Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are polar opposites. They are two extremes of blood sugar levels, yet each are equally dangerous. According to the Friedman Diabetes Institute, the body converts foods into sugar as a means of extrapolating energy. When the body doesn't have enough sugar, it is in a state of hypoglycemia, and when the body has too much sugar, it is called hyperglycemia. It's important to monitor your diet, especially if you are at a higher risk for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia or if you currently have diabetes. While certain foods can worsen these conditions, other foods and beverages can help to stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing the dangers of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts are a healthy food that can benefit both people who suffer from hyperglycemia and people who suffer from hypoglycemia. Reader's Digest magazine states that chicken breasts, which are lean and low in calories, provide numerous health benefits, such as stabilizing blood sugar levels. Both hyperglycemics and hypoglycemics can enjoy chicken breasts, as they naturally have no carbohydrates and will not raise blood sugar levels. People with low blood sugar may want to pair a protein-packed chicken breast with a carbohydrate-containing food, such as a sweet potato.
Vegetables
According to Reader's Digest magazine, vegetables are good for people who have trouble with high or low blood sugar levels. And they are rich in nutrients and fiber. Reader's Digest explains that when you eat complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, you are less likely to eat refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta, which can spike blood sugar levels. This is because the vegetables are filling. Reader's Digest magazine recommends getting at least four to five servings of vegetables every day. Eating plenty of vegetables leaves little room for unhealthy foods that can raise blood sugar levels.
Fruit Juice
The Friedman Diabetes Institute states that fruit juices are a good beverage for hypoglycemics to have on hand. Hypoglycemics should not drink fruit juice every day or in excess, but for the times when a hypoglycemics' blood sugar drops dangerously low, and they start to feel dizzy and weak, the Friedman Diabetes institute recommends drinking half of a cup, or about four ounces of fruit juice. The sugar in fruit juice can raise blood sugar levels quickly in the case of such an emergency. But people with hyperglycemia should limit fruit juice, because it could increase their already high blood sugar levels.
Milk
Milk can be used to help the situations in both low and high blood sugar, depending on the type and the amount. For example, the Friedman Diabetes Institute states that one cup, or eight ounces of fat free milk has about 15 g of carbohydrates, which can be used to bring blood sugar levels up quickly if a hypoglycemic person is experiencing a severe blood sugar drop. Milk also contains protein which is important to stabilize the condition of people with hyperglycemia. Although it is a good source of protein, people with hyperglycemia do need to allot for the 15 g of carbohydrates in each cup of milk. They should not exceed their daily carbohydrate limit as recommended by a doctor or dietitian, or their blood sugars might raise.
