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Hypoglycemia And Gluten Free Anyone?

maelenebaby

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maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted

Id like to find out if there are other members who are hypoglycemic and gluten free as well? im finding it a struggle to eat every 1.5 hours and finding foods to eat while im limited.

what snacks or foods do you eat?

can you share meal plans?

are there members who eat rice and potatoes or doing low carb?

i feel overwhelmed and tired all the time any help i would appreciate!

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GFreeMO Proficient
GFreeMO
Posted

It's hard isn't it. I am hypoglycemic as well. The hardest for me is in the morning.

For snacks, I eat an insane amount of rice and corn chex. I make up a little trail mix with nestle milk choc. chips, the chex, marshmallows, raisins. I usually take a bag of that with me in my purse. Fruit is good or Jello or pudding, Lays Stax or popcorn or Mission Corn chips and Pace salsa. Cheese and an apple or cream cheese on a Mission corn tortilla.....etc...etc.

I always have something with me and if I need something else, I will stop and buy an orange juice.

It's very overwhelming at first but you will get the hang of it and it will become second nature

maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted
  • Author

It's hard isn't it. I am hypoglycemic as well. The hardest for me is in the morning.

For snacks, I eat an insane amount of rice and corn chex. I make up a little trail mix with nestle milk choc. chips, the chex, marshmallows, raisins. I usually take a bag of that with me in my purse. Fruit is good or Jello or pudding, Lays Stax or popcorn or Mission Corn chips and Pace salsa. Cheese and an apple or cream cheese on a Mission corn tortilla.....etc...etc.

I always have something with me and if I need something else, I will stop and buy an orange juice.

It's very overwhelming at first but you will get the hang of it and it will become second nature

Totally hard Im glad I found someone who can relate! Yes its hard for me too in the morning I have no appetite and have to force myself to eat. I also eat the rice chex, I get tired of eating plain rice and potatoes as my carb source how about u? Do you have to eat every 2 hours also?

GFreeMO Proficient
GFreeMO
Posted

Yes, plain rice and potatoes gets old! Cream of Rice cereal is gluten free. It's pretty good. I add brown sugar and raisins to mine. Rice chex is good with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on it and it makes the best marshmallow treats. I usually eat something every 3 hours. But in between that, I am always drinking something.

Judy3 Contributor
Judy3
Posted

I am in the same category. I've had hypoglycemia since I was 6 yrs old. It went the other way for a few years to Diabetes and the doctors think it was from my body fighting the Celiac. Now that I'm gluten free for almost 4 months, the hypoglycemia is back. Have to be careful when I exercise as my blood sugar drops into the 50's sometimes and I can hardly navigate. I eat every couple hours too. 5-6 small meals a day just to keep my sugars level. I found too that if I eat sweets or candy, it drops lower faster. Reactive hypoglycemia they call that. So I 'try' to not eat too much sugar but of course I'm only human and I eat it anyway... It's a pain in the xxx being hypo half the time. Do you get really sleepy and groggy after a low? If mine drops into the 50's I can hardly move the rest of the day.

Corn and Rice Chex with choc chips and peanuts is my bag o goodies to carry with me and an endless supply of glucose tablets. sigh

Fix one thing, bring on another... there is no rest for the wicked..!!! :)

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

One thing that may help is making sure you are getting some protein when you eat a carb or a sugary food. A nut butter, cheese if you tolerate it, nuts or meat of some kind. The carbs will raise your blood sugar fairly quickly but without a protein it will also crash it back down pretty quick.

twe0708 Community Regular
twe0708
Posted

I agree with the post before mine. As long as I have protein with my carbs I do fine. I always carry almond with me and it helps. I also have a tendency to over do it on sugar, but as soon as I eat some almonds it helps balance me out.

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tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I have to say, most of what's been posted here would make my blood sugar swing around like a roller coaster. Rice chex with sugar?! Ugh, I get a headache just reading that.

**Caveat - what I am posting below assumes reactive hypoglycemia as the topic, NOT diabetic hypoglycemia. While there is a lot of overlap, there are some significant differences.

