[Becky]

Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. The pancreas releases insulin too efficiently and too much so you eat and then too much insulin is released so your blood sugar plummets. It is even more pronounced when you eat sugary foods or pasta/rice dishes that don't contain protein or fat (like a bowl of spaghetti with just tomato sauce - cuz its almost like a sugary treat once it is in the body). You get tired/very sleepy and irritable.

The "diet" is really a lifestyle change. Whole grains, protein, watching the sweets, good fats (like nuts and the right oils). It is so that you slow the digestion and have a constant slow stream of glucose (from the food) entering your bloodstream to avoid sugar spikes and extreme releases of insulin.

My husband has "it" but they have not been able to medically diagnose him as his 6 hr glucose tolerance tests don't come out that wrong. But he follows the diet and when he does, he doesn't "pass out" from fatigue. Even a lifesaver candy can throw him off. If he eats fruit, it has to be at night right before bed as he'll go out from that. He eats whole grain cereals (Uncle Sam's, All Bran Extra Fiber, Shredded Wheat or Cheerios) - all no sugar grams with almonds or walnuts on top. He uses 2% milk on this as he needs the fat. Sometimes he'll have a hard boiled egg too. He has salad for lunch with beans. He'll put cheese on (cuz he can afford the calories) but no crackers or bread. He can sometimes tolerate a wrap.

Dinner is pretty standard meat, salad, veggies and we do have rice or something. But he is CAREFUL with the sweets and snacks alot on raw almonds, celery dipped in hummus etc.

Do be careful to have your doctor keep an eye on you as you can change from being hypoglycemic to hyperglycemic (also know as diabetes). Your pancreas can get "overworked" and then shut down.

If you have any other questions, ask away. If I don't know, I'll ask my hub.