Diet For Hypoglycemia

Your diet for hypoglycemia is one of the essential factors for regulating hypoglycemia. Another is managing stress. 

This is a subject that I am passionate about as I have struggled with hypoglycemia for years and it took me a long time to learn exactly what I needed to do to control it. Also there are so many vegetarians or vegans that are hypoglycemic and eating way too many sweets and carbs, due to eating insufficient protein.

What is hyopglycemia?

During digestion all carbohydrates are broken down into a simple sugar called glucose for your cells to use. This glucose is carried through the blood stream to be transformed into fuel for the body to use as needed. All your cells particularly those in your brain require a steady supply of glucose at all times.

When your body has the optimal amount of sugar in the blood you feel good. When your sugar levels drop too low they start sending out the distress signals that they need more. This low blood sugar is hypoglycemia.

Usually most people feel the need to eat once their blood sugar levels get too low. This is what causes overweight as people with low blood sugar tend to eat all the time in order to try to feel better.

Hypoglycemia what to eat?

Your diet for hypoglycemia should contain plenty of whole, fresh foods, fresh vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats.

It is essential to get adequate protein for those suffering from hypoglycemia, especially at breakfast. This will help sweet cravings.

Two eggs for breakfast would be ideal. Eat full protein for lunch and dinner. Make sure to eat a protein snack every afternoon, before your blood sugar drops. Avoid all refined foods: White sugar, white flour, and anything containing them. They weaken our glands and our whole body. They decrease our energy and weaken our immune system.

Avoid also all refined, heated or processed fats or oils. When using oils ensure you use either extra virgin olive oil or first pressed cold oils. All oils that are refined, that we find in all processed foods, ie, margarine, salad dressings, mayonnaise, baked goods etc, are very hard on the liver. We need the liver to be strong in order for the glandular system to be strong to prevent hypoglycemia.

For hypoglycemia dieting stay away from fruits until you get your sweet cravings under control.

Never skip a meal. 

Drink plenty of water. 

Other good things to drink:

• Herbal tea
• cereal coffee
• Soup Broths
• Make a shake with whey protein, or soy protein, carob powder and stevia
• Liquid chlorophyll in water

Avoid:

• Juice
• and sweet drinks, soft drinks etc.
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Chocolate

For best results it is important to follow this plan for a period of 5 to 8 weeks. During this time the body will have a chance to rest, detox, and regain strength. In time you can return to a diet that is less strict, while continuing to follow the basic principles.

Low blood sugar

Submitted by Cinzia
(Montreal, Canada)

My daughter seems to suffer from low blood sugar, especially after school. When she comes home and is hungry in the afternoon, the slightest thing can set her off and she'll completely fly off the handle.

Is there a power bar or something she can have as a snack that can help?

Sue-Anne's Reply:
Many people suffer from low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, mostly due to a diet high in refined carbohydrates and a lack of protein.

There are two main things to do:
1. Reduce sweets and refined carbohydrates and
2. Increase protein,
for all meals, snacks and especially at breakfast.

For breakfast, 2 eggs are ideal. For a change from eggs a high protein shake with an unsweetened protein powder, either whey or soy. Use unsweetened soy milk, rice or almond milk. Add in some yogurt or soft tofu, berries, and / or a ripe banana, an egg yolk, and sweeten with stevia or xylitol.
Toast can be made with spelt or kamut sourdough bread (Ynew is a brand of healthy bread available in Montreal) and a thick layer of raw almond butter for some protein (Maranatha makes a very good raw almond butter.)

Having a high protein breakfast will help keep her more satisfied and balanced throughout the day. Make sure she has a high protein morning snack and lunch.

Most store bought power bars are high in sugar and low in protein, check the labels. There are many snack ideas on my "Healthy Snacks" page on my site. Some home made trail mix or a home made power bar for her to snack on, on the way home for school should have her arrive home happy and more pleasant to be around. :)