Hypoglycemia

[VooDoo Lady]

A girlfriend of mine has asked me to put together a diet and exercise program for her. I started to lay out the basics of a clean diet and she immediately balked saying she needs sugar because she is borderline hypoglycemic.

Can someone what I need to do differently for her diet?

Thanks,
VDL

 

[Temple]

VDL - I was never truly hypoglycemic but my blood sugar would bottom out regularly and I thought I needed sugar too. The fact of the matter was that sugar was the problem. Once I gave the stuff up (and I mean completely), started eating low GI carbs on a regular basis, got my training program in order, drank my water I now have stable blood sugar. I did a sugar binge last Saturday and Sunday I felt like I had gone out and drank a twelve pack and a fifth. I think folks really underestimate how ugly that stuff really is. Get some feedback from some others on the board as like I said I was never diagnosed hypoglycemic.

 

[Gladiola]

I'm the same way as Temple, a sugar binge leaves me feeling hungover & beaten up!

If the issue is keeping her blood sugar steady [so it doesn't crash], that's the whole concept behind the Glycemic Index!

You can probably get the book "The Glucose Revolution" out of your local library (I did) to show her.

If her blood sugar DOES crash & she needs to refuel, she can always have something hi GI like raisins, which will bring her back up the way sugar would, & nourish her better!

Get the book & then she'll believe it

 

[MS]

The last thing a hypoglycemic needs in their diet is sugar. They need fats, proteins and low GI carbs. Also, most people who think they are hypoglycemic have never actually had it medically tested and are self diagnosed (and are wrong!). Ask if she's had a glucose challenge that shows her blood sugar bottoming out. Even if she has had a positive diagnostic test for hypo, you can then point at it and say "see, that's exactly why your SHOULDN'T eat sugar".

 

[Ceebs]

Besides what others have posted in this thread, working out in itself will help her hypoglycemia by improving insulin sensitivity. Being sedentary and eating lots of sugar because one thinks one "needs" it is just exacerbating a vicious cycle.

 

[Rocket]

I am hypoglycemic and as long as I eat (I Eat Clean) every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours I have No problems. the key is to keep a srady stream of enegy (food) to the body!

Rocket

Check out this board!
http://66.96.252.220/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi

 

[Hannibal]

The last thing a hypoglycemic needs in their diet is sugar.

EX....ACT....LY!!!

 

[Train Harder]

I havd problems with hypoglycemia and ever since my diet was cleaned up it's a thing of the past. I stick to carbs like oatmeal, brown and wild rice, I'm sure there are others you could use for variety but I like things simple and repetitive as far as food goes. If you want to drop her carbs to aid in her weightloss goals then slowly lower them until she gets signs of low blood sugar then raise them a little. Trial and error.

 

[Gladiola]

Hey, what's the status? Is this a certain brunette who was at the party on Saturday?

I agree with Train Harder to make gradual adjustments. As she increases intake of protein she may end up with some unpleasant, although not harmful side-effects (I'll guess she's like most other young women & eats lots of carbs - fruits, veggies, sweets & 'low fat' junk). As I've always posted with regards to beginners, best to make slow changes that she can live with than to ask her to go from how she's eating now, to how you eat (a HUGE change), & she can't deal with it - tosses up her hands & gives up healthy eating altogether.

 

[VooDoo Lady]

Hey, what's the status? Is this a certain brunette who was at the party on Saturday?

yes..

I KNOW I am wasting my breath, but she has asked the questions and asked for help and all I can do is be a good friend and try to be supportive

doubt it'll sink thru though

 

[Gladiola]

I KNOW I am wasting my breath

What does she say when you mention balancing blood sugar levels with low-GI foods, hi-fiber healthy foods, etc.????

I'm SOO accostomed to talking to the average person who wants the pants size to go down but doesn't want to do any work to achieve that. (They're also often the same jerks who look for ANY excuse to not exercise & sometimes place the blame for their laziness on the Group Exercise Instructor GRRR)

I'm curious - fill me in! I usually only have so much patience for ppl. If ppl ask my advice, I eventually expect them to either
1. Take it & TRY their hardest to follow it
2. Disagree with me & with good reason (maybe they just don't LIKE lifting, OK, fine)
3. ADMIT that they simply can't [WON'T] actually DO IT! (in which case, don't ask me for advice about it again)
4. Stop talking to me about it if you won't chose one of the above! (I don't need to be a sounding board for whining, have to listen to that enough from my co-workers & boyfriend - oh, and those damn gym members - GRR)
Maybe we outta move this to PM's.