complex carbohydrates | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

Low Blood Sugar Range

Diabetes can be any one of several metabolic diseases that affect the way the body metabolizes glucose, this means that for many people staying above the low blood sugar range can be a real concern. While diabetes isn’t the only culprit, it is usually to blame whenever a person suffers a bout of low blood sugar, and low blood sugar can lead to feeling weak, the inability to think clearly, and even coma and death. Usually the blood sugar should be somewhere between 60 and 100 mg/dl, though in some cases those with blood sugar abnormalities may have unknowingly functioned outside the normal range for so long that their blood sugar may be as high as 300 without their feeling it and a low blood sugar range could go as low as 30-40 mg/dl. At 30 mg/dl a normal person would at least be unable to think clearly and would probably be comatose.

When a diabetic or someone suffering from a similar metabolic disease begins to suffer from low blood sugar it is important that they get some type of simple sugar into their body while they are still conscious and able to swallow correctly. Fruit juices, sugar, non-diet colas, and candy are great sources of fast acting sugars that can quickly raise the blood sugar level. It should be remembered, however, that these types of sugars are a quick-fix, and will rapidly raise the blood sugar level and just as rapidly be depleted and allow it to fall. In order for blood sugar to be maintained for the long term, the person suffering from a low blood sugar range needs complex carbohydrates like peanut butter and crackers, or better yet a full meal.

If the sugar continues to fall into the low blood sugar range unconsciousness will quickly result. Never attempt to give any type of food or drink to an unconscious or nearly unconscious person as this can lead to the material being sucked into the lungs which will result in a severe infection or death. If the person has lost consciousness due to low blood sugar the only way to take care of the problem is by rapid emergency medical treatment which will consist of a glucose solution being given directly into the bloodstream via IV.

Menus for Diabetics

Menus for diabetics, the phrase probably conjures up images of bland foods, with very little sugar, and nothing at all fried in order to keep the fat content of the food down. The truth is menus for diabetics are not bad meal plans, and with careful consideration those who suffer from type 2 diabetes can enjoy a good tasting and varied menu. As a matter of fact, once menus for diabetics are examined and seen for what they are it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea for some of us who are non-diabetic to follow the same food regimen. One thing that menus for diabetics have in common with most menus for weight loss is control of carbohydrate intake.

The whole reason those with type 2 diabetes have to follow menu plans is because their body does not process glucose, the sugar derived from food, correctly. This puts some people under the incorrect belief that the type 2 diabetic can eat anything they like with no worries as long as there is no sugar added. This is simply not true. Many common foods, especially starchy foods like rice, potatoes, and even white bread are quickly broken down by the body into simple sugars, and if too much of this is eaten it can lead to unhealthy or even dangerous blood glucose level increases for the type 2 diabetic.

The whole goal of planning a menu for a diabetic is to control the way their blood glucose behaves by eating complex carbohydrates and proteins. One of the rules of the thumb is that unless the food is a protein, like chicken or fish, white foods are bad foods. When a diabetic carefully plans their intake of carbohydrates they can better control their amount of body fat, and keep their blood glucose levels fairly close to normal. By using appropriate menus for diabetics a type 2 diabetic may be able to effectively manage their disease with diet and exercise alone and so live a full an healthy life.