Question

Answer

Sue Luscombe, Honorary Diet & Nutrition Adviser says:

The cause of reactive hypoglycaemia is unclear. The abnormally low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) occur  2-4 hours after carbohydrate intake, with symptoms of dizziness, faintness, nausea and sweating.

 The diet guidelines to help the symptoms associated with reactive hypoglycaemia include:

• Eat little and often – Eating regularly throughout the day, for example, 5-6 small meals and snacks, helps regulate the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. ·
• Choose low glycaemic index (GI) foods – Carbohydrate foods that have a low GI (take longer to digest, which means the glucose is released at a slower rate. Low GI foods are often higher in fibre too. Examples include; most fruit, porridge, milk, and yoghurts (preferably low fat), beans, lentils and pulses, sweet potato, pasta, wholegrains such as granary breads, and brown or basmati rice.
• Avoid large portions of starchy carbohydrates – These include potatoes, pasta, bread, and rice. Spreading these types of foods throughout the day will help to reduce the risk of reactive hypoglycaemia.

More Information:

East Sussex Healthcare Trust: Reactive Hypoglycaemia