Hypoglycemia info

[Guest guest]

DO...

DO -- Keep a daily account of everything you eat for one week to ten

days. In one column, list every bit of food, drink and medication

that you take and at what time. In the second column, list your

symptoms and the time at which you experience them. Very often you

will see a correlation between what you have consumed and your

symptoms. When you do, eliminate those foods or drinks that you

notice are contributing to your behavior and note the difference. DO

NOT STOP MEDICATION. If you believe that your medication may be

contributing to your symptoms, contact your physician. A diet diary

is your personal blueprint: a clear overall view of what you are

eating, digesting and assimilating. It can be the first indicator

that something is wrong and, perhaps, a very inexpensive way of

correcting a very simple problem.

DO -- Start eliminating the " biggies " -- those foods, drinks and

chemicals that cause the most problems: sugar, white flour, alcohol,

caffeine and tobacco.

DO -- Be extremely careful when and how you eliminate the offending

substances. Only YOU, with the guidance of a health-care

professional, can decide. Some patients choose to go at a steady

pace. If you drink ten cups of coffee a day, gradually reduce

consumption over a period of days or weeks. The same is true for

food or tobacco. If you are heavily addicted to all of the

aforementioned, particularly alcohol, then withdrawal should not be

undertaken unless you are under the care of a physician.

DO -- Replace offending foods immediately with good, wholesome,

nutritious food and snacks as close to their natural state as

possible. Lean meats, poultry (without the skin), whole grains,

vegetables and allowable fruits are recommended. We want to prevent

deprivation from setting in, especially the " poor me, I have nothing

to eat " attitude. There is plenty to eat.

DO -- Eat six small meals a day or three meals with snack in

between. Remember not to over eat.

DO -- Be prepared to keep your blood sugar stabilized at all times,

whether at home, office, school or traveling. At home, you should

always have allowable foods ready in the refrigerator or cupboards.

Always keep snacks in your car or where you work.

DO -- Watch your fruit consumption. If you are in the early or

severe stages of hypoglycemia, you may not be able to eat any fruit.

Some patients can eat just a small amount. Your diet diary will help

guide you. Avoid dried fruits completely.

DO -- Be careful of the amount of " natural " foods or drinks you

consume. Even though juices are natural, they contain high amounts

of sugar. Whether or not the sugar you consume is " natural " , your

body doesn't know the difference. Sugar is sugar is sugar...and your

body will react to an excess of it.

DO -- Be aware of the fact that some medications contain caffeine.

If you're having reactions to the following medications, bring this

matter to the attention of your physician: Anacin, APC, Caffergot,

Coricidin, Excedrin Fiorinal, Four-Way Cold Tablets and Darvon

Compound, etc.

DO -- Start a library of cookbooks. They don't necessarily have to

be for hypoglycemics. Many good books with no or low sugar recipes

are available.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

DON'T...

DON'T -- Panic when you first hear about all the foods that you must

eliminate from your diet. Keep repeating all the foods that you CAN

eat -- there are plenty.

DON'T -- Forget that being PREPARED with meals and snacks is the key

to a successful hypoglycemia diet and a healthier you.

DON'T -- Skip breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day for

a hypoglycemic.

DON'T -- Compare your results or progress with anyone else's. Each

body's metabolism is different.

DON'T -- Be obsessive about your diet. The CONSTANT focus on what

you can and cannot eat will only instill more fear, stress and

frustration.