I have hypoglycemia.
I have to eat very clean (only low glycemic foods) or I get penalized (dizzy, seeing black spots, etc…).
I have to eat cottage cheese plain (no fruit or I get penalized).
Does anyone have any comments?
I don’t get it as bad as you, but if I don’t eat every 3-4 hours, I start to tremble, sweat, feel nauseous, have no energy, and snap at people… all signs of having too low of blood-sugar. I have done some reading on it, but since I’m a body builder and I eat every 3-4 hours religiously, I haven’t pursued it. But, I would love some input as well.
As far as sugary foods go, I’m okay with eating a little crap (hard candy, chocolate, etc.) as long as it’s AFTER a substantial meal. On an empty stomach, I will get those side-effects explained above only an hour or two after eating it. If I eat that shit more than once a day, I will feel lethargic and “out of it” the next day. So, you’re dead-on - eating CLEAN is the name of game!
Interestingly though, eating regular ice cream (not low fat) is just like eating a normal meal for me - no blood-sugar dips. I think this is for several reasons - the high fat content, calcium, and protein allows slower GI emptying.
The worst though is if I ate too little for dinner/snack the night before, I’ll wake up with a huge headache until I get some carbs in, proteins and/or fats won’t curb it alone. Or, if I have to eat a later breakfast for what ever reason, again I feel like absolute rubbish with a blinding headache! Very similar symptoms to having a migraine.
Anyone else share our pain with this???
Experts - is this because our insulin over-reacts and/or our glucagon is under-reacting??? Thanks!
TS
I’ve done some research as I have had trouble with hypoglycemia as well.
Things that have dramatically improved it are:
A zone diet 30:30:40. The fat and protein helps slow digestion and consequently helps keep blood sugar stable.
Magnesium supplementation helped enormously for me. I suggest taking ZMA or a good magnesium product on an empty stomach every day.
Watching your potassium to sodium ratio. Foods high in potassium can lower blood sugar. That’s why eating fruit tends to bother you, cause of it’s high potassium content in general. Especially bananas, and citrus. Conversely consuming sodium will help raise blood sugar. It’s nothing dramatic, but will help some. So don’t worry too much about salting your food.
Stay away from coffee. Coffee reeks havack on my blood sugar, but for some reason caffiene pills don’t as much. Perhaps there’s something else in coffee that contributes to this. However the caffiene pills contribute somewhat to lowering blood sugar so this may not be the most viable option either.
[quote]Bri Hildebrandt wrote:
Stay away from coffee. Coffee reeks havack on my blood sugar, but for some reason caffiene pills don’t as much. Perhaps there’s something else in coffee that contributes to this. However the caffiene pills contribute somewhat to lowering blood sugar so this may not be the most viable option either.[/quote]
Bri-
If you don’t mind, could you reference where you read about the magnesium, sodium, and potassium blood sugar interactions? Also, with the coffee thing, is this a personal experience - or, do you know for a fact that coffee has been shown to affect blood sugar (good/bad)??? I for one LOVE, LOVE coffee! But, according to you even going decaf wouldn’t help, since you are implying that their “might” be something in the grounds besides caffeine that is contributing to a blood sugar interaction?! Interesting to say the least - please get back to me with where you researched all this, THANKS!!!
As far as the zone diet goes, I have noticed that eating fats and proteins with each meal make a huge difference on insulin peaks and valleys - I totally agree there. I can’t tolerate the the P+F and P+C meals that are very popular on T-Nation.
Speaking of hypoglycemia - I have had a really bad headache, almost migraine - for about 24hours now. I usually get them from not eating enough carbs and/or not hydrating enough. But, both I have done well lately… so, I wonder if that potassium thing is causing this? I have eaten a lot of spinach lately and mixed frozen berries, both of which have decent potassium, but I didn’t think they are known for that mineral… who knows…
TS
[quote]TopSirloin wrote:
Bri-
If you don’t mind, could you reference where you read about the magnesium, sodium, and potassium blood sugar interactions? Also, with the coffee thing, is this a personal experience - or, do you know for a fact that coffee has been shown to affect blood sugar (good/bad)??? I for one LOVE, LOVE coffee! But, according to you even going decaf wouldn’t help, since you are implying that their “might” be something in the grounds besides caffeine that is contributing to a blood sugar interaction?! Interesting to say the least - please get back to me with where you researched all this, THANKS!!!
As far as the zone diet goes, I have noticed that eating fats and proteins with each meal make a huge difference on insulin peaks and valleys - I totally agree there. I can’t tolerate the the P+F and P+C meals that are very popular on T-Nation.
Speaking of hypoglycemia - I have had a really bad headache, almost migraine - for about 24hours now. I usually get them from not eating enough carbs and/or not hydrating enough. But, both I have done well lately… so, I wonder if that potassium thing is causing this? I have eaten a lot of spinach lately and mixed frozen berries, both of which have decent potassium, but I didn’t think they are known for that mineral… who knows…
TS[/quote]
Hmmmmm… with regards to referencing it may be tough but I’ll do my best. Nothing here was taken from peer reviewed journals directly as I recall but mostly from exhaustive reading of nutrition books and doing google searches.
The idea behind sodium/potassium affecting blood sugar was mainly from the book “The Metabolic Diet” I think it was called. The author’s last name was Wilcott if my memory serves me correct.
The magnesium idea was from “The Protein Power Lifeplan” by Dr. Eades I believe. I think I had read the effects of calcium/magnesium ratios in a number of other places as well. Nothing comes to mind though.
Coffee, “The metabolic Diet” again, as well as other sources I’m sure. I’m not sure about the decaf thing. I was mostly going from personal experience on that one.
I feel your pain. I love coffee as well, but had to give it up. 
Although if you’re not hypoglycemic it may not be an issue. I can’t say even if you are hypoglycemic that it will be an issue. I mostly know how it effects me.
Regarding caffiene/coffee affecting blood sugar, I know there’s been a number of articles on T-Nation that has talked about it. Mostly in terms of insulin resistance I believe.
Regarding references in general, I didn’t research the information with the intent on showing it later so I didn’t keep an accurate account. I have manipulated my diet with regards to so many variables that I think the amount of information would be horrendous. The information I gathered was mostly from reading any nutrition book I could find, and doing countless google searches on topics that interested me, in addition to reading info here and a number of other websites. I’ve done a lot of experimentation, and trial and error over the years. It can all get a little confusing over time.
I can’t tolerate the P+C and P+F combinations either. One P+F meal and I feel like garbage for the next few hours. I seem to need a steady supply of carbs thoughout the day to keep me on track.
I really appreciate the feedback, Bri.
I see your point - a lot of what I teach my clients are things that I have put together over 8 years of research. I couldn’t put my finger exactly on any one source, except for some T-Nation advice. We just get “steered” a certain way after a while because we find research the compliments other research and then a general concensus is reached - at least on the basics. I will do some digging myself on those topics, thanks for getting the ball rolling for me!
It’s been amazing to be able to interact with this site. I mean, who would have thought there would be a place where anyone could discuss ALL aspects of life with thousands of everyday folks and dozens of experts.
Take care… I’m sure we’ll talk again somewhere on this board.
TS