hypoglycemia

[dreamqueen]

Hello everyone

I'm new here and this is my first post!

I've been hypoglycemic my whole life and have found that eating a little all the time instead of going hours between big meals is the best way to regulate it.

My problem is this: my trainer told me to eat at least one hour before, but preferably two to three hours before, going to the gym. However, because of the hypoglycemia, I find I need to eat at most 20 minutes before going to the gym or I'll get so hungry during the workout that I can't finish it. I've found that a bagel with hummus, peanut butter, or almond butter works best to keep me from getting hungry, but I still need to eat again as soon as I get home. I wouldn't mind this except that because the food's not digested, I burp all the way through my workout...

Any advice/experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks,
Dreamqueen

[fredrikw]

hi dreamqueen, welcome to the board!

I have no experience or knowledge about hypoglycemia, but from a general point of view you should try not to eat food that takes time to digest so close to a workout. high fat (peanut or almond butter) will take longer to digest and stay longer in your stomach. you could also try to eat some carbs during your workout, a banana is prefect as a snack during training.

[michaelhobson]

Sorry, don't have any experience with this. Have you tried a sports drink perhaps? Something you could sip even while working out? That way you wouldn't really be digesting anything. Just a thought.

Welcome to the board.

[Logivas]

I agree with the idea for a banana. If you eat more easily digested foods right before your workout, you'll be better off.

Try a half serving of Nutribiotic Rice protein blended with a banana and some rice milk or juice. That should be easily digested very quickly.

[dreamqueen]

thanks for the input so far!

i guess i should have said that i won't drink sports drinks or eat commercial energy bars - i try to avoid processed food as much as possible.

as for not eating nut butters...that's the whole dilemma: they're not the best thing but they're so far the only thing that keeps me from getting hungry while working out.

i will try the banana suggestion though!

[fredrikw]

i guess i should have said that i won't drink sports drinks or eat commercial energy bars

well then, make your own energy bars then

dates are also good to eat, apricots as well.

I have the same experience with peanut butter, a couple of PB sandwiches at least one hour before training is perfect, keeps me going for many hours... but too close and it's stuck in my stomach

[Crash]

Welcome to the board Have you tried making your own shakes ? Put a few fruits and/or veggies, ice cubes or soy milk, maybe even a little peanut butter in the blender and have that before a work out ?

[V VII Hero]

my brother has hypoglycemia. I have never been tested for it, but apparently it runs in the family.

definately eat something before your workout that you are able to access for energy. try apples or bananas before your workout. that's what I do. anything really complex like bagels or peanutbutter you cant use right away. plus the peanutbutter will give you gas (burps). try drinking a lot more water and definately hit up those bananas. I sometimes eat 3 or 4 before a workout.

[heatherhorton]

Hi Dreamqueen,

I too suffer from this annoying condition...when you don't take in some sort of sugar or simple carb if your sugar drops too low it becomes a nightmare...can't concentrate, vision affected, mood swings and weakness for me. I like the banana or dried fruit idea. Think I'll try it!

Heather

[offense74]

I eat a bowl of oatmeal about an hour before workout (both aerobic and anaerobic) and that takes me through the workout just fine.

[dreamqueen]

Thanks for all these suggestions! I'll definitely give them all a try until I find what works for me.

[dreamqueen]

6+ years later I've found what works for me: a VEGA smoothie with banana, blueberries and other berries, spinach, spirulina, cinnamon, ginger, matcha powder, and unsweetened soy milk. Of course, I eat granola or oatmeal or a pita with hummus about an hour later. But this smoothie keeps me energetic and happy all day long!

[Goob]

I might be hypoglycemic but have not been tested. If I go too long without eating something I get shaky, feel sick and weak, go pale and sometimes get blurred/distorted vision. Seems like hypoglycemia to me , but I'm not a doctor and don't care to pay one to find out for sure.

Usually fruit or sports drinks just make me feel sick and dizzy if it's been a while since I've eaten. I need protein with my carbs generally. Vega works very well for me, but it's way too expensive, so I hardly ever buy it.

Protein powder with soy milk, beans and rice/toast/baked potato, or oats with soy milk are the things that I like to eat before a workout. Just try to keep portions small, because being full and working out don't mix very well.

[JP]

I might be hypoglycemic but have not been tested. If I go too long without eating something I get shaky, feel sick and weak, go pale and sometimes get blurred/distorted vision. Seems like hypoglycemia to me , but I'm not a doctor and don't care to pay one to find out for sure.

i get the same + sweaty shakes which are horrible.

I just make sure i never get there

[Goob]

I might be hypoglycemic but have not been tested. If I go too long without eating something I get shaky, feel sick and weak, go pale and sometimes get blurred/distorted vision. Seems like hypoglycemia to me , but I'm not a doctor and don't care to pay one to find out for sure.

i get the same + sweaty shakes which are horrible.

I just make sure i never get there

Yep, bad stuff for sure. I used to let it happen a lot because I am terrible at planning ahead, but I am getting a lot better with that when it comes to eating at least. Still happens more often than it should though