Hypoglycemia > Dietary Tips

Health Condition

Hypoglycemia

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

  • High-Fiber Diet

    Stabilize your blood sugar by eating fiber from whole grains, beans and other legumes, vegetables, and fruit in small, frequent meals.
    High-Fiber Diet
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    Doctors find that people with hypoglycemia usually improve when they eliminate refined sugars and alcohol from their diet, eat foods high in fiber (such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts), and eat small, frequent meals. Few studies have investigated the effects of these changes, but the research that is available generally supports the observations of doctors.10,11,12,13 Some symptoms of low blood sugar may be related to, or made worse by, food allergies.14

  • Dietary Caffeine

    Even modest amounts of caffeine may increase hypoglycemia symptoms, so avoid all caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas.
    Dietary Caffeine
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    Even modest amounts of caffeine may increase symptoms of hypoglycemia.15 For this reason, caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea, and some soda pop) should be avoided.

  • High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate

    Some doctors have seen good results with high-protein (more meat or soy), low-carbohydrate diets (less pasta, breads, and pastries), particularly among people who do not improve with a high-fiber, high-complex-carbohydrate diet.
    High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate
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    Some people report an improvement in hypoglycemia episodes when eating a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. That observation appears to conflict with research showing that increasing protein intake can impair the body’s ability to process sugar,16 possibly because protein increases insulin levels17 (insulin reduces blood sugar levels). However, some doctors have seen good results with high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets, particularly among people who do not improve with a high-fiber, high-complex-carbohydrate diet.

References

1. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2017: Promoting health and reducing disparities in populations. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care 2017;40:S6–10.

2. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2017: Lifestyle management. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care 2017;40:S33–43.

3. Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose). American Diabetes Association [last edited 2015 Jul 1]. Available from URL: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html?loc=type1-exercise.

4. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2017: Glycemic targets. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care 2017;40:S48–56.

5. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2017: Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care 2017;40:S25–32.

6. Anderson RA et al. Chromium supplementation of humans with hypoglycemia. Fed Proc 1984;43:471.

7. Stebbing JB et al. Reactive hypoglycemia and magnesium. Magnesium Bull 1982;2:131-4.

8. Shansky A. Vitamin B3 in the alleviation of hypoglycemia. Drug Cosm Ind 1981;129(4):68-69,104-5.

9. Gaby AR, Wright JV. Nutritional regulation of blood glucose. J Advancement Med 1991;4:57-71.

10. Sanders LR, Hofeldt FD, Kirk MC, Levin J. Refined carbohydrate as a contributing factor in reactive hypoglycemia. South Med J 1982;75:1072-5.

11. Permutt MA. Postprandial hypoglycemia. Diabetes 1976;25:719-33.

12. O'Keefe SJD, Marks V. Lunchtime gin and tonic as a cause of reactive hypoglycemia. Lancet 1977;1:1286-8.

13. Hofeldt FD. Reactive hypoglycemia. Metabolism 1975;24:1193-208.

14. Rippere V. “A little something between meals”: masked addiction not low blood blood-sugar. Lancet 1979;1:1349 [letter].

15. Watson JM, Jenkins EJ, Hamilton P, et al. Influence of caffeine on the frequency and perception of hypoglycemia in free-living patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000;23:455-9.

16. Anderson JW, Herman RH. Effects of carbohydrate restriction on glucose tolerance of normal men and reactive hypoglycemic patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1975;28:748-55.

17. Ullrich IH, Peters PJ, Albrink JA. Effect of low-carbohydrate diets high in either fat or protein on thyroid function, plasma insulin, glucose, and triglycerides in healthy young adults. J Am Coll Nutr 1985;4:451-9.