Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, happens when blood sugar drops below the normal level. Glucose, a significant energy source for the body, derives from food. The main dietary source of glucose is carbohydrates, which you can find in rice, bread, potatoes, tortillas, milk, cereal, sweets, and fruit.
Hypoglycemia can occur suddenly. It’s usually mild and could be healed quickly and easily by consuming a small amount of some glucose-rich food. However, if left untreated, low blood sugar can get worse and cause fainting, confusion, or clumsiness. Severe low blood sugar may lead to seizures, coma, and death.
In children (that are older than ten years) and adults, low blood sugar is rare except as a side effect of diabetes treatment. Low blood sugar can also result, however, from other medicines or illnesses, enzyme or hormone deficiencies, or even tumors.
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia causes certain symptoms as:
- Sweating
- Shakiness
- Hunger
- Nervousness
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Dizziness, light-headedness
- Difficulty speaking
This condition can also occur during sleep. Signs of hypoglycemia during sleep can include:
- Having nightmares;
- Finding sleepwear or sheets damp from sweat, and/or
- Feeling irritable, tired, or confused after waking up.
Best Natural Foods for Treating Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Generally, if you have mild low blood sugar symptoms it would be helpful if you just take 1 teaspoon of sugar. On the other hand, downhill inconsistent blood glucose levels don’t require consuming more sugar. Quite the opposite, all home remedies and dietary recommendations for controlling low blood sugar don’t increase the sugar levels but are soothing the sugar levels, so that the body have a persistent source of energy through the day.
- Apple
Apples are rich in magnesium and chromium, which can regulate blood sugar levels. Therefore, they are an excellent food for treating hypoglycemia.
- Eat 2 apples every day to regulate your blood sugar levels.
- Molasses
It is a really useful natural remedy for treating hypoglycemia.
- Use a molasses extract to provide the needed dose of glucose during exertion.
- Take 1 teaspoon of molasses and put it into a glass of lukewarm water. Drink this 3 times a day.
- Licorice root
Licorice aids increase blood sugar levels in the body. It also relieves stress associated with hypoglycemia.
- Consume 2-3 cups of licorice root every day. Just cut the root into small pieces and put in boiling water. Boil it for about 5 minutes. Then remove it from the head and leave it to stay for additional 10 minutes (covered). In the end, strain and drink.
- Dandelion root
Dandelion root is a great source of calcium that aids in proper functioning of liver and pancreas, which helps to regulate the blood sugar levels.
- Consume dandelion root tea 2-3 times a day. Just add 1 dandelion root tea bag/ or a few dried dandelion root leaves into a cup of boiled water and leave it to stay for 5-10 minutes before drinking.
- Wild yam
It is an incredible natural remedy when it comes to hypoglycemia. It can control the levels of insulin in the body and increase the sugar level in the blood.
- Just place some dried yam leaves into a boiled water. Cover it and leave it for about 1 hour. After that, you are ready to drink. Consume this tea 2-3 times a day.
- Barley
Barley is one of the best foods for people who have type 2 diabetes or hypoglycemia. It is an abundant source of essential vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fibers. As a great source of beta-glycan and magnesium, barley can help you control glucose absorption in the blood.
- Bring a cup of barley and 2 and a half cups of water (or broth) to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover it. Cook until tender, and the fluid has been absorbed. It will take you 40 – 50 minutes to cook barley. From this dose, you will make 3 to 3 and a half cups of cooked barley.
- Parsley
Parsley can improve the pancreas and liver functions, making it an excellent remedy for treating hypoglycemia.
- Prepare a parsley tea, by putting a few leaves of fresh or dried parsley and leave it for 5-10 minute before drinking. Consume this 2-3 times per day.
- Alternatively, you can add a few drops of parsley oil (or extract) into a glass of warm water and drink it twice a day.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a potent antioxidant that can improve the pancreas and liver functions.
- Consume tomato juice 2-3 times a day, for 2 weeks, to alleviate pancreatic disorders that usually cause hypoglycemia.
- Eat organic fresh tomatoes regularly.
- Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain great micronutrients, such as magnesium, manganese, and iron. They can regulate the function of your kidney and control the blood sugar levels.
- Powder some pumpkin seeds and add them into a glass of warm milk or water. Consume every day for treating hypoglycemia.
- Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are an amazing source of polyphenols (as caffeine, chlorogenic and quinic acid) that aid remove destructive oxidants from the pancreas and liver. In general, chlorogenic acid stimulates glycogen synthesis in the liver and is really beneficial in controlling sugar levels in the blood.
- You can consume sunflower seeds in a raw or powdered form. Add 1 teaspoon of powdered sunflower seeds into a glass of lukewarm water and drink it twice a day, and use sunflower seeds as an addition to salads, bread, fish, etc.
Balanced Diet for People with Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
A well-balanced diet is an ideal for people who have low blood sugar. This diet should include more organic fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, raw seeds and nuts, and cooked whole grains.
A balanced diet for people with low blood sugar should include:
- Dairy products (for proteins)
- Meat (for magnesium)
- Fresh Fruits and vegetables (for antioxidants and fiber)
- Whole grains, bread (for dietary fiber and carbohydrates)
- Magnesium rich foods (for optimal blood sugar levels in the body, a recommended daily dose of magnesium for adults is 340 mg). You can take magnesium as a supplement or eat more bananas, barley, oat bran, milk, broccoli, soybean, sweet potato, brazil nuts, potatoes, almonds, cashew, dry figs, artichoke, halibut tuna, oat bran, barley, prune juice, and spinach)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) rich foods (a daily dosage of 150 – 250 mg of B3 can improve carbohydrate tolerance in diabetics). You can take niacin as a supplement or eat more tuna, halibut, crimini mushrooms, asparagus, salmon, chicken breast and venison.
- Chromium rich foods (for optimal blood sugar levels in the body, a recommended daily dose of chromium for adults is 201 mcg). You can take chromium as a supplement or eat more potatoes, oysters, peas, whole wheat bread, brewer’s yeast, shredded wheat breakfast cereals, wheat germ and rye bread.
- Protein rich foods – consume a handful of nuts, seeds, cheese handy or roasted soybeans every day to fill your daily protein intake. Fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines are also an incredible source of proteins.
- Dietary fibers rich foods (a daily dosage of dietary fiber for a person with hypoglycemia is 24-41 g). You can take supplements or eat more oat bran, ground flax seeds, wholemeal cereals, and psyllium.
- Other Vitamins – vitamins like B-complex, C, and E help control blood sugar levels in the body. The recommended daily doses are Vitamin B (50 mg), Vitamin C (2000 to 5000 mg), and Vitamin E (1600 IU).
How to Prevent Oscillations in Blood Sugar Levels?
You should consume small snacks, 1 in every 2 hours, in order to prevent fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Choose snacks that are rich in dietary fibers (2-3 g), proteins (3-8 g) and carbohydrates (20-30 g).
Note: Take the snack early – do not wait to lose energy or feel some symptoms of hypoglycemia. In case you exercise, eat snacks even more often.
Foods to Avoid
The most important thing in the case of hypoglycemia is to avoid foods that contain concentrated sugar. You should eliminate these foods completely.
In case, you have an urge to take sugar, eat some sugar-free desserts, sweet fruits, or consume vegetable juice. Other foods that you should avoid are:
- Processed and refined foods
- Carbonated drinks
- Canned foods
- Foods high on salt
- Alcohol and caffeinated foods.
Other Tips for People with Hypoglycemia
- Drink plenty of water
- Take meals at fixed time
- Take small and regular meals
- Physical activity (walking, jogging, yoga, meditation or tai chi can be a good choice)
- Relaxation activities (you can read some book, listen to your favorite music, or spend time with your family or friends in nature)
- Sufficient night sleep(at least 8 hours)
Conclusion:
Symptoms of low blood sugar are very similar to diabetes-related hypoglycemia. If you have some of the above-mentioned symptoms you need to see your doctor. In order to find the cause of hypoglycemia, your doctor may use laboratory tests to measure insulin, blood glucose, and some other chemicals that play an important part in the body’s use of energy. These natural foods and a well-balanced diet can help you treat low blood sugar. You must avoid food that contains concentrated sugar. Your doctor can give you a personalized meal planning tips. Even though some health professionals recommend a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein, researchers have NOT proven the effectiveness of this diet to treat low blood sugar.
Reference:Niddk.nih.gov