Why do I get Shaky when I am Hungry?
Low blood sugar triggers a “must eat now” type of hunger – you feel shaky, weak lightheaded and irritable because your body wants you to correct the problem.
Signs of low blood sugar include hunger, trembling, heart racing, nausea and sweating. In severe cases it may lead to a coma.
However, overcorrecting with high sugar and carb foods that will lead to a high blood sugar level can make the cravings worse.
Hypoglycaemia is when blood sugar levels are very low. Many people experience this at 3pm and suddenly have to have a coffee and a sweet snack, which will raise the blood sugar level for an hour or so. Once your blood sugar level starts to drop, the cravings will begin again. Having this cycle, it is so easy to gain excess weight.
Protein type foods will hold the blood sugar level for much longer and will not leave residue cravings for sweets.
Even people with Diabetes can cause their blood sugar levels to drop too low by taking too much Insulin. Not eating enough and exercising too much after taking Insulin can have the same effect.
Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia
People with hypoglycaemia may experience the following early warning signs:
- Hunger
- Tremor or trembling
- Sweating
- Shaking
- A pale face
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness and weakness
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
More advanced Hypoglycaemia can display more severe symptoms such as:
- Weakness and tiredness
- Poor concentration
- Irritability and nervousness
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Irrational or argumentative behaviour and personality changes
- Tingling in the mouth
- Coordination problems
If you do not carry food and eat small every three hours with these type of symptoms they can be serious consequences.
Complications that may occur:
- Difficulty eating or drinking
- Seizures
- A loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Severe hypoglycaemia can be life-threatening
Hypoglycemia is often a sign of poorly managed Diabetes.
How Do I Correct This Problem and Gain Good Health?
There are simple ways to help overcome this health issue:
- Eating small meals regularly, rather than 3 large meals.
- Eating every 3 hours
- Eating a variety of foods, more protein foods, healthful fats and fibre
- Having food available to you at all times
All of your body’s cells, including the brain, need energy to function. Glucose supplies this energy to the body. The hormone Insulin enables the cells to absorb and use it.
We have special bags that come with a freezer block available in our online Shop , that allows you to keep your snacks fresh and on hand to use every 3 hours. This will help maintain the blood sugar at a healthy level and so prevent these frightening attacks that may lead to heart damage and even long term to Diabetes.
Start a routine at night preparing the right type of snacks to fill your bag with. Leftover food from dinner, a hard-boiled egg, or maybe nuts or a homemade protein ball. Such a simple task that will protect your health and allow you to enjoy your life with more energy and zest.
These bags are light to carry and are wonderful to have beside you in the car or desk, allowing you to eat the correct type of foods that will stabilize your blood sugar quickly without the on-going sugar cravings.
The post Why do I get Shaky when I am Hungry? appeared first on Naturopath Australia.