Blood sugar goes up in response to carbs that are digested in the stomach/intestines and released into the blood stream, right? Well then:

* Very quickly digested carbs (sugars, simple starches) = Very quick rise in blood sugar

* More slowly digested carbs (complex carbs like beans, some whole grains) = Medium speed rise in blood sugar

* Fats, protein, fiber = Slow rise in blood sugar

* Larger quantities of either of these categories = larger total rise in blood sugar (obvious, I know)

Speed of the blood sugar rise (and, subsequent fall when insulin starts sequestering glucose in the cells) makes a difference in symptoms.

I would *highly* recommend balancing EACH AND EVERY meal with carbs, protein, fat, and fiber. Do this over a long period of time (days, weeks, months) and the body can gradually (sometimes) go longer and longer between eating, because you're balancing out your blood sugar levels. So, that may mean that rice chex is off the menu. These days, if the rest of my eating is good, I can sometimes get away with a bowl of rice kix, but I have to use coconut milk (for the fat) to help balance out its effect. (And it's before I teach a morning yoga class, where I'm about to use a good portion of that blood sugar increase anyway.)

Breakfast might still be toast (mmmm... Udi's!), but with generous amounts of peanut butter. Or a banana, but paired with an egg. Yesterday was fried rice (leftover rice, scrambled egg, frozen veggies) for me. Sometimes it's hot cereal - but millet grits (more protein/fiber than cream of rice) with flax meal (for more fat/fiber).

It takes some time thinking about how to balance ALL your meals, but the more balanced they are, the more space there is for *small* excursions out of balance.

maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted
  • Author

I am in the same category. I've had hypoglycemia since I was 6 yrs old. It went the other way for a few years to Diabetes and the doctors think it was from my body fighting the Celiac. Now that I'm gluten free for almost 4 months, the hypoglycemia is back. Have to be careful when I exercise as my blood sugar drops into the 50's sometimes and I can hardly navigate. I eat every couple hours too. 5-6 small meals a day just to keep my sugars level. I found too that if I eat sweets or candy, it drops lower faster. Reactive hypoglycemia they call that. So I 'try' to not eat too much sugar but of course I'm only human and I eat it anyway... It's a pain in the xxx being hypo half the time. Do you get really sleepy and groggy after a low? If mine drops into the 50's I can hardly move the rest of the day.

Corn and Rice Chex with choc chips and peanuts is my bag o goodies to carry with me and an endless supply of glucose tablets. sigh

Fix one thing, bring on another... there is no rest for the wicked..!!! :)

hi Jud3 yes I find I cant exercise either I get real shakey around the 70s. Im surprised you can let it drop that low I get real anxious If I did. Do you carry a meter? Glucose tabs are good but I think you need to eat a carb and protein afterwards. I do eat the rice chex thats pretty good for the morning it gets me by for an hour and a half. I talked to my dr today and she said with gluten we all have malabsorption and because of that it makes our blood sugar worse. She said once we heal, we will have better blood sugar control! that was awesome news to hear very promising what do you think?

maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted
  • Author

One thing that may help is making sure you are getting some protein when you eat a carb or a sugary food. A nut butter, cheese if you tolerate it, nuts or meat of some kind. The carbs will raise your blood sugar fairly quickly but without a protein it will also crash it back down pretty quick.

thank you ravenwoodglass, yes I eat a carb and protein at each meal but still find I have to eat every 1.5 hrs it sucks.

maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted
  • Author

I have to say, most of what's been posted here would make my blood sugar swing around like a roller coaster. Rice chex with sugar?! Ugh, I get a headache just reading that.

**Caveat - what I am posting below assumes reactive hypoglycemia as the topic, NOT diabetic hypoglycemia. While there is a lot of overlap, there are some significant differences.

