Hypoglycemia is the term for a blood glucose level that is lower than normal. When foods are digested in the body, they are
broken down into many nutrients. These nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream to be used in performing various body
functions. One of these nutrients is glucose, a sugar that provides fuel to the body. The process that regulates the amount
of sugar in the blood is complex. Adrenaline is a part of this complicated process. Everyone has experienced a rush of
adrenaline at some time -- that "love-at-first-sight" feeling, or the pounding heart after narrowly escaping an accident.
Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. The sudden release of adrenaline is what
causes the symptoms of hypoglycemia -- apprehension, hunger, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and faintness.
Hypoglycemia can occur from certain illnesses, such as liver disease and some types of tumors. These conditions cause a
type of hypoglycemia called organic hypoglycemia. They usually require specific medical treatment or surgery. There is
another type of hypoglycemia. In some people, the body simply responds differently to the digestion of foods. Some foods
are digested and absorbed rapidly, resulting in a burst of glucose entering the bloodstream. In most people the body adjusts
smoothly. It would be like two children trying to balance a see-saw. There may be a slight teetering or swinging up and down
as the children shift their weight to achieve the balance. In some people, however, the response is like an actively rocking
see-saw swinging up and down. The body over-reacts and sets the process in motion to reduce blood glucose. The result is
a glucose level that is too low. Then the body releases adrenaline, increasing glucose in the bloodstream. This is called
Reactive Hypoglycemia -- the body is simply over-reacting. It is not easy to diagnose. However, it usually occurs consistently
from one to three hours after a meal and returns to normal on its own. When no known medical causes are found, the
diagnosis of reactive hypoglycemia is made. The best way to manage reactive hypoglycemia is have glucose enter the
bloodstream at a steady, even pace. This can be done with changes in eating habits.
General Information
Simple carbohydrates and concentrated sweets: All carbohydrates can be broken down into glucose in the
body. Some carbohydrates have a simple structure that easily breaks down into glucose. These are simple
carbohydrates, commonly known as sugars. Table sugar, corn syrup, and honey are simple carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates also occur naturally in fruits, milk, and other foods. They are digested rapidly, and this
allows glucose to be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly. Therefore, meals that are high in simple
carbohydrates can contribute to reactive hypoglycemia. Concentrated sweets such as candy, table sugar, soft
drinks, cookies, cakes, and ice cream are mainly simple carbohydrates. Avoid these foods unless they are
made with sugar substitutes. Read package labels to avoid foods containing sugars. Look for terms such as
sugar, corn syrup, corn sweetener, or high fructose corn syrup.
Complex carbohydrates and proteins are important in the diet. They are a basic source of energy. Complex
carbohydrates are many molecules of simple sugars linked together like beads on a string. They take longer to
break down in the intestine. This helps to keep blood glucose levels more consistent. Pasta, grains, and
potatoes are complex carbohydrates. Proteins are made of amino acids that the body needs for growth and
good health. Foods from animal sources contain protein, but so do legumes, nuts and seeds. Most food
protein can be converted into glucose by the body, but since this process takes some time, the glucose gets
into the bloodstream at a slower, more consistent pace. That is why people with reactive hypoglycemia should
eat complex carbohydrates and protein for their energy needs, instead of simple carbohydrates.
Choose high fiber foods. Fiber is the indigestible part of plants. Insoluble fiber, such as wheat bran, does not
dissolve in water. It adds bulk to the stool and causes it to pass through the intestine more quickly. Soluble
fiber does dissolve in water, forming a sticky gel. It is found in the fibrous coatings of foods such as legumes,
oat products, and pectin found in fruit. Soluble fiber delays stomach emptying, digestion, and absorption of
glucose. Therefore, it helps to prevent hypoglycemia symptoms between meals. When making fruit choices,
choose whole fresh fruits or those canned without added sugar instead of fruit juice. The added fiber helps to
slow down the absorption of sugar.
Size and frequency of meals is very important for managing hypoglycemia. The body really can't tell the
difference between the glucose in a candy bar and the glucose in a whole grain roll. The object is to manage
the diet so glucose is released into the bloodstream slowly and evenly. Many people skip meals, and this is
certainly not good for people with reactive hypoglycemia. Start out with three well-balanced meals. Include a
small mid-morning, afternoon, and evening snack. If symptoms are not relieved, it may be necessary to divide
the daily food intake into five or six smaller, well-balanced meals evenly spaced throughout the day. Include an
evening snack. Choose more complex carbohydrates over concentrated sweets, and try to include some
insoluble fiber and protein with each meal.
