A special diet is recommended for treating reactive hypoglycemia, with restrictions on cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, starch, alcohol, and caffeine. The diet can be either high in protein or high in complex carbohydrates, but both require a higher intake of healthy fats. Eating small, frequent meals is also important.
Reactive hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar after a meal, is best treated with a special diet. While there is some debate as to whether a high carbohydrate or high protein diet is best, restriction of cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, starch, alcohol, and caffeine are standard in a reactive hypoglycemia diet. This diet also relies on a slightly higher-than-average intake of healthy fats, which helps balance glucose levels.
The most common reactive hypoglycemia diet involves limiting or completely excluding simple carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, and cereal from the diet. Complex carbohydrates, primarily whole grains, are restricted to 130 grams to 200 grams per day, depending on the severity of reactive hypoglycemia. Instead of these carbohydrates, the rest of the patient’s caloric needs are derived from protein and healthy fats such as those found in nuts, avocados, eggs, and fish.
Conversely, a reactive hypoglycemia diet can also be largely based on consuming a higher than usual amount of complex carbohydrates. Proponents of this diet believe that complex carbohydrates help regulate the glucose system more effectively, and the absence of these carbohydrates can actually make the body more susceptible to glucose. With this diet it is also important to eat plenty of high-fiber foods such as peas, lentils, broccoli, artichokes, and raspberries.
Whether a doctor prescribes a low-carb or a high-carb diet, eating large amounts of vegetables is one of the most important parts of an effective reactive hypoglycemia diet. It’s also important to limit or avoid caffeine, as caffeine has the same effect on blood sugar as reactive hypoglycemia, doubling the incidence of symptoms such as tremors, sweating, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and dizziness. Alcohol should also be avoided due to its high calorie count, as consuming these calories instead of healthy calories can increase the likelihood of seizures.
Perhaps the most important aspect of a reactive hypoglycemia diet is not the food itself, but the amount and timing of meals. Most doctors recommend that meals be small and frequent, usually five or six times a day. Reactive hypoglycemia usually occurs one to three hours after a meal, so doctors recommend that people with this disorder eat every two to three hours to avoid attacks. Although this diet can be strict, it is the most effective means of controlling low blood sugar.
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