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High Protein Diet for Low Blood Sugar

Glucose, or sugar, during digestion is absorbed into the bloodstream and turned into insulin by the pancreas in order for the cells to create energy. When someone with low blood sugar or hypoglycemia has a dip in blood sugar, the body struggles to maintain stable blood sugar. Protein is able to help regulate blood sugar for a longer period of time than complex or simple carbohydrates. Learn more about a high-protein diet for those who suffer of low blood sugar.

  1. How Much Protein to Eat

    • According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, protein should make up 10 to 35 percent of daily nutrition. The average women needs 46 g of protein, and men need 56 g. These amounts seem large until you think about the fact that one cup of milk has 8 g of protein and a 3.5 oz. chicken breast has 30 g. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating 4 to 6 oz. of meat or meat substitutes every day; meat substitutes are tofu, cheese, dairy products or legumes. One ounce of meat would be equivalent to one egg or 1/2 cup of tofu. Be sure to measure out your servings so you don't over or under eat your allotment of protein.

    Servings Sizes

    • Knowing how to eyeball serving sizes will come in handy when eating out. The National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease suggests incorporating lean meats into diets. Lean-meat options include fish, poultry, tofu and shellfish. One 3 oz. chicken breast would be roughly the size of a deck of cards. A 3 oz. fillet of fish is the size of one checkbook and 22 g of protein. Tofu the size of a cassette tape is 3 oz. and 6.9 g of protein. Likewise, 3 oz.of shrimp (or 8 moderately sized shrimp) have 18 g of protein. Bring a small journal with you to write down your protein grams throughout the day; this will ensure you are getting balanced nutrition.

    Diet

    • According to the Diabetes Food Pyramid, a proper diet should include 6 to 11 servings of grains, 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, 2 to 4 servings of fruits and 2 to 3 servings of milk and dairy. Many people with low blood sugar are sensitive to carbohydrate intake. Some foods with refined flour and sugar can spike blood sugar and cause it to crash. Avoid crashing blood sugar by eating fibrous carbohydrates. Soluble fiber takes longer to be digested; therefore, it stays in the stomach longer, which keeps the body full and slowly affects blood sugar. Soluble fiber foods consist of oat bran, brown rice, barley, flaxseed and psyllium husk.

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