Aa
Hypoglycemia
Went for a normal physical with fasting labs. I got a call from my doctor two days later and my glucose was 56. They were concerned about me being possibly hypoglycemic. Been checking it on and off and reading a lot on the subject but no definite answer as to what I need to be watching for in the future. It ranges from being in the 60s to 120s. The highest I've ever saw it go is 122 but that was two hours after eating. I get mixed reviews…some material says eat 6 times a day (impossible since I work in a hospital) some say high protein diet others say not to… I'm just getting so confused as to what is right or wrong or normal and not normal with this. Any suggestions?
Here is where the battle is won or lost: INSULIN
Highly insulinogenic foods cause insulin secretion, which then acts in reducing blood sugar. Two common categories of insulinogenic foods are (1) simple carbohydrates (the white stuff like flour, rice, pasta, sugar, potatoes, crackers, bread, etc and (2) low fat protein (like chicken breast, egg whites, milk whey protein, etc). If you eat high proportion of food in your meals from either (1) and/or (2), you will induce high levels of secretion of insulin into your blood, making them cycle up and then plummet low.
Both (1) and (2) will cause your blood sugar to cycle up and then down. In the (1) condition, the simple carbs will deliver a bolus of glucose right into your blood, creating a spike in blood sugar, and then your body will react by secreting insulin to bring it low. In the (2) condition, the high dose of protein will cause an insulinogenic response, secreting insulin into the blood, which will then drive your blood sugar low, but then it will then take some of the protein and convert it to glucose via the gluconeogenesis reaction, which then will cause blood sugar level to go up and then your body to secrete more insulin into your blood, to bring sugar level low.
The best diet would be one that is not very insulinogenic. This will keep your blood sugar steady throughout the day, without cycling up and down. Best meal plan for this is LCHF, which basically resembles VEGETABLE + PROTEIN (meat/fish/egg) + FAT. Make sure fat is from natural sources, like olive oil, avocado, butter, coconut, etc, and not the fake stuff like margarine.
A typical LCHF meal looks like egg omelette with bacon, asparagus and mushrooms, or another example large salad with olive oil and steak, or another example broccoli sautéed in butter with roasted chicken thigh (with skin on). Try this for a week, and you will see a difference of how you feel, as you will gain control over insulin secretion, keeping your blood sugar rock steady and a feeling of being well fed.
Highly insulinogenic foods cause insulin secretion, which then acts in reducing blood sugar. Two common categories of insulinogenic foods are (1) simple carbohydrates (the white stuff like flour, rice, pasta, sugar, potatoes, crackers, bread, etc and (2) low fat protein (like chicken breast, egg whites, milk whey protein, etc). If you eat high proportion of food in your meals from either (1) and/or (2), you will induce high levels of secretion of insulin into your blood, making them cycle up and then plummet low.
Both (1) and (2) will cause your blood sugar to cycle up and then down. In the (1) condition, the simple carbs will deliver a bolus of glucose right into your blood, creating a spike in blood sugar, and then your body will react by secreting insulin to bring it low. In the (2) condition, the high dose of protein will cause an insulinogenic response, secreting insulin into the blood, which will then drive your blood sugar low, but then it will then take some of the protein and convert it to glucose via the gluconeogenesis reaction, which then will cause blood sugar level to go up and then your body to secrete more insulin into your blood, to bring sugar level low.
The best diet would be one that is not very insulinogenic. This will keep your blood sugar steady throughout the day, without cycling up and down. Best meal plan for this is LCHF, which basically resembles VEGETABLE + PROTEIN (meat/fish/egg) + FAT. Make sure fat is from natural sources, like olive oil, avocado, butter, coconut, etc, and not the fake stuff like margarine.
A typical LCHF meal looks like egg omelette with bacon, asparagus and mushrooms, or another example large salad with olive oil and steak, or another example broccoli sautéed in butter with roasted chicken thigh (with skin on). Try this for a week, and you will see a difference of how you feel, as you will gain control over insulin secretion, keeping your blood sugar rock steady and a feeling of being well fed.
60s is kind of low, but are you symptomatic then? Maybe for you this is the "norm".
You could always try to keep some almonds in your pocket and munch on them every few hours. 8 - 10 almonds have a lot of calories. This might keep your sugar from going too low -- if you are being bothered.
You could always try to keep some almonds in your pocket and munch on them every few hours. 8 - 10 almonds have a lot of calories. This might keep your sugar from going too low -- if you are being bothered.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Diabetes Prevention & Pre-Diabetes Community
Here are three summertime recipes that will satisfy your hunger without wreaking havoc on your blood sugar.
If you have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable. Find out how you can stop diabetes before it starts.
Diabetes-friendly recipes and tips for your game day party.
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Simple ways to keep your blood sugar in check.
8 blood sugar-safe eats.
