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Blood sugar or blood glucose is essential for providing our body with energy. This energy is mainly derived from carbohydrates which are broken down into glucose and absorbed in the blood stream. Insulin plays an important role in this process. Sometimes, however, our body performs this operation too fast, leading to a dip in blood sugar. Blood sugar levels can be checked with the help of a simple blood test carried out on an empty stomach and again after taking a meal. This indicates the rate at which the body is processing carbohydrates into energy. When blood sugar levels are low, a diagnosis of hypoglycaemia is made. Hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, has a number of symptoms. A person suffering from low blood sugar levels is quite likely to experience some of these symptoms: weakness, mood swings, headaches, nervousness, irritability, nausea. In severe cases there have also been reports of visual disturbances, shaking, sweating, confusion, palpitation, anxiety, dizziness and fatigue.
Hypoglycaemia is usually treated with a combination of drugs and lifestyle changes, including diet modification. Here is some of what your husband can do to stay fit: A. He must lose weight if he is overweight since excess fat interferes with the function of insulin. B. Avoid alcohol and caffeine in any form at all, since they cause blood sugar levels to drop significantly. C. Avoid refined or simple carbohydrates like white bread and refined sugars like maple syrup, table sugar, golden syrup, molasses, caster or icing sugar. These foods are too easily broken down and absorbed and a temporary rush of energy after eating is followed by a dip in sugar levels. D. Increase the intake of complex carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat crackers etc. These complex carbs also come with the extra benefit of fibre and therefore, it takes much longer for the body to digest them. This in turn avoids sharp ups and downs in blood sugar levels that are common in hypoglycaemia. E. In keeping with the same principle as above, always eat a whole fruit and avoid fruit juices. Whole fruit provides fibre and natural sugars, which fruit juice (which is often diluted and/or artificially sweetened) does not. F. Increase protein intake as protein is an essential in maintaining the energy and warmth in the body. Good sources are eggs, meat, fish, poultry, tofu and legumes. Have at least two helpings for the day. Finally, and most importantly, it is essential that anyone suffering from low sugar levels eats small and frequent meals, instead of three big ones. A huge gap between meals will cause blood sugar levels to dip dangerously low. Whereas small, frequent meals will ensure that the digestive system is always at work and sugar levels are maintained.
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