Sweet Relief: diaTribe’s Picks for Correcting Low Blood Sugar
Just in time for Valentine's Day, diaTribe staffers dish out their favorite ways to correct hypos.
Standing in a convenience store checkout line, I spied a box of Tootsie Roll Pops and lifted the box to check the nutritional label on the bottom: 16 grams of carbs. Just about right to correct a low blood sugar. Now I often keep one in my pocket – they're individually wrapped, easy to open with shaky hands, and let's face it, more fun than three glucose tablets.
Anybody who's had diabetes for any length of time has heard the 15-15 rule, recommended by the American Diabetes Association and others. When blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. Then wait 15 minutes, check blood sugar again, and eat another 15 grams if still below 70 mg/dL.
Anyone who’s experienced hypoglycemia knows reactions vary. But 15 grams of carbs gives you a starting point – you may need a bit less or a bit more depending on your situation and how your blood sugar typically responds to that amount of carbs.
After discovering my new go-to for correcting hypos, I reached out to my diaTribe colleagues who have diabetes and asked if they'd be willing to share their favorite fixes. Based on their own experiences, they enthusiastically shared ideas. Some of these low snacks may be helpful late at night, on the run, or after you’ve already eaten (overestimating carbs happens, along with too much insulin dosed). Other ideas were frugal, practical, and even, ahem, romantic. Read on for their suggestions.
Heat-resistant
Diane Scherer, diaTribe's development director, has a busy schedule and is frequently on the go. She likes the convenience of glucose tablets, which are both fast and deliver a precise way to correct hypos.
The diaTribe staff is spread around the country, and the tablets have another benefit: "They don't melt in the Florida heat – I keep them in my car."
For lows in the night when she doesn't feel like eating, she uses juice boxes. And when she prefers a little less volume, she likes Kedem brand grape juice, which packs 17 grams of carbs in just half a cup.
Ready for action
Derek Helm, diaTribe's senior operations manager, is a surfer who also trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Since high-intensity workout sessions can require more than one correction; he brings along a Naked brand Green Machine smoothie, which has 65 grams of carbs in a bottle.
"I stay away from fruit smoothies if I'm not low because I can't seem to manage the spikes that come with it. But they are one of my favorite treats,” he said. “So I do get a sense of enjoyment when I go low and get to treat myself. They work really fast, too. I can manage a hypo and get back to surfing or jiu-jitsu with some left over, in case of another hypo."
Rolling with her peeps
Julie Keller Heverly, senior director of the Time in Range Coalition, makes a point of saving leftover seasonal candy to create a store of hypo fixes that are more recreational than medicinal. "Peeps and candy corn, most notoriously." She also favors Nerds Gummies. "I like them because chewing tells my brain I’m doing something to address the low, and seems to slow down overtreatment."
Fruit-flavored fix
Eritrea Mussa, who worked as diaTribe’s social media manager, said she likes to rotate in new favorites regularly. "I'm really into Fruit Gushers right now," she said, which come in pouches that provide 18 grams of carbs. "I was on a peanut butter and pretzels kick for so long, and now I’m on the opposite side of the spectrum."
And while candy flavors come and go, Mussa has another hypo fix that's outlasted the others: "My forever go-to is pancake syrup. It’s perfect for when you have a low after a big meal and don't want something filling."
Certified organic
Mareda Lewer, project coordinator for diaTribe's Time in Range Coalition, pointed out that using the same fix to correct blood sugar can get old. But, like some of her colleagues, she has a longtime hypo-fix staple.
"The Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars from Costco are the only low snack I haven't gotten sick of over multiple years," Lewer said. "They taste great, it's nice to have them individually packed and small enough they can be in all of my pockets and bags without bothering me, and are exactly 15 grams of carbs. And I like finding excuses to have a fun snack around. Trader Joe's apple cider in the fall is a go-to."
A little help…
Audree Hall, digital campaign manager for the Time in Range Coalition, likes gummy candy to correct a low. The average gummy contains a little more than 2 grams of carbs, so seven will hit the 15-gram mark. And she likes them even better when a thoughtful significant other keeps some on hand. "I'm always a sucker when my partner keeps my favorite peach rings or gummy bears around."
Read more ideas for dealing with low blood sugar here: