If a medicine is the cause, switching to a different medication can help. To treat your symptoms immediately, eat or drink 15 grams of carbohydrates. A reactive hypoglycemia episode may be a sign the person has or may develop diabetes.

You should discuss it with your healthcare provider to determine your next steps. By making small tweaks to your diet, you can help avoid hypoglycemia. These changes include eating a balanced diet, eating less sugar and carbs, and eating more protein and fiber.

Another prevention tip is carrying a snack with you that can be used to raise your blood sugar. These snacks can include a handful of nuts, a hardboiled egg, or air-popped popcorn.

The best way to address your personal concerns and needs is to discuss your diet, medication, and lifestyle with your healthcare team. They can diagnose any underlying conditions, adjust or change your medications, and advise you on the best ways to prevent hypoglycemia. Tips that apply across the board to keep blood sugar stable include:.

People with diabetes may face more challenges when managing blood sugar levels, but it is possible to stay healthy. People with diabetes and those without can both experience sugar crashes, but for different reasons.

Monitoring your blood sugar is your best bet at preventing a sugar crash if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Whether you have a diabetes diagnosis or not, balance is key. While blood sugar crashes are possible, they can be avoided with healthy living and help from your healthcare provider.

American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Östenson CG, Geelhoed-Duijvestijn P, Lahtela J, Weitgasser R, Markert Jensen M, Pedersen-Bjergaard U. Self-reported non-severe hypoglycaemic events in Europe.

Diabet Med. Hormone Health Network. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia. By Kimberly Charleson Kimberly is a health and wellness content writer crafting well-researched content that answers your health questions. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. What It Is. How It Feels. Diabetic Hypoglycemia. Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia. Why People With Diabetes Should Avoid Meal Skipping. What Is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

How to Use a Glucometer. How to Stop Prediabetes From Turning Into Diabetes. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

See Our Editorial Process. Meet Our Medical Expert Board. Share Feedback. Retrieved September 8, Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved November 8, J R Soc Interface.

doi : PMC PMID National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Department of Health and Human Services. Archived from the original on February 8, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Mayo Clinic. Demand Media. American Dietetic Association. Retrieved November 11, November 1, S2CID Diabetes Metab.

WebMD LLC. Retrieved July 6, The Hypoglycemic states - Hypoglycemia. Armenian Medical Network. Web MD Diabetes. Healthwise Incorporated. Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders. National Health Service 3rd ed. NHS Trust Docs ID: Review date: The Reactive Hypoglycemia Sourcebook, Patrick; Edgerton, Dale S.

September 2, ISSN A time-efficient exercise strategy to improve muscle insulin sensitivity". The Journal of Physiology. Diabetes Health Center. WebMD, LLC. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental.

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A typical recommendation: Half the plate is filled with high-fiber vegetables, and the rest is divided between tuna fish and a single serving of ramen noodles. Clumsiness, difficulty talking, confusion, loss of consciousness , and other symptoms related to hypoglycemia.

Within 4 hours of a high carbohydrate meal. Gastric bypass surgery , over-secretion of insulin.

We all have a unique set of microbes, so we all process our food differently, causing unique responses to food, even when we've eaten precisely the same thing. The best way to dodge a sugar slump is to avoid the foods that cause them.

Instead, pick foods that keep your blood sugar relatively steady. Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks is probably sound advice for everyone seeking better control over their blood sugar.

But some experts advise highly restrictive diets that limit all carbohydrates. However, studies have shown that diets high in carbohydrates from plants can improve blood sugar control after eating by increasing the activity of gut microbes, which protect against unhealthy blood sugar reactions.

Rather than avoiding certain food groups, like carbohydrates, we advise eating a varied diet tailored to your unique biology. After all, o ur PREDICT-1 study has shown us that the same foods can cause different blood sugar responses in different people, so there is no one-size-fits-all advice for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

To understand what causes your sugar crashes, and how you can avoid them and maintain your energy levels, you need to know how YOUR body responds to food. You are unique, and your diet should be too. But how can you know what foods are best for your body?

That's where the ZOE program comes in. Why ZOE? Our Science Library FAQs. Join ZOE Join. Why do they happen? And how can you eat to avoid them? In this post we will look at: What happens to our blood sugar levels throughout the course of a day.