Blood sugar goes up in response to carbs that are digested in the stomach/intestines and released into the blood stream, right? Well then:

* Very quickly digested carbs (sugars, simple starches) = Very quick rise in blood sugar

* More slowly digested carbs (complex carbs like beans, some whole grains) = Medium speed rise in blood sugar

* Fats, protein, fiber = Slow rise in blood sugar

* Larger quantities of either of these categories = larger total rise in blood sugar (obvious, I know)

Speed of the blood sugar rise (and, subsequent fall when insulin starts sequestering glucose in the cells) makes a difference in symptoms.

I would *highly* recommend balancing EACH AND EVERY meal with carbs, protein, fat, and fiber. Do this over a long period of time (days, weeks, months) and the body can gradually (sometimes) go longer and longer between eating, because you're balancing out your blood sugar levels. So, that may mean that rice chex is off the menu. These days, if the rest of my eating is good, I can sometimes get away with a bowl of rice kix, but I have to use coconut milk (for the fat) to help balance out its effect. (And it's before I teach a morning yoga class, where I'm about to use a good portion of that blood sugar increase anyway.)

Breakfast might still be toast (mmmm... Udi's!), but with generous amounts of peanut butter. Or a banana, but paired with an egg. Yesterday was fried rice (leftover rice, scrambled egg, frozen veggies) for me. Sometimes it's hot cereal - but millet grits (more protein/fiber than cream of rice) with flax meal (for more fat/fiber).

It takes some time thinking about how to balance ALL your meals, but the more balanced they are, the more space there is for *small* excursions out of balance.

Hi there ur post makes a lot of sense, So since I eat rice as my carb and meat, what should I add for my fat? I try to add avacados but they get expensive. Since I have rice chex for breakfast should I add coconut milk as well? I also make fried rice but cant have eggs what should I add for fats?

maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted
  • Author

Yes, plain rice and potatoes gets old! Cream of Rice cereal is gluten free. It's pretty good. I add brown sugar and raisins to mine. Rice chex is good with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on it and it makes the best marshmallow treats. I usually eat something every 3 hours. But in between that, I am always drinking something.

3 hours? thats awesome you are very blessed! that is my goal to go 3 hours without eating maybe in time...

Happyw5 Explorer
Happyw5
Posted

I don't know if I am hypoglycemic or not, however, if I don't eat the right foods I get super shaky and sick. My morning are the worst-I actually eat more then half of my calories for the whole day in the morning. I usually eat left over supper for breakfast, or I have udis toast with a can of white meat chicken and cheese. Then about 30 minutes later I have to eat something again so I don't get shaky. By afternoon and night I am fine to not eat much at all. Is this what hypoglycemia is like?

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

I don't know if I am hypoglycemic or not, however, if I don't eat the right foods I get super shaky and sick. My morning are the worst-I actually eat more then half of my calories for the whole day in the morning. I usually eat left over supper for breakfast, or I have udis toast with a can of white meat chicken and cheese. Then about 30 minutes later I have to eat something again so I don't get shaky. By afternoon and night I am fine to not eat much at all. Is this what hypoglycemia is like?

You really should go in and get tested and not just accept this and hope it will go away as you heal. If you get tested and find out you will have the info. and tools to better manage it and feel better. It may go away as you heal but better to know so you can better manage it 'till then.

Happyw5 Explorer
Happyw5
Posted

I don't know if I am hypoglycemic or not, however, if I don't eat the right foods I get super shaky and sick. My morning are the worst-I actually eat more then half of my calories for the whole day in the morning. I usually eat left over supper for breakfast, or I have udis toast with a can of white meat chicken and cheese. Then about 30 minutes later I have to eat something again so I don't get shaky. By afternoon and night I am fine to not eat much at all. Is this what hypoglycemia is like?

Thanks, I know I should get it checked. But doctors think I am crazy at this point so I think I will hold off. They just put me on anxiety medicine-they think I am over stressed and my symptoms aren't "real"

maelenebaby Newbie
maelenebaby
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, I know I should get it checked. But doctors think I am crazy at this point so I think I will hold off. They just put me on anxiety medicine-they think I am over stressed and my symptoms aren't "real"

hey there i never got tested i went to an herbalist and she told me i had it. U dont have to go through that terrible fasting test to find out. u can just get a meter and randomly test when you feel shaky and if its below 70 then you are hypo. thats how i know i am. trust me i used to get anxiety real bad and they tried to put me on antidepressants. im glad i found out what was causing it. dont give up just eat when u feel anxious and youll be fine=)

bolddog Newbie
bolddog
Posted

I find a low GI / GL diet helps greatly in avoiding hypos.

Things like Beans, Lentils, plain organic yoghurt and, of course, protein ( no I'm not a veggie :D )

With rice, potatoes and such I'll be a trembling wreck within a couple of hours without followup food

There are lots of sites around listing GI / GL for foods for example

Open Original Shared Link

Stellar003 Newbie
Stellar003
Posted

Pre-diagnosis I was not hypoglycemic, but I've found that now that I am gluten free...I get shaky in the morning if I don't instantly eat. So, I have to eat some protein quickly and then eat way more regularly than i used to. It's no fun, but that is how my nutritionist said to eat anyway. I live on rice cakes and almond butter. Also Lara bars are always in my purse. It sounds like i need to be tested again for blood sugar issues also....

  • 2 weeks later...
Evangeline Explorer
Evangeline
Posted

Thanks, I know I should get it checked. But doctors think I am crazy at this point so I think I will hold off. They just put me on anxiety medicine-they think I am over stressed and my symptoms aren't "real"

For those who are hypoglycemic, I would remove corn and soy from the diet entirely. Remember that corn is in EVERYTHING processed and has over 1000 different names. Type in "Corn allergy" to Google and see the list of different names/products. Many, many Celiacs are corn and soy intolerant and don't even know it. Many are also coffee intolerant. Try this type of diet and see if the hypoglycemia goes away.

  • 3 weeks later...
majones Newbie
majones
Posted

Oh my goodness... you don't know how happy I am to find this. I've been so incredibly tired lately... I can barely get through school then come home and nap before work. I eat about five times a day as it is, with protein at every interval, but still I find myself dizzy, tired and completely worn out.

I went to the doctor the other day and she told me I am hypoglycemic. GREAT. I eat so much already, a good balance of fruits, vegetables, protein and good carbs, how am I suppose to eat more?!

It's good to see I'm not alone.

  • 1 year later...
jacobw Newbie
jacobw
Posted

Does anyone get leg pains with either their celiac/wheat allergy and/or hypoglycemia?

  • 4 weeks later...
Em314 Explorer
Em314
Posted

I have similar issues as well and am in the same boat of having to figure out new "emergency foods." I'm doing the chex thing too (guess we all have the same thought process, lol!), and have also been using candy I know if gluten-free (M&Ms and Starburst)- which isn't ideal but works as a quick rescue, though long-term I suspect it perpetuates the problem. Have also over the years taken to chewing gum (somewhat compulsively) but I may have to switch brands (I'm researching that.) Only suggestion I've not seen yet is dried fruit. Little boxes of raisins are (for example) relatively cheap and portable.

I've in general found keeping a balanced diet helps (durrr) and also have found that knowing when I'm likely to get low blood sugar and eating prophylactically helps. ex. I know I will crash if I don't eat within an hour or two of exercising. As I exercise in the morning, this means I essentially have to have two breakfasts (I either eat again early at work, or if I'm heading out socially have something before going out the door.)

I've been very much hoping that the celiac is at least partly responsible for this and am hoping like heck it gets better or goes away completely, because it's really kind of ridiculous to have to eat this often. I get that small frequent meals are "supposed" to be healthier, but I don't think they're supposed to be medically necessary. :/

Darkfire Ann Newbie
Darkfire Ann
Posted

I was dxed with this long before Celiac. Apparently MANY Celiac patients have this issue with blood sugar. I was also told alcohol makes it worse. I was a social drinker at the time. No more. I do not do much sugar and the only real starch I can eat is potatoes but I do not get sick of them ever. It used to make my SO's so sad/upset/scared. I would be starving then get so foggy I couldn't explain what I wanted to eat then I wouldn't be hungry anymore and almost faint. It is scary sometimes. I seem to be more stable these days.

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