Hypoglycemia Diet

What is the hypoglycemia diet all about? This article will give you more information on the hypoglycemic diet plan along with the guidelines that one should follow. Read on...

Hypoglycemia is a condition that develops when the blood sugar level drops to abnormally low levels. Hypoglycemia occurs as a result of missed meals, as a side effect of some disease and disorder, due to consuming alcohol, etc. However, sometimes, due to malfunctioning of the pancreas, there is an over production of insulin which leads to low blood sugar. On the other hand, excessive consumption of sugars and refined carbohydrates can also trigger off excess production of insulin which can lead to hypoglycemia. In either of the cases, it is essential to follow a hypoglycemia diet for the prevention of further complications. Let us take a look at the hypoglycemic diet in detail.

Hypoglycemia Diet Guidelines

There are a certain guidelines that one needs to follow in order to prevent hypoglycemia in the future.

You should have 5-6 small meals and the time gap between two meals should not be more than 3-4 hours. You should also snack on healthy foods as soon as you feel hungry and never miss meals.

You should avoid consumption of excess sugar and refined carbohydrates as they tend to increase the blood sugar and contribute towards reactive hypoglycemia.

You should rather have complex carbohydrates as they take a longer time to break down which helps in maintaining consistent sugar levels.

Foods containing fibers, essential vitamins and minerals should also be included in the diet as they aid in digestion and carbohydrate metabolism in the body.

You should cut down on foods containing excess fats and caffeine as both of them can affect the sugar level in the body and is not good for reactive hypoglycemia.

You need to note that obesity can affect the production and functioning of insulin and hence, it is essential to maintain proper weight.

Lastly, consuming alcohol on an empty stomach is one of the most common causes of hypoglycemia and hence, one should either avoid it completely.

Hypoglycemia Diet Menu

Based on the above mentioned guidelines, there are certain foods one should consume and avoid in order to prevent hypoglycemia. Including these foods in the diet can also help in maintaining proper sugar levels in the body. Let us take a look at the hypoglycemia diet plan in detail.

Hypoglycemia Diet: Foods Safe to Eat

Lean meats, eggs

Beans and legumes

Nuts and seeds

Vegetables, especially green leafy ones

Brown rice, whole wheat bread, oatmeal

Whole grain products

Low fat milk, cheese, yogurt

Fruits are safe to consume as long as you do not suffer from severe hypoglycemia as they contain sugars. However, if you crave sweets, you can opt for fresh fruits as they contain natural sugars rather than going for sweets made from refined sugars and flour.

Hypoglycemia Diet: Foods to Avoid

As mentioned above, all sugar containing, refined carbohydrate containing, fatty foods are to be avoided in your diet for low blood sugar. The following is a list of foods to be avoided.

White flour, white rice, white pasta

All sugar containing foods

Soft drinks, fruit juices, coffee, alcohol

Ice creams, desserts, chocolates

Processed meats, red meat

Butter, cheese, whole milk

Fried foods, fried meats, chips

You should note that caffeine contributes in causing reactive hypoglycemia and hence, should not be consumed. Coffee and most of the soft drinks, sodas contain caffeine and hence, should be excluded from the hypoglycemic diet for low blood sugar. One should also note that certain medications may also contain caffeine and one needs to look at the label in such cases. When high fat containing and sweet foodstuffs are cut down from the diet, it automatically helps in reducing weight, which consequently helps in prevention of hypoglycemia.

This was brief information on hypoglycemia diet guidelines with a list of foods safe to consume and foods to be avoided. Following this diet will help in maintaining proper blood sugar level which helps in treatment and prevention of hypoglycemia. Take care!