How to recognize a blood sugar crash. The long-term impact of poor blood sugar control. A key strategy to maintaining energy levels, achieving a healthy weight and long-term health. What is a blood sugar crash? Are blood sugar crashes bad for you? Are some people more susceptible to blood sugar crashes than others?

Find out more: What happens when you eat carbs? Discover your unique biology Understand how your body responds to food with ZOE Take the first step.

Suggestions include sugary foods that are quickly digested, such as:. The anti-hypertensive class of medication known as calcium channel blockers could be useful for reactive hypoglycemia as inhibition of the calcium channels on beta islet cells can help prevent an overproduction of insulin after a meal is eaten.

If there is no hypoglycemia at the time of the symptoms, this condition is called idiopathic postprandial syndrome. It might be an " adrenergic postprandial syndrome" — blood glucose levels are normal, but the symptoms are caused through autonomic adrenergic counterregulation.

Dietary recommendations for reactive hypoglycemia can help to relieve symptoms of postprandial syndrome. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Get shortened URL Download QR code Wikidata item.

Download as PDF Printable version. Medical condition. For the song, see SugarCrash! Main article: Idiopathic postprandial syndrome.

Retrieved September 8, Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved November 8, J R Soc Interface. doi : PMC PMID National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Department of Health and Human Services. Archived from the original on February 8, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Mayo Clinic. Demand Media. American Dietetic Association. Retrieved November 11, November 1, S2CID Diabetes Metab. WebMD LLC. Retrieved July 6, The Hypoglycemic states - Hypoglycemia. Armenian Medical Network.

Web MD Diabetes. Healthwise Incorporated. Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders. National Health Service 3rd ed. NHS Trust Docs ID: Review date: The Reactive Hypoglycemia Sourcebook, Patrick; Edgerton, Dale S. September 2, ISSN A time-efficient exercise strategy to improve muscle insulin sensitivity".

The Journal of Physiology. Diabetes Health Center. WebMD, LLC. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. Endocrine Practice. Retrieved November 29, Classification D.

Your best bet is to consume about 15 grams g of carbohydrates, the NIDDK says. Some options include:. Wait, then retest. The next step is to wait 15 minutes, then test your blood sugar again. If not If your blood sugar is still low, eat another 15 g of carbohydrates, wait another 15 minutes, and retest.

It is important not to treat low glucose with foods like chocolate or cake because the fat in these foods may not allow the sugar to be absorbed quickly enough. What to do when your blood sugar is back to normal.

Smart options include a handful of peanuts, some peanut butter, or cheese. But once your blood sugar levels are stable again, you can otherwise resume your activities, Tan adds.

When to call your doctor. Untreated hypoglycemia could cause you to have a seizure or become unconscious, the NIDDK says. But sometimes you might need to rely on other people to help when your blood sugar drops too low, and especially since low blood sugar can also affect your alertness and thinking.

Teach your loved ones. Glucagon can be given by simple injection into the fat of the belly, thigh, or arm, or by using a prefilled pen-like device, prefilled syringe or vial, or also by nasal spray. Wear an ID bracelet. Evans suggests that everyone with diabetes should wear a medical ID bracelet or carry a wallet card.

Talk to your doctor about your low blood sugar risk. If you have frequent bouts of hypoglycemia, be sure to talk with your doctor. The solution may be as simple as changing how much or the kind of diabetes medicine you take. The symptoms of a blood sugar crash can be mild to severe and include the following:.

If your blood sugar level is low and continues to drop, your brain does not get enough glucose and stops functioning as it should. This can lead to blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, confusion, slurred speech, numbness, and drowsiness.

If blood sugar stays low for too long, starving the brain of glucose, it may lead to seizures, coma, and very rarely death. Studies have shown that people are unaware of the symptoms and seriousness of hypoglycemia. People with diabetes have to check their blood sugar levels often and practice healthy habits to keep their blood sugar levels in check.

Unfortunately, blood sugar crashes can happen for reasons out of your control. Low blood sugar is common in people living with type 1 diabetes , but it can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes who are taking insulin or certain medications.

