Blood Sugar A Mess!

[rana]

Hello, I need help! After a year of intense symptoms (and several years of mild ones) I finally went to the doctor and for once the doctor actually knew what was wrong, that evil evil gluten. But my doctor couldn't help me much beyond the blood test... So I have been trying my best to be gluten free for about six months now and was feeling A LOT better for a while there, but now I seem to have hit a few more roadblocks. First of all I know gluten has probably been sneaking in here and there (I'm getting better as I go of course), so I think I need to do a serious detox diet and let my body completely heal, but I'm having trouble figuring out what to stay away from and what to not stay away from. Also, now I'm having trouble maintaining a normal blood sugar level. I am constantly crashing, spotty vision being my worst symptom, it seems like I have to eat every hour? There's a balance I can't seem to find, I am constantly going crazy, irritable, and that darn spotty vision is the worst. I live at high altitude, 9,600 feet, and wonder if this is amplifying my symptoms as I know we have to eat more carbs etc. to live up here. I can't stand feeling like this anymore.

Does anyone have this problem of maintaining a normal blood sugar level? Is it related to gluten intolerance? My body seems to be going completely haywire again (although not the intense gastro symptoms like before unless I 'got glutened'). I have tried to do my research online but sometimes have trouble really grasping it all (diabetic jargon, GI diets, I can't keep up)... I would sure appreciate any help or insight, I don't know what I would do without this site! If anyone can help me figure out what to stay away from and what I should eat while I'm trying to let my body heal, yet not set myself up to crash all day long, I will kiss their feet.

[skinnyminny]

I have a B.S. in nutrition and I am currently applying for internships to complete my journey to become a dietetian to share my experience with Celiac disease with those newly diagnosed.. While you are healing I would try to stay with naturally gluten free foods like fruit, vegtables, brown rice/ quinoa, and fresh meat/eggs/fish. These foods are easier on your GI tract than processed foods. Even though you can get replacement breads, cereals, bakery products, and cookies that are gluten free.. that does not always been it is healthy. In fact, Lots of gluten free replacement items are higher in carbs, fat, and sugar. Sticking to natural foods will help your body heal. Also try to stay away from eating out. Even places with gluten free menus can be a risk!

Reguarding your blood sugar issues. I too struggle with maintaining my blood sugar. I eat every 3-4 hours to prevent a drop. Each time I eat I make sure to have a balance of protein and carb.. like an apple with peanut butter.. a string cheese and grapes..greek yogurt.. are all examples of good snacks. In the morning, try to start incorporate protein. Lately I feel so much better if I have a spinach omlette than if I eat cereal. My blood sugar is stablized for longer. I wouldn't think you need more carbs.. a balance of carbs is good but an overload will bring your blood sugar up and then it will drop quicly, making you hungry again. Let me know if you have any other questions. I am no expert but I have experienced the blood sugar issues like you and each day I try to listen to my body more!

[rana]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help and insight... It really all comes down to having to really listen to your own body and I think those tips will definitely help me along the way. Sometimes I think being under additional stress kills my appetite and makes it hard for me to eat enough to sustain myself for very long, right now I seem to need to eat every 1.5 hours, which is a bit excessive. Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate it!!

[Takala]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help and insight... It really all comes down to having to really listen to your own body and I think those tips will definitely help me along the way. Sometimes I think being under additional stress kills my appetite and makes it hard for me to eat enough to sustain myself for very long, right now I seem to need to eat every 1.5 hours, which is a bit excessive. Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate it!!

____________

Are you eating "like a girl," in that you are not eating enough protein and good fat, but still on the typical American kick of high carbs ? Try eating more avocado, olive oil, coconut milk, nuts, eggs, organic butter if you can handle it. Fat is a slow burning burning fuel, that when combined with protein and then fiber, such as from beans or vegetables such as squash, will last you much longer.

[rana]

Thanks for the tip! I am definitely eating enough protein (I even drink soy protein shakes), but I do think I was on overloading on the carbs and sugar, then crashing later, just being a giant yo-yo mess... More fat I can handle, and will give that go as I see your point. Girly isn't my style and living at such altitude I don't have to really worry about gaining weight, seems like my body works twice as hard at everything up here. THANK YOU AGAIN

[RiceGuy]

Thanks for the tip! I am definitely eating enough protein (I even drink soy protein shakes), but I do think I was on overloading on the carbs and sugar, then crashing later, just being a giant yo-yo mess... More fat I can handle, and will give that go as I see your point. Girly isn't my style and living at such altitude I don't have to really worry about gaining weight, seems like my body works twice as hard at everything up here. THANK YOU AGAIN

In case you aren't already, you would probably benefit from using Stevia in place of sugar. Look for the pure powder without any other ingredients, and keep in mind that a teaspoon or less can replace an entire cup of sugar. So you'll use very very small amounts - sorta like the way you might add salt, spice, or other seasoning to your food. Give yourself some time to get used to it too. The taste isn't exactly the same as sugar, and the intense sweetness can make it tricky to judge how much to use at first, until you've gotten familiar with it.

About the soy protein drinks; Although soy can have some benefits, it can also lower thyroid function depending on the person, and the amount you consume. That can certainly make you feel fatigued, especially if consumed regularly. So if you find you need to supplement protein, it might be better to use a pea protein powder instead. Or, eat more easily digestible protein-rich foods, such as peas, beans, lentils, etc. AFAIK meats are not as easily digested, but we're all different, and you should stick with whatever works best for you.

[rana]

In case you aren't already, you would probably benefit from using Stevia in place of sugar. Look for the pure powder without any other ingredients, and keep in mind that a teaspoon or less can replace an entire cup of sugar. So you'll use very very small amounts - sorta like the way you might add salt, spice, or other seasoning to your food. Give yourself some time to get used to it too. The taste isn't exactly the same as sugar, and the intense sweetness can make it tricky to judge how much to use at first, until you've gotten familiar with it.

About the soy protein drinks; Although soy can have some benefits, it can also lower thyroid function depending on the person, and the amount you consume. That can certainly make you feel fatigued, especially if consumed regularly. So if you find you need to supplement protein, it might be better to use a pea protein powder instead. Or, eat more easily digestible protein-rich foods, such as peas, beans, lentils, etc. AFAIK meats are not as easily digested, but we're all different, and you should stick with whatever works best for you.

I've been wondering about the adverse affects of soy after reading a bit about it on this site and elsewhere- I think I will switch. Going to check out Stevia as well, I think sugar is one of my worst enemies right now (noticed my vision problems are actually at their worst immediately after consuming processed foods / sugar). Thanks for the insight, all this is much appreciated. Funny how modern living is literally making us sick.

[NaturalEdge]

I've been wondering about the adverse affects of soy after reading a bit about it on this site and elsewhere- I think I will switch. Going to check out Stevia as well, I think sugar is one of my worst enemies right now (noticed my vision problems are actually at their worst immediately after consuming processed foods / sugar). Thanks for the insight, all this is much appreciated. Funny how modern living is literally making us sick.

We have a lot of people coming to us with gluten and blood sugar level problems. Our Natural Edge Fructose Free Whey Protein has really helped these people get back on track, health wise. The Fructose Free is sweetened solely with Stevia. It's a great sweetener and has only the tiniest affect on blood sugar levels.

I hope that helps!