Nicola Ford Dip (Nutri)
The Nutrition Clinic
01223 561123
e-mail nicola@vine-ford.fsnet.co.uk

Hypoglycaemia, also commonly known as ‘low blood sugar’ occurs when the sugar level in your blood falls below your body’s ideal level. This happens when the Pancreas secretes the hormone insulin after you have eaten a meal that contains carbohydrate in either its simple form or complex form. However, in some people their blood sugar level rises too quickly after eating and this results in too much insulin being pushed into the bloodstream in an attempt to lower the blood sugar. If excessive amounts of insulin are produced this brings the blood sugar level too low resulting in Hypoglycaemia. This symptoms associated with low blood sugar are, tiredness, confusion, dizziness, headaches, mood swings, muscle weakness, shaking and craving for stimulants, such as coffee, chocolate or cigarettes. Treating and managing Hypoglycaemia is possible, but requires a great deal of motivation and commitment because more often than not it means a big change in eating habits. The aim is to keep your blood sugar level as steady as possible which will prevent the sudden highs and lows and the symptoms that accompany them. However, you should check with your doctor first to rule out any other underlying causes.

Firstly it is essential to adopt a regular pattern of eating, the worst thing you can do is skip a meal, because not only will this lower your blood sugar level you will also find yourself eating high sugar foods as your body attempts to increase your blood sugar level.

Obviously fruit and Vegetables feature high on any list of healthy eating, but other good foods to eat are complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice and brown bread. Protein foods are excellent too, baked fish or chicken, nuts and seeds and cheese, a small amount of fat and plenty of fluids, either water or herb teas.

Try to get into the habit of reading food labels. You will be amazed at the amount of food that has added sugar. Tomato Soup for example has almost three teaspoons of sugar, look on the label for the Carbohydrates heading and see how much of the carbohydrate is made up of sugar, if the content is high, avoid it.

Sometimes you may miss a meal so you should always be prepared and have a snack with you. Oatmeal biscuits, apples, nuts and seeds, raw vegetables, such as carrot sticks are all good choices because they will keep your blood sugar level steady until you can have a proper meal.

Stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola, hot chocolate and cigarettes all compromise your ability to control your blood sugar level, and as these are consumed at more regular intervals throughout the day, your body will constantly be battling with the highs and lows in blood sugar level leaving you permanently drained.

Therefore, the only way to break the vicious cycle of blood sugar highs and lows is to avoid all types of sugar and stimulants. Once your body has had time to heal you may be able to tolerate the occasional bar of chocolate. However listen to your body and if you respond with headaches, or any other symptoms of low blood sugar you are best to avoid all forms of sugar for a while longer before testing your symptoms again.