Hello Kale,

My doctor did test me, but the reason he tested me was because he thought I was diabetic. He got the results the same day and called to tell me right away that I was Hypoglycemic, and that I come in two days later. He didn't really know much except to eat more times a day, so I went for nothing. He could have told me that over the phone. lol.

I went to a Dietitian and she had no real clue either. She put me on a diet that landed me in the E.R.

Yes, I've been where you are and so have many of us here. I started searching as you have and I have failed and succeeded with things. I have found that protein intake is a huge help for me to keep this balanced.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you for commenting, I don't feel as alone in it now. What are some things that have worked for you besides protien? And what things didn't work? Sorry there such broad questions! Did you have to totally give up sugar and white flour to feel better, or were you able to mostly give it up? I feel as if it's going to be such a challenge, because I'm a vegetarian. Yesturday was the first day that I tried to cut the sugar and white flour, and it seemed impossible. I ate healthy cereal that I didn't realize had sugar, I had vanilla soymilk (sugar), even my freakin' healthy peanut butter had sugar in it. Plus the fact that I'm in college and whenever I go out with friends they have pizza and alcohol. I know it won't all change overnight, and at least this community exists. Thank you!

I completely understand how you feel not being taken seriously by doctors. I spent about a year and a half going to 10 different doctors, none of whom even considered hypoglycemia. After doing research on my own, I decided to try a hypoglycemic diet, and the results were dramatic. When I told my GP, she sort of shrugged and said that it didn't make any sense. Most doctors just don't seem to understand that diet can have a huge impact on our health. (Is that really such a difficult concept to grasp?) Anyway, I've been treating this thing without any help from doctors--I get advice from books, and from the wonderful people on DS.

As to what to eat; I don't have first-hand experience with doing a hypo/vegetarian diet, but I would recommend using lots of nuts, eggs, and dairy products as protein sources, as well as soy/tofu. For cereal, I've found that Bear Naked High-Protein granola works pretty well. You can also buy the plain soymilk, or unsweetened if you can find it, and add some vanilla extract and/or agave nectar to sweeten it a bit.

Vegetables are also a really important part of a hypoglycemic diet. You should be careful of carrots, peas, pumpkin and other winter squashes, and eggplant, as these are fairly high in sugar/starch. (This doesn't mean they're off limits, just eat them in small quantities along with some protein.) Pretty much all other vegetables are fine. So for meals, I would recommend things like salad with either nuts or cheese or egg for protein, omeletes with lots of veggies, or stir fry/curries with tofu and veggies.

Oh, and as far as nut butters go--there are some out there without sugar, you just have to take the time to read labels. I'm allergic to peanut butter, so I usually eat cashew or almond butter, and I haven't had a problem with those having sugar. You may need to look at a health food store rather than the grocery store to find these, though.

I think this post is long enough, but feel free to ask if you have questions!

I'm so glad cactusren answered, she's very knowledgeable about this. I on the other hand am not that up on my Hypo. lol. I should be though.

Stay away from caffeine in any shape, not being a vegetarian, I'm not sure you would have anything to do with that or not.
Also, watch your fruits, they have natural sugars that can set you on the road to a low, tomatoes are loaded with sugar so stay away from that one, allot of people don't think fruits are bad but to us they are.
Whole grain flour is a good sub for white flour and wheat pasta too. I have not cut all sugar and white flour out, just allot of it.

Basically---A low carb, high Protein( I'm sure you've gotten that idea already though. LOL.) diet.
Carb intake should be Complex carbs not simple carbs. Simple carbs burn to fast and you face possible crashing, while slow carbs stay with you longer. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Did you also know that Hypo can cause depression, and many other things? If I find the site I'll send it to you, just so you are more familiar with what you're going through.

Talk to you later

Thank you so much for both of your helpful replys, it really brings my spirits up! And also thank you for being so welcoming.
I have another couple questions though! lol. How have you explained it to your Significant other, parent or child? How have you dealt with it so that you don't feel as if your holding them back? (ie. my boyfriend loves hiking, and feels like he wouldn't be able to bring me now. Another is how we go out to eat at a fancy Italin restaurant on our anniversaries *pasta and white bread*). How do you deal with this kind of thing? I know that's a loaded question and that there is no real way. But any examples could help. Thank you!

I'd say the major thing is just to make sure that your friends and loved ones know about hypoglycemia. The book Hypoglycemia for dummies has a chapter aimed at those living with hypoglycemics. Encourage them to read this or similar things, and tell them what you know. Make sure they know what you can and can't eat, and what symptoms you have when your blood sugar drops. My friends all know that if I seem unduly cranky or tired that they should remind me to eat. As far as hiking, there's no real reason that you can't hike with him--just bring plenty of trail mix. If you're having problems with fatigue, it should (hopefully!) improve after you've been on a hypo diet for a while.

