Diet for People With Hypoglycemia

A hypoglycemic typically experiences a dip in blood sugar that causes a series of symptoms two to three hours after he eats. Dizziness, fatigue, headache and weakness are just a few of his problems. To combat fluctuating blood sugar levels, it is recommended to eat at least five small meals a day. Treat hypoglycemia with a diet that ensures proper nutrition.

Nutrition

• Hypoglycemia rates have been skyrocketing in recent years thanks in part to poor diets and fast food. Diets made up of simple carbohydrates exacerbate the problem. The first step is to come up with a plan to get the foods you need. Your diet should consist mainly of fiber, vegetables, low-fat cheeses, lean proteins and fruits. Rid your pantries of canned foods, alcohol, packaged foods, white flour and carbonated drinks. Fill them with handy ingredients for making healthy meals like whole wheat pasta, legumes, peas, wheat flour, brown rice, oatmeal and bran. Purchase packages of tofu, skinless chicken breasts, broccoli, spinach, apples, apricots, bananas, feta cheese and goat cheese. Because you can't have sugar, try out sugar alternatives like molasses, brown rice syrup, and honey. Try out Stevia, which is a sweet herb used as a sugar substitute.

Breakfast

• Breakfast is still insurmountably important. For a hypoglycemic, it sets the tone of how they will feel the rest of the day. Make a delicious breakfast bowl by cooking egg whites, spinach and turkey bacon. Throw avocados on top of any egg dish because they suppress insulin production. Bake a wonderful nonsugar zucchini bread, (see References below). Be sure to eat a morning meal if you like to exercise before work. Even a small meal of fruit, oat bran and nonsugar yogurt can steady your blood sugar. Working out is an essential part of maintaining proper glycemic levels. Stress affects our adrenal functions which can cause fluctuation in blood sugar.

Snacks

• If it helps you, set your clock's timer every three hours to indicate when you need to eat again. When away from your home or work desk, carry a package of nuts as an emergency. The best combination to eat when blood sugar is low is something with both fiber and protein. Options include natural peanut butter and apple slices, feta cheese and hummus with wheat crackers, or chicken and whole wheat bread. Eating fiber by itself will help in maintaining blood sugar levels. Enjoy popcorn, oat bran or brown rice. End your day on a tasty note. Prepare fresh fish, roasted chicken, tofu, turkey sausages or lamb. You can eat in moderation whole wheat pasta, corn, hominy and yams. Many people find it very beneficial to have a small meal prior to going to bed. Experiment with some of your favorite recipes. Try taking the starches out and adding spaghetti squash or sweet potatoes. Keep a food journal in order to record how certain foods make you feel. Record the time you ate, what you ate and your portion size. Control your hypoglycemia by frequently snacking and making better decisions about your health.