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Do you know what to eat when you experience these 3 symptoms of low blood sugar?

Often under-emphasized amidst all the warnings about high blood sugar and the damage it can cause our bodies is the fact that having low blood sugar is just as dangerous (maybe even more so).

Here’s a story that is all too common: A woman we know is a wedding planner, and has what we lovingly refer to as a “sweet tooth.” She’s diabetic but not yet on medication. She lives on the edge, relying on Danishes or bagels to get through the day during the busy wedding season.

One particular day was crazier than ever, so she hadn’t eaten since her morning bagel and coffee. About to rush from the caterer’s meeting to get to the florist on time, she complained about feeling dizzy and weak. Acknowledging that she hadn’t eaten all day, she made time to get something to eat.

When she recounted the episode to her doctor at a later date, she was told that in all likelihood the incident was caused by low blood sugar. She had no idea that, as a diabetic, her blood sugar level dropping low could be an issue.

Most common in people with diabetes, hypoglycemia (when your blood sugar gets too low—below 70 milligrams/dl) can lead to loss of consciousness and life-threatening complications if not treated quickly. This occurs when the blood glucose level decreases so drastically that your body can’t function normally. And although less common, people without diabetes can show symptoms of low blood sugar levels as well.

To understand what physically happens, it helps to be familiar with how our body uses glucose. So here’s how it works in a nutshell….

Our main source of energy is glucose, which comes from carbohydrates that we eat. When blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases the hormone insulin, which helps our cells use glucose for energy. Sometimes, if we miss a meal or have too much insulin, our blood sugar gets too low, and then the pancreas releases a hormone called glucagon, which signals the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. When everything works as it should, your body uses the two hormones to keep you blood sugar levels in balance.

Although we know that our blood sugar level shouldn’t be too high, we have to be careful that it doesn’t go too low, either—whether we have diabetes or not.

3 signs of low blood sugar:

1. Dizziness or lightheadedness. It’s a scary and disconcerting experience—feeling out of control and off balance, as if everything is spinning around you; or feeling faint—as if you’re going to pass out. If you’re standing, sit or lie down immediately.
2. Sweating. This occurs on the upper part of your body without warning, particularly at night, so much so that it interferes with your sleep. You’ll wake up suddenly, drenched in sweat with your pajamas and sheets damp, even though your environment isn’t hot. This sleep disturbance leaves you feeling tired the next day.
3. Blurred vision. You may experience double vision if your blood sugar is low. What’s happening is that your brain needs glucose to function so when there’s a drop in blood sugar it’s unable to coordinate vision.

What to eat in response to low blood sugar symptoms

The consequences of sustained low blood sugar are life-threatening if not treated immediately. That being said, it’s vital to know what to eat to get rid of the symptoms and raise your low blood sugar fast.

You’ll need 15–20 grams of glucose or simple carbohydrates to accomplish this. So here are your options:

• • 1 banana with 1 Tbsp raw nut butter (like almond or walnut butter
• • A handful of raisins along with a handful of raw nuts (almonds, walnuts, or Brazil nuts)
• • 1 apple with 1 tsp of raw honey and 1 Tbsp raw almond butter

Prevention is key

Being dependent on medication all while managing your blood sugar can be challenging. So what’s the alternative?

Well, you’ve probably heard the saying “prevention is better than cure.” With a little vigilance, it’s easier to prevent hypoglycemia than to treat it—with prevention being the implementation of a program that helps you stabilize your blood sugar. Still, this is not to say you should ditch your medication (if you’re currently on it) until you are cleared from your doctor to do so.

Beyond Blood Sugar provides such a program—the natural way. It’s a plan for healthy eating, using the right combination of foods to help you to maintain and control your blood sugar.

It’s a medication-free program that promotes glucose health by following meal plans that are tailored to your specific needs. And it’s not a starvation diet, so you won’t feel deprived. Best of all, it promises to make you feel and see positive results.

»Click here to take control of your blood sugar, today.