What Is Reactive Hypoglycemia?
Some people call it being "hangry," but reactive hypoglycemia means your blood sugar is too low. It's like your body's fuel tank is empty, and everything starts going a bit haywire. You might feel shaky, sweaty, or as grumpy as a bear that missed its lunch. It's not fun, and it's your body's way of saying, "Hey, I need some fuel!" This is reactive hypoglycemia. While it can happen to anyone now and again, some people struggle with it frequently as chronic reactive hypoglycemia, and this is when monitoring and treatment come into play.
The Simple Solution Often Overlooked
Before you rush off spending tons of money on fancy treatments, let's talk about something way simpler: your blood sugar levels. You'd be surprised how many people forget to check this "low-hanging fruit" to feel better that can make a huge difference.
Non-Diabetic Reactive Hypoglycemia
You may be wondering, "why do I have reactive hypoglycemia when I'm not diabetic?" And it's a reasonable question, but unfortunately, even people without diabetes can still have trouble with low blood sugar. And fixing it can be as simple as changing what you eat and checking your sugar levels more often. You want to make sure to stay in the safe zone of healthy blood sugar, between 80 and 120. Check the Low Blood Sugar Levels Chart and you can better avoid the symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels
Here is an example of how you can check and monitor your blood sugar to figure out where you are going wrong.
Track What You Eat
You can also keep a food diary of what you've eaten and note down when you start to feel the symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia. This will help you identify where you are going wrong in your eating habits. For example, if you feel reactive hypoglycemia coming on and you notice that you've only eating carbs all day, that is important information to help you change your diet in the future to avoid reactive hypoglycemia symptoms.
Eat Protein at Every Meal
Make sure that you do not miss out on crucial nutrients like protein. Second, try to avoid eating too many sweet things and not enough good stuff. It's all about balance. If you struggle with reactive hypoglycemia, this balance is key.
That's because protein takes longer to digest than the simple sugars in sweet treats and carbs, so having some protein with every meal will keep you going until the next meal. A good diet is a HUGE part of avoiding the day-to-day symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia and feeling overall better.
Snack Right
A great way to avoid reactive hypoglycemia symptoms is to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day. This can be achieved with healthy snacking, such as nuts and seeds, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Consider having a container of mixed nuts at your desk to munch on while you work. Plan an afternoon snack of carrots or celery with hummus. For a quick on-the-go snack, consider a protein bar. If you do go for a granola bar, make sure it has whole grains.
Treat Reactive Hypoglycemia Quickly
If you start to feel reactive hypoglycemia symptoms coming on, you should treat it right away. The sooner you get something in your stomach, the sooner you will feel better. Otherwise, the reactive hypoglycemia symptoms will just get worse. A great way to nip hypoglycemia in the bud is with a sport beverage like Gatorade. Gatorade has both sugar and electrolytes to give you a quick boost to your blood sugar. Liquids digest more quickly, so you can start feeling better within minutes. Then, you need to follow it immediately with food so you feel well all day.
Take Control of Your Health: Hypoglycemia Treatment
Friends, if you're tired of feeling lousy and getting nowhere with conventional treatments, it might be time to look at your blood sugar. It's a small thing that can make a big difference. And remember, when you start paying attention to the basics, like your diet and blood sugar, you can start feeling better and living the vibrant life you deserve. No need to suffer in silence when solutions might be simpler than you think!