I'm in the middle of an attack right now. I need sugar, but I'm trying to give it up so I can lose weight. I don't want sugar. I'm all shakey, it's hard to type, I'm trembling, I yell at my sons. Does anyone else have this? Is it related to the PCOS? How am I going to lose weight if I have to have sugar? I get these attacks once a day. I just fixed myself a cup of tea with sugar. Is that okay? I need to lose 50lbs. Thanks.
Do you eat protein with your meals and snacks? Protein helps keep you blood sugar level when you eat. Also, foods with higher fat content will keep your blood sugar level (2% milk instead of skim). Try eating whole grain carbs that have low or no sugar. They don't raise your blood sugar as much. If your blood sugar goes up, it will invariable come down. You have to eat regularly to keep your blood sugar level. You can't go hours without eating. Your body just can't handle it.
When you feel a hypo attack coming on, try grabbing a handful of nuts & some yogurt or 1/2 a peanut butter sandwhich on whole grain, and see if it relieves your symptoms. One of those two things usually work for me.
By sensitive to artificial sweeteners, do you mean they cause you physcial problems or you just hate the taste of them? If they cause you physical problems, have you tried Stevia as a sugar substitute? It is supposed to be more natural than the others and not harmful to your body. If you just can't stand the taste of them, try gradually cutting back on the sugar in your tea. I really don't care for artificial sweeteners, and I've gotten used to putting just a few grains in my coffee and none in my tea.
If you are having hypo attacks, you are probably insulin resistant. Exercise helps improve IR, and should help your hypo attacks. Just remember to eat something before you exercise.
Check at the drugstore for glucose tablets. If you get an attack and you are out somewhere, you can pop one to get your blood sugar back up, but they won't overdose you on sugar.
I'm with Josie. And you are probably insulin resistant.
I find the only thing that keeps my hypoglycemia under control is to eat every 3 to 4 hours. Just a small meal or snack, and make sure the snack has protein. When you eat carbs without having some protein, your body breaks them down into sugar sooner, which contributes to the hypo episodes.
Thanks for all the great advice. Yes - sugar substitutes cause me headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. That's why I wonder how I can lose weight, if I have to use sugar. And no, when I think about it, I've been very bad about getting enough protein. The only meal I have protein is dinner. I love chicken. I've decided I should give up peanut butter and jelly, because if I have one sandwich, I'll have 3 if nobody stops me!
May I suggest that you think about what you have to use sugar for? Do you really need it? If you are drinking sugary soft drinks or tea, I bet you you could give them up! I don't use sugar in anything. I use 1/2 package Stevia in my coffee, but I could live without it. I rarely bake sweets (only to take them to a party or special gathering). I drink water with every meal and all throughout the day, and I treat myself to unsweetened tea once in awhile. I buy 5 lbs sugar once a year when I bake for Christmas and usually wind up throwing out 1/2 of it out the next year when I buy a new bag. I'm not saying I'm perfect. There are other foods that I shouldn't eat, but I do. I just don't have much need for sugar in my diet.
No one knows for sure if insulin resistance always turns into diabetes, especially if we try to manage and improve our insulin sensitivity. There is some belief that Type II diabetes can be delayed or even avoided if we get our IR under control.
I never add sugar to my coffee or tea. I only did yesterday because I was so shakey and I figured a cup of sweet tea would have less calories than food. I never drink soft drinks either. I usually drink tea and coffee with no sugar, or milk, or juices with no added sugar. I only buy juices with no added sugar. I just recently gave up desserts because a few days ago, I had a candy bar after dinner and couldn't get any sleep at all that night, so I figured it must've been the sugar in the candy bar.
My husband and I've decided I shouldn't bake any more desserts, because he needs to lose 40lbs, and I need to lose 50lbs. And I hate it when I can't sleep. I also gave up my International Delight coffee creamer. I have a feeling that's why I put on all this weight - I love that creamer!
Oh - when I say I HAVE to have sugar, I mean whenever I have one of these attacks, I need sugar, right?
When you have a hypo attacks, try something like yogurt and a few nuts or a 1/2 peanut butter sandwich (no jelly) on whole wheat with a glass of milk, or fruit and cheese. Try to eat both protein and carbs when you have an attack. If you don't feel better in 5 - 10 minutes, drink 8 oz orange juice and that should do it. You don't need refined sugar to counteract a hypo attack. It's OK to eat snacks like I mentioned, and eat smaller portions at meals. If you know you get the attack everyday around a certain time, eat the snack before then. You may not be getting enough calories to if you are dieting or you may be going to long without eating.
I eat lunch about noon and may not get supper until 7 pm. I'm really bad about not eating an afternoon snack or eating something that is totally carbs. I sometimes have hypo attacks while I am cooking dinner, but I've found that eating a salad with a few nuts on it will stop the attack.
Oh - when I say I HAVE to have sugar, I mean whenever I have one of these attacks, I need sugar, right?
A better choice would be a carb and protein snack, such as an apple with peanut butter, or an apple and a string cheese, or a slice of toast and a glass of milk, or 1/4 c cottage cheese and piece of fruit.
Your body will break those foods down into glucose, too, but it will be slower than something sugary, and that will help keep your blood sugar more level.
Something with sugar would be the less preferred choice, or something you would use in an emergency situation, such as if you're a diabetic who's just tested their BG and it's super low.
ETA: it would be wise to avoid getting to the point where you become hypoglycemic, if you can help it
Wow! I love the Soulcysters site. For years no one understands what I go through with insulin resistance and hypoglycemia.
JosieFB is right on about planning ahead and having snacks ready. A really scary thing for me is having a hypoglycemia attack while driving a car. I always try to keep some nuts in the car for just such an event. Also, for me I can usually get by with a piece of sugarless gum until I can get to a point where I can get some protein.
Thanks so much, everybody, for all the advice! I didn't have an attack yesterday! Boy, I never thought of having one while driving - that would be so scary! I'm glad I don't HAVE to have sugar - maybe now I can start to lose weight. I always heard you needed sugar when you're having an attack. And then I wondered: I thought diabetics weren't supposed to have sugar? What's in nuts that make them so helpful?
From what I understand nuts have protein, fiber and carbohydrates. Plus they are easy to keep them handy (in your car, desk at work, golf bag, etc.).
Also, if you are having the hypoglycemia attachs regularly, if you haven't already, you should discuss this with your doctor. You may need medication, like Metformin/Glucophage. I am on this because I want to prevent getting diabetes.
Hypoglycemia? 
