FAQs: Hypoglycemia Diet

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1. The Basic Concepts
2. How do I substitute cream for milk on the strict HG diet?
3. What does Being in Ketosis mean?
4. Can I drink coffee and tea on the HG diet?
5. Can I eat Corn Starch on the HG diet?
6. Do I have to eat every two hours on the HG diet?
7. What are sugar alcohols?
8. Sugar Intolerance
9. Does hypoglycemia cause any lumps in muscles?

1. The Basic Concepts
Take a minute and re-read the HG chapter in our book. It's really important for you to understand the basic concepts if you are hypoglycemic.

Our diet does not count carbs, carbs are not equal to each other. A gram of the kind of carbohydrate that occurs naturally in vegetables is not the same thing as a gram of dextrose or sucrose.

All you need to do is follow the diet as written. It works on real live people. The glycemic index doesn't really translate into HG as certain things slow down the absorption of sugar and certain sugars don't prompt the release of insulin which is what you are trying to avoid. An insulin index would be more accurate than an glycemic index, but even then, for reasons not yet understood by researchers, the body handles some carbohydrates differently.

I'll be glad to help you---if you need more help after this.... top

2. How do I substitute cream for milk on the strict HG diet?
To substitute cream for milk on the strict HG diet (on the liberal milk is allowed) water down the cream about 1/4 with water, and add a dash of sugar-free sweetener like splenda. Milk is sweeter than cream, and cream needs just a dash of sweet taste when you use it instead. top

3. What does "Being in Ketosis" mean?
When you are on a low carb diet for weight loss, you are in ketosis by definition. Ketosis means that you are burning fat for fuel -- ketones appear in the urine. Ketosis is NOT dangerous.  It should not be confused with ketoacidosis which IS serious. top

4. Can I drink coffee and tea on the HG diet?
If you are hypoglycemic you can only drink decaffeinated coffee and tea. Other teas, such as herbal teas, are fine as long as they are consumed as food. If they are a medicinal supplement they are in a concentrated form and cannot be used. top

5. Can I eat Corn Starch on the HG diet?
No corn starch on either HG diet, sorry. You can however use corn starch on your skin. top

6. Do I have to eat every two hours on the HG diet?
No. There is no need to eat every few hours on the HG diet. You should eat when you are hungry. top

7. What are sugar alcohols?
If you've looked lately at the “Nutrition Facts” panel on a pack of sugar-free gum or candy, you might be surprised to see that it contains “sugar alcohol.” Don't let the name fool you. These ingredients were given this consumer-friendly name because part of their structure resembles sugar and part is similar to alcohol. Sugar alcohols do not contain ethanol, which is found in alcoholic beverages.

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are ingredients used as sweeteners and bulking agents. They occur naturally in foods and come from plant products such as fruits and berries. As a sugar substitute, they provide fewer calories (about a half to one-third less calories) than regular sugar. This is because they are converted to glucose more slowly, require little or no insulin to be metabolized and don't cause sudden increases in blood sugar. This makes them popular among individuals with diabetes; however, their use is becoming more common by just about everyone. You may be consuming them and not even know it.

Common sugar alcohols are mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, maltitol and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH). Sugar alcohols are not commonly used in home food preparation, but are found in many processed foods. Food products labeled “sugar-free,” including hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks and throat lozenges often consist of sugar alcohols. They are frequently used in toothpaste and mouthwash too.

So why are sugar alcohols used so often? For one thing, they help to provide the sweet flavor to food in many products marketed towards individuals with diabetes. But, beware! There is often the misconception that all sugar alcohol-containing products are “free foods.” Some of these products may still contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. It's important to check the food label for the total carbohydrate contained in the product and talk with a registered dietitian to determine how it will best fit into your meal plan. If a manufacturer uses the term “sugar free” or “no added sugar,” they must list the grams of sugar alcohols. If more than one sugar alcohol is used in a product, the “Nutrition Facts” panel will list the amount of sugar alcohol it contains under the total carbohydrate. If just one sugar alcohol is used, the label will list its specific name, for example, “mannitol” or “hydrogenated starch hydrolysates.”

On the positive side, sugar alcohols contain less calories (1.5 - 3 calories per gram) than sugar (4 calories per gram), and they do not cause tooth decay like sugar does. Therefore, many “sugar-free” gums including Trident® and Extra® are made with sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols also add texture to foods, retain moisture better and prevent foods from browning when they are heated.

Unfortunately, there are some negatives associated with sugar alcohols. The most common side effect is the possibility of bloating and diarrhea when sugar alcohols are eaten in excessive amounts. There is also some evidence that sugar alcohols, much like fructose (natural fruit sugar) in fruit and fruit juice can cause a “laxative effect.” Weight gain has been seen when these products are overeaten. The American Diabetes Association claims that sugar alcohols are acceptable in a moderate amount but should not be eaten in excess. Some people with diabetes, especially Type I diabetics, have found that their blood sugars rise if sugar alcohols are eaten in uncontrolled amounts. top

8. Sugar Intolerance
Many of the fibromyalgics with hypoglycemia are simply hypoglycemic because of the horrible stress the illness of FMS puts on their bodies. Just as some women routinely get HG premenstrually (craving sugars, frontal headaches, severe hunger pangs, etc.) others simply become carb intolerant because of the toll. When their FMS gets better, their HG goes away for the most part. They may still notice during periods of stress their HG comes back --but generally just a little tightening up on their diet at that time is all they need.

Others of course, especially with family histories lousy with diabetes and other blood sugar problems will always have hypoglycemia or eventually develop diabetes. This is genetic, and except for following the diet for life there is nothing they can do. For them--biology is destiny.

Weight gain and sedentary lifestyle can also nudge people into HG and eventually diabetes. And, of course, genetic traits kick in as we age. Women with a history of gestational diabetes in their youth are at higher risk for blood sugar problems later on, for example.

Where in the spectrum we each lie---only time and good habits will tell us. And we need to remember it is a spectrum with extremes at either end, in the minority. Some people would never, ever develop HG no matter what they do ---others will always have it, and must face the struggle daily. top

9. Does hypoglycemia cause any lumps in muscles?
No, HG does not cause lumps. It can cause tight muscles (muscle spasm) but not lumps and bumps. top