Hypoglycemic Diet -- Blood Sugar Diet

There is a lot of different information out there about what exactly works with a hypoglycemic diet. Just to make sure we're all on the same page, hypoglycemia is a state of low blood sugar that fluctuates due to a variety of factors. Some experts claim that eating lots of carbohydrates is bad, while others claim that lots of proteins are bad. The most probable reason for this is that different people's bodies are different. That's one of the reasons why I like the blood type diet is because it actually makes a differentiation between different person's body types and what foods they ought to eat. With hypoglycemia, it's difficult to say what kind of diet will work best because there are different causes of blood sugar fluctuations that occur in different persons, and some of them depend on how a person's metabolism functions. Since the metabolism of each person is unique, the way they metabolize sugars and use them is different.

But in general, when a person eats foods, some foods are much simpler to digest and are absorbed into the bloodstream with ease.  This causes a spike in blood sugar after meals, which is sometimes called hyperglycemia, not to be confused with hypoglycemia.  In some persons however, the body can react negatively to this spike in blood sugar, and will initiate a process to drop the levels of blood sugar rapidly, thus causing a state of reactive hypoglycemia.  The body will then generally release adrenaline in order to return glucose to proper levels in the bloodstream.

So before we move on to the next section, here are a few common habits and foods that are very helpful for persons who suffer from hypoglycemia. The first big tip that works for a lot of people is to eat many small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals. Eating up to 6 small meals will definitely help regulate blood sugar and keep it within normal levels. And don't ever skip breakfast. And when you do eat breakfast, most people seem to prefer a breakfast that's high in protein, like eggs, though you'll have to experiment and see what works. Another tip that's suitable is to avoid foods like refined sugar, caffeine, and white flour as much as possible. These foods anyone can benefit from eating less of them.

It's important to note that in the world of blood sugar, not all sugars are created equal. Sugar is the overarching term that describes multiple chemicals, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The way these sugars are processed and enter the blood stream are different. Glucose is the most common sugar, and is generally what's referred to when people say "blood sugar." Once it combines with a water molecule, glucose can enter directly into the blood stream through the intestinal wall. Cane sugar, or sucrose, is the same way. Only fructose is more difficult for the body to metabolize. Fructose, which is also known as fruit sugar, is often carried to the liver for processing before it enters the bloodstream, making it a more even release of energy. That's why fruits are often recommended to person's who have problems with hypoglycemia, because it has a low glycemic index. Glycemic index refers to the effect that carbohydrate containing foods have on a person's blood sugar level. Foods with low glycemic index have a smaller effect on blood sugar levels.

This is true of any complex carbohydrate.  Carbohydrates which take longer to absorb into the bloodstream are termed complex carbohydrates.  Though research is still inconclusive about how many carbohydrates to eat verses proteins in a hypoglycemic diet, most agree that eating more complex carbohydrates and fewer simple carbohydrates is always a good thing.  Complex carbohydrates will cause a lower spike in blood sugar, which will help prevent the corresponding fall into hypoglycemia.

Without extensive testing, it's difficult for a person to find out how different foods are affecting their bodies and their blood sugar.  But since the aim of a hypoglycemic diet is to keep blood sugar within a normal range, a food journal is one of the best ways to accomplish that.  When a state of hypoglycemia sets in, it isn't difficult to feel.  Hypoglycemia is easy to recognize.  Your body feels pretty lousy.  So when you eat, drink, and take medication, start recording what you eat, and how you feel for the next two hours afterward.  This type of self-regulation works for a number of different conditions.  My own father, who was suffering from heart arrhythmia, started keeping track of when the arrhythmia seemed to especially act up and what foods seemed to be the cause.  Through this type of self-regulation, he was able to virtually eliminate the condition without the need for medications or doctor visits.

But back to the hypoglycemic diet.  Another thing that's very worthy of note is a few foods that a person suffering from hypoglycemia should especially try to stay away from.  Things like alcohol, refined sugar, white flour, and caffeine can definitely heavily affect blood sugar levels adversely, and it's best to try and stay away from them as much as possible.

In another recent article, I wrote about cortisol, which is one of the stress hormones released by the adrenal glands along with adrenaline during times of heightened stress.  Cortisol, among many other things, helps to regulate blood sugar and insulin in the body.  In fact, if prolonged periods of stress are severe enough to lead to adrenal fatigue inside the body, diabetes or an increased sensitivity to insulin can often set in because of it.  Ongoing stress can wreak havoc on your body and especially on the way that your body regulates blood sugar.  So if you often suffer from hypoglycemia and you also are suffering from prolonged periods of stress and lack of sleep, you might want to consider a supplement that supports the adrenal glands and seeks to keep cortisol levels within a normal range.  I've left you a link to a supplement at the bottom that I really like.  It's a blend of natural vitamins, minerals, and herbs that all work together to help support proper cortisol levels and healthy adrenal gland function.