Have you noticed that when you (or a loved-one) wait too long between meals, you become irritable, confused, nauseated or fatigued? That means you’re most likely experiencing symptoms of postprandial hypoglycemia.

Postprandial hypoglycemia usuallymanifests about 4 hours after consuming a large carbohydrate meal or a high consumption of glucose. Healthy adults maintain a blood glucose level of around four mmol/L when between meals. If the level drops below four mmol/L, hypoglycemic symptoms may appear. The U.S. National Institute for Health (NIH) states that "The causes of most cases of reactive hypoglycemia are still open to debate. Some researchers suggest that certain people may be more sensitive to the body’s normal release of the hormone epinephrine, which causes many of the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Others believe deficiencies in glucagon secretion might lead to reactive hypoglycemia.”

Symptoms:

Hypoglycemia - The Reason You're so Grumpy
You can purchase a blood glucose meter in most pharmacies if you wish to test the levels of glucose in your blood.

The NIH recommends taking the following steps:
#   Eat small meals and snacks every 3 hours.
 
# Avoid or limit sugar intake
 
# Eat a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, fish, or nonmeat sources of protein, foods such as whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
Prefer high-fiber foods
 
# Regular Exercise (exercise increases sugar uptake which decrease excessive insulin release)

Foods you should avoid:

# Sugar (white / dark)
 
# Honey and molasses
 
# Corn, rice, maple and fruit syrups
 
# Candies, cookies and chocolate
 
# Cakes, pies, pastries and muffins
 
# Milk, ice cream, frozen yogurt and pudding
 
# Jelly, jam
 
# Alcoholic beverages
 
# Carbonated drinks
 
# Caffeinated drinks
 
# Potatoes, white rice
 
# Noodles, pastas and spaghetti
 
# Dried Fruit, grapes, figs, bananas, dates and plums
 
# Grape and Prune Juice
 
# Dishes containing corn starch and refined flour
 
# Artificial sweeteners
 
# Sweetened condiments
 
# Starchy vegetables (like corn)

Foods that are good for you:
 
# Wholegrain breads, cereals, crackers made with little and no sugars
 
# Fresh fruits and vegetables
 
# Decaff coffee and tea
 
# Carbonated and regular water
 
# Brown rice and whole grain pasta
 
# Raw nuts, unsweetened nut butter
 
# Organic poultry, meats, fish and shellfish



For more information, or if you suspect you might be suffering from hypoglycemia, consult with your family physician.