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Suggest Diet When Suffering From Reactive Hypoglycemia

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Posted on Sat, 25 Oct 2014
Question: I need nutritional help. I suffer from Reactive Hypoglycemia.
And I eat often. Usually around 6 times a day. 2300-2600 calories.

I worry that I am not getting enough nutrients, but I am wondering if I am just thinking that because my diet is often so very consistent. I eat the same things nearly every day. I have go to foods because I know how I react to them and I know what foods don't cause me issues with my blood sugar.

So my question is this.... When it comes to fruits and vegetables am I getting enough nutrition to be healthy?
I only eat the following (but I eat them everyday): Spinach, tomato, carrots, onion, broccoli, oranges

A couple times a week I throw in asparagus. or have zucchini or snow peas. Maybe a banana. But overall I am very consistant with what I eat.

Even though I only eat these specific vegetables and fruit I still make sure I eat 7-9 servings a day.
For example: If I make a chicken wrap, I use a whole grain wrap with chicken, 1/4 cup tomato, 1/4 cup carrots, 1/4 cup broccoli with about 25grams of spinach and a slice of cheese. But I do this multiple times a day. and everyday of the week.

So I am wondering if I am doing myself harm, or if this would be considered unhealthy dangerous to my health, or is this okay and actually healthy enough although quite boring.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Dietary plan with some advices mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I appreciate the efforts you are keeping but you need a little supplementation to the diet or you may end up with deficiencies as the current diet plan is not enough to provide you with other ingredients like amino acids and proteins and vitamin supplements.

As far as eating cautiously is concerned , anything with low hypoglycemic index or which does not absorb instantly and provide instant glucose load to the blood stream is good to eat for diabetes or reactive hypoglycemia. Follow this link and it will provide you a complete dietary plan , what to eat and what not to.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm

Don't get stuck in a rut. Choose foods of different colors. That's an easy way to make sure that you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and lean protein.

Watch your calories. Your age, sex, and activity level affect how many calories you need to gain, lose, or maintain your weight.

Go for fiber. You get fiber from plant foods: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Studies suggest that people with type 2 diabetes who eat a high-fiber diet can improve their blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Do not skip meals. Eat meals and snacks at regular times every day. If you are taking a diabetes medicine, eat your meals and take your medicine at the same times each day.

If you have high cholesterol as well as diabetes, your doctor will probably recommend the TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) plan.

TLC includes a cholesterol-lowering diet, losing extra weight, and becoming more active. That helps lower your risk of getting heart disease, which is more common in people with diabetes.

Specifically, the TLC diet calls for the following:

Limiting fat to 25%-35% of total calories eaten per day.
Getting no more than 7% of your daily calories from saturated fat, 10% or less from polyunsaturated fats, and up to 20% from monounsaturated fats (like plant oils or nuts).
Devote 50% to 60% of your daily calories from carbs.
Aim for 20-30 grams of fiber per day.
Protein should account for about 15%-20% of total calories eaten per day.
Cap cholesterol at less than 200 milligrams per day.
Getting more exercise and keeping up with your medical treatment are also key.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Suggest Diet When Suffering From Reactive Hypoglycemia

Brief Answer: Dietary plan with some advices mentioned Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I appreciate the efforts you are keeping but you need a little supplementation to the diet or you may end up with deficiencies as the current diet plan is not enough to provide you with other ingredients like amino acids and proteins and vitamin supplements. As far as eating cautiously is concerned , anything with low hypoglycemic index or which does not absorb instantly and provide instant glucose load to the blood stream is good to eat for diabetes or reactive hypoglycemia. Follow this link and it will provide you a complete dietary plan , what to eat and what not to. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm Don't get stuck in a rut. Choose foods of different colors. That's an easy way to make sure that you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and lean protein. Watch your calories. Your age, sex, and activity level affect how many calories you need to gain, lose, or maintain your weight. Go for fiber. You get fiber from plant foods: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Studies suggest that people with type 2 diabetes who eat a high-fiber diet can improve their blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Do not skip meals. Eat meals and snacks at regular times every day. If you are taking a diabetes medicine, eat your meals and take your medicine at the same times each day. If you have high cholesterol as well as diabetes, your doctor will probably recommend the TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) plan. TLC includes a cholesterol-lowering diet, losing extra weight, and becoming more active. That helps lower your risk of getting heart disease, which is more common in people with diabetes. Specifically, the TLC diet calls for the following: Limiting fat to 25%-35% of total calories eaten per day. Getting no more than 7% of your daily calories from saturated fat, 10% or less from polyunsaturated fats, and up to 20% from monounsaturated fats (like plant oils or nuts). Devote 50% to 60% of your daily calories from carbs. Aim for 20-30 grams of fiber per day. Protein should account for about 15%-20% of total calories eaten per day. Cap cholesterol at less than 200 milligrams per day. Getting more exercise and keeping up with your medical treatment are also key. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards Khan