Fats like those in whole milk, cheese, and meats should be limited. A low-fat diet has been shown to help in
treating hypoglycemia. When selecting dairy products and meats for protein; choose lean meat, skim milk
products, and eggs in moderation. Use oils sparingly.
Sweeteners such as sorbitol, saccharin, and aspartame (Equal® and Nutria sweet®) do not contain sugar or
calories and may be used in a hypoglycemia diet.
Alcohol is high in calories and can cause hypoglycemia all by itself. Therefore, people with reactive
hypoglycemia should avoid or limit alcohol.
Caffeine should be avoided. Caffeine stimulates the production of adrenaline. So does reactive hypoglycemia.
Body Weight: Excess weight has been shown to interfere with the body functions that regulate glucose. So if
you are overweight, reducing to the proper body weight could help to control reactive hypoglycemia.
Sample Daily Nutrition
Breakfast orange juice 1/2 cup,Cornflakes 3/4 cup,Whole wheat toast
1 slice, margarine 1 tsp sugar-free jelly 1 tsp, skim milk 1 cup, coffee/creamer/sugar substitute
Snack 1 Orange
Lunch lean hamburger 2 oz, hamburger bun 1, lettuce/tomato slice, cooked carrot, 1/2 cup, tossed salad/Italian dressing 1
Tbsp, fresh apple 1, sugar-free gelatin, skim milk 1 cup
Snack 1 cup Skim Milk, 3 Graham Crackers
Dinner baked chicken breast 2 oz, baked potato 1/2 medium, green beans 1/2 cup, sliced Strawberries 1/2 cup, dinner roll
1, diet margarine 1 tsp, diet soda
Snack Peanut Butter 1 TSP, Saltine Crackers 6, Cranberry Juice 1/3 cup
1760 Calories 90 grams protein, 232 carbs, 2000 mil sodium, potassium 3300 If you substitute Graham crackers for the
saltine it will reduce some of the sodium as it is at the maximum as written
broken down into many nutrients. These nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream to be used in performing various body
functions. One of these nutrients is glucose, a sugar that provides fuel to the body. The process that regulates the amount
of sugar in the blood is complex. Adrenaline is a part of this complicated process. Everyone has experienced a rush of
adrenaline at some time -- that "love-at-first-sight" feeling, or the pounding heart after narrowly escaping an accident.
Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. The sudden release of adrenaline is what
causes the symptoms of hypoglycemia -- apprehension, hunger, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and faintness.
Hypoglycemia can occur from certain illnesses, such as liver disease and some types of tumors. These conditions cause a
type of hypoglycemia called organic hypoglycemia. They usually require specific medical treatment or surgery. There is
another type of hypoglycemia. In some people, the body simply responds differently to the digestion of foods. Some foods
are digested and absorbed rapidly, resulting in a burst of glucose entering the bloodstream. In most people the body adjusts
smoothly. It would be like two children trying to balance a see-saw. There may be a slight teetering or swinging up and down
as the children shift their weight to achieve the balance. In some people, however, the response is like an actively rocking
see-saw swinging up and down. The body over-reacts and sets the process in motion to reduce blood glucose. The result is
a glucose level that is too low. Then the body releases adrenaline, increasing glucose in the bloodstream. This is called
Reactive Hypoglycemia -- the body is simply over-reacting. It is not easy to diagnose. However, it usually occurs consistently
from one to three hours after a meal and returns to normal on its own. When no known medical causes are found, the
diagnosis of reactive hypoglycemia is made. The best way to manage reactive hypoglycemia is have glucose enter the
bloodstream at a steady, even pace. This can be done with changes in eating habits.
General Information
Simple carbohydrates and concentrated sweets: All carbohydrates can be broken down into glucose in the
body. Some carbohydrates have a simple structure that easily breaks down into glucose. These are simple
carbohydrates, commonly known as sugars. Table sugar, corn syrup, and honey are simple carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates also occur naturally in fruits, milk, and other foods. They are digested rapidly, and this
allows glucose to be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly. Therefore, meals that are high in simple
carbohydrates can contribute to reactive hypoglycemia. Concentrated sweets such as candy, table sugar, soft
drinks, cookies, cakes, and ice cream are mainly simple carbohydrates. Avoid these foods unless they are
made with sugar substitutes. Read package labels to avoid foods containing sugars. Look for terms such as
sugar, corn syrup, corn sweetener, or high fructose corn syrup.
