How to Treat Low Blood Sugar

Eat or drink 15-20 grams of simple sugar., Wait 15 minutes, then check your sugar., Eat another serving of simple carbs if your sugar is still low., Eat a small snack or your next meal., Check with your doctor.

6 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Eat or drink 15-20 grams of simple sugar.

    Simple carbohydrates include sugars that are easily broken down by your body, as opposed to starches or fibers.You only need 15-20 grams to quickly raise your blood sugar.Great options include: 4 ounces (118 ml) of juice or regular soda 4 glucose tablets Packet of sugar Tablespoon (15 ml) of honey 8 ounces (237 ml) of nonfat or 1% milk 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of raisins 6 large jelly beans 5 Life Savers 4 Starbursts 15 Skittles 12 gummy bears 15 grapes ½ a banana 1 small apple or orange
  2. Step 2: Wait 15 minutes

    Use your normal method of checking your sugar to see if your levels have returned to normal.

    Your blood sugar should be above 100 mg/dl.

    If it isn’t, repeat the process., If you sugar was still under 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l), eat another serving of 15-20 grams of simple sugar.

    Wait another 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar.Most people will have stabilized after one or two sugar cycles; however, continue the process until your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l). , When your sugar is stable, you need to eat a snack if your meal is more than one hour away.

    If you were planning to eat within an hour, just wait until your next meal.

    Otherwise, have a small, healthy snack that contains complex carbs as well as protein and fat to stabilize your blood sugar.While your snack should not be a simple sugar, it should contain complex carbohydrates.For example, eat a sandwich with meat, lettuce, and tomato as a meal.

    For a snack, you could try a low carb protein bar. , If you are experiencing low blood sugar often, talk to your doctor to see if you need any adjustments to your diet or medications.

    While low blood sugar is a normal occurrence in diabetics, it should not happen more than 3 times a week.
  3. Step 3: then check your sugar.

  4. Step 4: Eat another serving of simple carbs if your sugar is still low.

  5. Step 5: Eat a small snack or your next meal.

  6. Step 6: Check with your doctor.

Detailed Guide

Simple carbohydrates include sugars that are easily broken down by your body, as opposed to starches or fibers.You only need 15-20 grams to quickly raise your blood sugar.Great options include: 4 ounces (118 ml) of juice or regular soda 4 glucose tablets Packet of sugar Tablespoon (15 ml) of honey 8 ounces (237 ml) of nonfat or 1% milk 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of raisins 6 large jelly beans 5 Life Savers 4 Starbursts 15 Skittles 12 gummy bears 15 grapes ½ a banana 1 small apple or orange

Use your normal method of checking your sugar to see if your levels have returned to normal.

Your blood sugar should be above 100 mg/dl.

If it isn’t, repeat the process., If you sugar was still under 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l), eat another serving of 15-20 grams of simple sugar.

Wait another 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar.Most people will have stabilized after one or two sugar cycles; however, continue the process until your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l). , When your sugar is stable, you need to eat a snack if your meal is more than one hour away.

If you were planning to eat within an hour, just wait until your next meal.

Otherwise, have a small, healthy snack that contains complex carbs as well as protein and fat to stabilize your blood sugar.While your snack should not be a simple sugar, it should contain complex carbohydrates.For example, eat a sandwich with meat, lettuce, and tomato as a meal.

For a snack, you could try a low carb protein bar. , If you are experiencing low blood sugar often, talk to your doctor to see if you need any adjustments to your diet or medications.

While low blood sugar is a normal occurrence in diabetics, it should not happen more than 3 times a week.

About the Author

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Amanda Thomas

Brings years of experience writing about home improvement and related subjects.

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