The average person with type 1 diabetes may experience up to two symptomatic episodes of mild low blood sugar per week. Common causes of blood sugar crashes in people with diabetes include too much insulin or an unbalanced diet:. The main treatment for a mild sugar crash is the rule.

It helps slowly bring blood sugar levels up. This can backfire by causing the blood sugar to spike. Instead, according to the rule, you should eat 15 grams of carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar and check your blood sugar level 15 minutes after.

Food or supplements that contain 15 mg of carbohydrates include:. Complex carbohydrates or foods that contain fats along with carbs like chocolate can slow the absorption of glucose and should not be used to treat an emergency low. Keep track of your symptoms and low blood sugar episodes and tell your healthcare provider.

Monitoring your blood sugar is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia. The more a person checks blood sugar, the lower their risk of hypoglycemia.

This is because you can see when blood sugar levels are dropping and treat it before it gets too low. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar at the following times:. You should check your blood sugar more often if you made certain changes, such as a new insulin routine, a different work schedule, an increase in physical activity, or travel across time zones.

Besides a glucometer, you can also monitor your blood sugar with a continuous glucose monitor. These monitors are devices connected to the body all day, allowing quick access to information anytime you need it. These monitors help prevent surprise highs or lows in blood sugar and address them quickly.

Other things you can do to avoid a blood sugar crash if you have diabetes include:. Non-diabetic blood sugar crashes are considered much rarer than diabetic blood sugar crashes. They may occur for various reasons.

There are two types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia: reactive hypoglycemia and fasting hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia, also called postprandial hypoglycemia, happens after a meal, typically a few hours later.

Possible causes of reactive hypoglycemia include:. On the other hand, fasting hypoglycemia can be caused by:. For people without diabetes, treatment depends on the cause of the hypoglycemia.

For example, if you have a tumor that is causing your hypoglycemia, you may need surgery. If a medicine is the cause, switching to a different medication can help. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Maintaining a moderate weight promotes healthy blood sugar levels and reduces your risk of developing diabetes 2 , 26 , 27 , For example, if a person weighs pounds 91 kg and loses just 10—14 pounds 4.

These are used as indicators of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months 60 , Maintaining a moderate weight will support blood sugar management and decrease your risk of developing diabetes.

Spreading your meals and snacks throughout the day may help you avoid both high and low blood sugar levels Snacking between meals may also reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes In fact, several studies suggest that having smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day could improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels 62 , In addition, eating smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the day may lower glycated hemoglobin HbA1c readings, indicating improvements in blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months Snacking between meals could keep your blood sugar levels from spiking or plummeting throughout the day.

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that offer numerous health benefits, including improved blood sugar regulation 65 , 66 , 67 , Research shows that probiotic intake may lower fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin HbA1c , and insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes 65 , 66 , 67 , Interestingly, studies have found that improvements in blood sugar levels are more significant in people who consume multiple species of probiotics and for at least 8 weeks 69 , Probiotic-rich foods include fermented foods, such as:.

Insulin is a hormone that balances blood sugar in the body. These are defined as excessive thirst, urination, and appetite, respectively. Many of them include making lifestyle changes, like managing your weight, stress levels, and sleep quality, exercising, and staying hydrated.

That said, some of the biggest improvements have to do with your dietary choices. Be sure to talk with your healthcare professional before making lifestyle changes or trying new supplements— especially if you have problems with blood sugar management or are taking medications.

Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument. This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers. Has taking insulin led to weight gain for you?

Learn why this happens, plus how you can manage your weight once you've started insulin treatment. When it comes to managing diabetes, adding the right superfoods to your diet is key.

Try these simple, delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, and…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 14 Easy Ways to Lower Blood Sugar Levels Naturally.

Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — By Arlene Semeco, MS, RD — Updated on October 30, Explore our top resources. Exercise regularly. Manage your carb intake. Eat more fiber. Drink water and stay hydrated. Implement portion control. Choose foods with a low glycemic index.

Try to manage your stress levels. Monitor your blood sugar levels. Get enough quality sleep. Eat foods rich in chromium and magnesium. Consider adding specific foods to your diet. Maintain a moderate weight. Eat healthy snacks more frequently. Eat probiotic-rich foods. Frequently asked questions.

The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History.