As far as going out to eat, italian may not be the best option for you. Maybe Asian food (just eat the protein and veggies, and leave the rice)? Indian food and middle eastern food both have lots of vegetarian options, too. Again, just don't eat the rice or bread (yes, I have eaten hummus with a spoon...). Stick to dishes based on lentils, chickpeas, etc. I know its inconvenient if your traditional "going out" place is italian, but just look at it as an opportunity to explore new restaraunts.

Hope this helps.

Well, for hiking you can take small things with you to keep your level up. Like little protein bars or things like that. I love the out doors so I do this because I'm out all day when I do go.
At places that have pasta find out if they have the other pasta and maybe a sauce other than red and white sauce, maybe see if they have pesto or something with less sugar than the other typical pasta sauces.
Alcohol is a big no no. lol. Sorry, but that stuff drops everyones sugar allot, so for us it would be very harmful.
Pizza is something I do on occasion, maybe once a month and if I'm being a good Hypoglycemic, it won't hurt me that bad, nothing a quick protein shake wont fix.

As far as telling everyone, I just came out and told them "I have low sugar, my I.Q. will drop from time to time but that just means I'm low on sugar, So please let me know when I start acting stupid so I can fix it". lol. I had to add humor in there simply because, I thought if I didn't make a big deal out of it neither would they, and therefor wouldn't treat me like I was dieing. lol.
Basically, keep living, you should anyway, it's better to get out and about, but just take things with you that will help keep your sugar stable. Don't leave home without it. lol.
Please do remember that this is serious, I simply joked about it to my family, friends and co-workers so they'd stay off my back.
I'll start looking for that web site and send it to you soon. I'll look now but my eye lids are dropping, not sure how long I'm going to last here. I'm old. lol.

Hope this helps a bit as far as what to do and say. Talk to you later.

I love hummus with Hala with pita bread. You've just made me want to run out and get that. lol. I'll have to read the label for Hala, I've not had that in years. I can see where this weekend is going to take me. lol.

Have a nice weekend Ladies, if we don't meet sooner.

I'll send you these just to give you an idea of what your friends and family should know along with yourself.

http://www.fred.net/slowup/habul44.html

http://www.drpodell.org/hypoglycemia_symptoms.shtml

http://va.essortment.com/hypoglycemiasym_rjfc.htm

I'm actually looking for one specific site, it was very helpful but I forget where it was. Do get that book cactusren mentioned as well, Hypoglycemia for dummies. My family and friends do know about Hypoglycemia, they asked questions and they searched as well for answers.
as soon as I find that one I'm actually looking for I'll send it along. Do watch looking and asking because allot of info on the web is about a diabetic having Hypo because of their meds.

No comment. lol.

http://dailystrength.org/discussions/Hypoglycemia_low_blood_sugar/messages/1451771

OMG!!! Darn it. Told ya I was tiered. lol Duuuuu! Here.. try this one. lol.

http://www.hypoglycemia.org/diet.asp

Ok, I am sooo going to bed now. lmao.

Wow, that's alot of information to write back about, but it's great! Thank you so much guys.
The ideas and tips to do are very helpful and I will definitly do them. And I'll have to go get that book, "hypoglycemia for dummies", it sounds very helpful. And those websites are awesome.
And Hummus with hala and pita bread is Amazing! lol. And I thought the comment with this link was hysterical, I hope you got a great night sleep! lol.
And for one last question: Did you guys seem to have what felt like withdrawals when you cut the sugar and white flour? Because I've lowered my intake (today is only the 2rd day) and last night I was very nausaus and dizzy - and I ate great! Did this happen to you guys? Thank yous!

Hmmm...I was usually naseous and dizzy before I cut out white sugar and flour (and white rice and potatoes). So I can't say that I remember going through anything like withdrawal. I was definitely feeling better after 7-10 days, though. So just try to stick with it--you should be feeling better soon!

I get that way when I fall of the wagon of eating well. It takes me 3 days to get right again, so give it 3 days of good eating and see what happens. You may be different, it could take you more or less time. The 3rd day is usually where I start feel about 90% better, not completely myself, but definitely better. Keep up with eating well though, you'll notice a difference soon.

Talk to you later.

Yeah, that makes sence. It's probebly because I just greatly reduced the intake and didn't totally cut it out. But I'm definitly going to stick with it, and during the week days it will be alot easier to do.
I know I said that last question was the last, but I have one more, I promise(I hope!) this is the last! lol. And it's because I couldn't really find a straight answer. How about evaporated cane juice and fruit juice sweetened products? Because I bought plain soymilk and it has that in it. I know it's a sugar, but does the fact that it's unrefined make a difference? lol. Thanks.
P.S. By the way, how were you guys' weekends? We've all been talking alot this weekend so I thought I'd ask how you're doing and how your weekends were.