Complex carbohydrates and proteins are important in the diet. They are a basic source of energy. Complex
carbohydrates are many molecules of simple sugars linked together like beads on a string. They take longer to
break down in the intestine. This helps to keep blood glucose levels more consistent. Pasta, grains, and
potatoes are complex carbohydrates. Proteins are made of amino acids that the body needs for growth and
good health. Foods from animal sources contain protein, but so do legumes, nuts and seeds. Most food
protein can be converted into glucose by the body, but since this process takes some time, the glucose gets
into the bloodstream at a slower, more consistent pace. That is why people with reactive hypoglycemia should
eat complex carbohydrates and protein for their energy needs, instead of simple carbohydrates.
Choose high fiber foods. Fiber is the indigestible part of plants. Insoluble fiber, such as wheat bran, does not
dissolve in water. It adds bulk to the stool and causes it to pass through the intestine more quickly. Soluble
fiber does dissolve in water, forming a sticky gel. It is found in the fibrous coatings of foods such as legumes,
oat products, and pectin found in fruit. Soluble fiber delays stomach emptying, digestion, and absorption of
glucose. Therefore, it helps to prevent hypoglycemia symptoms between meals. When making fruit choices,
choose whole fresh fruits or those canned without added sugar instead of fruit juice. The added fiber helps to
slow down the absorption of sugar.
Size and frequency of meals is very important for managing hypoglycemia. The body really can't tell the
difference between the glucose in a candy bar and the glucose in a whole grain roll. The object is to manage
the diet so glucose is released into the bloodstream slowly and evenly. Many people skip meals, and this is
certainly not good for people with reactive hypoglycemia. Start out with three well-balanced meals. Include a
small mid-morning, afternoon, and evening snack. If symptoms are not relieved, it may be necessary to divide
the daily food intake into five or six smaller, well-balanced meals evenly spaced throughout the day. Include an
evening snack. Choose more complex carbohydrates over concentrated sweets, and try to include some
insoluble fiber and protein with each meal.
Fats like those in whole milk, cheese, and meats should be limited. A low-fat diet has been shown to help in
treating hypoglycemia. When selecting dairy products and meats for protein; choose lean meat, skim milk
products, and eggs in moderation. Use oils sparingly.
Sweeteners such as sorbitol, saccharin, and aspartame (Equal® and Nutria sweet®) do not contain sugar or
calories and may be used in a hypoglycemia diet.
Alcohol is high in calories and can cause hypoglycemia all by itself. Therefore, people with reactive
hypoglycemia should avoid or limit alcohol.
Caffeine should be avoided. Caffeine stimulates the production of adrenaline. So does reactive hypoglycemia.
Body Weight: Excess weight has been shown to interfere with the body functions that regulate glucose. So if
you are overweight, reducing to the proper body weight could help to control reactive hypoglycemia.
Sample Daily Nutrition
Breakfast orange juice 1/2 cup,Cornflakes 3/4 cup,Whole wheat toast
1 slice, margarine 1 tsp sugar-free jelly 1 tsp, skim milk 1 cup, coffee/creamer/sugar substitute
Snack 1 Orange
Lunch lean hamburger 2 oz, hamburger bun 1, lettuce/tomato slice, cooked carrot, 1/2 cup, tossed salad/Italian dressing 1
Tbsp, fresh apple 1, sugar-free gelatin, skim milk 1 cup
Snack 1 cup Skim Milk, 3 Graham Crackers
Dinner baked chicken breast 2 oz, baked potato 1/2 medium, green beans 1/2 cup, sliced Strawberries 1/2 cup, dinner roll
1, diet margarine 1 tsp, diet soda
Snack Peanut Butter 1 TSP, Saltine Crackers 6, Cranberry Juice 1/3 cup
1760 Calories 90 grams protein, 232 carbs, 2000 mil sodium, potassium 3300 If you substitute Graham crackers for the
saltine it will reduce some of the sodium as it is at the maximum as written
Hypoglycemia information and diet
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