you eat are more likely to lead to hypoglycemia.
White Beans
White beans and other legumes are high in protein and fiber, as well as slowly digesting carbohydrates. As these carbohydrates are digested, they will supply y a steady stream of sugars into your bloodstream. The McKinley Health Center recommends beans as a healthy food for those suffering from reactive hypoglycemia. A single serving, approximately 160 grams, of cooked white beans contains 200 calories, 40 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fiber, 15 grams of protein as well as calcium and iron, according to Calorie Galerie.
Other Changes
Be sure to add regular physical activity to your daily routine to help manage reactive hypoglycemia. Your physician may recommend that you regularly monitor your blood sugar. This can help you learn the onset of hypoglycemia and take preventative action. Failure to manage hypoglycemia can lead to hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure, a condition where your hormones fall out of balance and lead to an increase in frequency and severity of hypoglycemic attacks.
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