Low Blood Sugar?

[Wonder Wheels]

How do you guys prevent this? When I get it I could munch a 4 pack of Mars Bars in a minute. What should I eat or carry with me to stop this horrible feeling?

 

[guitarpete247]

Are you diabetic? My brother who is diabetic takes some carbs with him. He is late 40's and has been diagnosed since he was 16 so is hopefully now in control most of the time. A recent conversation with him he told me doesn't want to exercise too late in the evening to risk going Hypo in his sleep.

 

[rollinstok]

A pretty quick sugar fix.. jelly babies, coca cola, a 4 pack of mars bars
Its worth checking your blood sugar in a normal situation if this is a big problem for you

 

[Wonder Wheels]

I'm not diabetic. My doctor told me it's just low blood sugar so I was wondering if anyone else got it.

Last time I was out I cellotaped a Kit Kat to my bike in case I got it, think I'll go the Jellybabies or Fruit Pastilles way, at least then I can keep them in my pocket without a meltdown

 

[Mazzaroos]

As a Type 1 Diabetic I've found that nothing is better to jump up your blood sugar than liquids like Lucozade. With it being liquid and full of carbs it's the fastest way to up your blood sugar.
A comparison, in my case, would be that Lucozade gets my blood sugars in the ok zone in about 2-5 mins, but with solids like sweets and chocolate it can take up to 15 mins.

Hope this helps!

 

[ayceejay]

Low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia should not be taken lightly it is not simply a case of returning to balance as quickly as possible because a hypo is damaging to your system. Prevention is better. If you have a tendency to be low normally obviously exercise will push you over the edge and you need to eat more to compensate, complex carbs will stay in your system longer than any of the simple carbs mentioned above so you should use those for emergencies only. Perhaps you could invest in a monitor to test your blood before you go out.

 

[Muddyfox]

I think i get this as well ? to the point where i will start to shake and when it happens i crave a banana sandwich ? perhaps i should seek some sort of medical test

 

[MattHB]

I think i get this as well ? to the point where i will start to shake and when it happens i crave a banana sandwich ? perhaps i should seek some sort of medical test

Anyone craving a banana sandwich should seek medical assistance

 

[lejogger]

It sounds to me like you're just reaching the point where you've used up your carb fuel and 'take the knock' or 'hit the wall'. This is when your body starts burning fat and energy from organs etc as it's depleted your carb stores. It's not pleasant.
The easiest way to prevent it is to ensure that you're eating enough and correctly before you set off. Think of your body like a car. You have to fill the tank BEFORE you set off.
Sugary snacks will help keep you ticking over, but remember the refined sugars in chocolate and sweets has an immediate rush followed by a low that can put you in a worse state than before. Ideally you should be eating foods that generate slow release energy perhaps porridge before you go out and then a banana or two in reserve.
Energy supplements are also ideal... replacing the right kind of energy is exactly what they're designed for. If you're going for a long ride try to have one water bottle and then an energy drink in the other. I use SIS powder and it works well.

Hope this helps.

 

[sabian92]

You might want to get a blood sugar meter test thingy (god know what they're called, my fiancee is diabetic and I can't tell you what it's called ). If your brother "pretends" he lost his he can get another one for free through the doctors for you. Might be worth pricking your finger after a ride just to see what your sugar levels are and then you know how low you shouldn't go.

Do avoid hypoglycaemic bouts though. People might think you're drunk and sleepy (word slurring etc) but it can be properly dangerous if you don't eat something. The best way if you do go hypoglycaemic is eat something really sugary immediately, then after an hour eat some carbs (sandwich, pasta, rice etc). Just don't pretend it isn't happening because it can be really serious. You might wake up with a thumping headache in the morning if you've had a hypo during the night too.

All this is from leaflets given to my fiancee (she gets hypos too) so fingers crossed it's reasonably correct!

 

[fossyant]

Don't eat sugary food in a ride. You also need complex carbs. Eat a stack of jelly babies, you'll get a sugar rush, insulin kicks in and you will have a huge crash. And coke is a no no. Add in fruit, oat bars fruit cake etc. Sweets to a minimum or not at all.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

You need more low GI carbs. (read) improve diet

 

[PaulSB]

How do you guys prevent this? When I get it I could munch a 4 pack of Mars Bars in a minute. What should I eat or carry with me to stop this horrible feeling?

First I don't want to be alarmist or dispute what others have said but I recognise your "symptoms" and know they can have far-reaching consequences - a bucket full of jelly babies is not a good solution, nor a four pack of Mars bars. The following is my personal experience.

I'm 57, fit and healthy. I ride with a club and alone, 80-90 miles is not unusual. My wife, who has known me for 34 years, is a nurse, midwife, has other qualifications and is a health professional with 35 years experience. She clearly knows me very well, you will see the relevance in a moment.

I have had three grand mal seizures, at age 14, 24 and 57. On each occassion the sitaution has been identical - lack of sleep and very little to eat. Throughout my adult life I have had a tendency to become very slightly shaky (not discernible to others but I feel it) and sweaty if I don't eat correctly - I get 10-15 minutes warning of this and if I eat I'm fine very quickly. On the bike this manifests itself as a huge, almost overwhelming, desire for sugary products.

At 14 I had 5 years of tests every six months and nothing was found. At 24 I was a young man and simply ignored it. At 57, on the day when I suddenly felt crap, I shovelled down a load of jelly babies when I should have eaten. 45 minutes later, when I had just got home after driving I had a full blown fit. I was taken to hospital, told to stop driving immediately and two months later, after a ten minute consultation (!) with a neurologist, was diagnosed as epileptic.

Without going into all the detail both I and my wife are convinced this is low blood sugar but there is no way to argue with a consultant neurologist, especially when you want him to give you the OK to drive. The result of my last seizure is an epilepsy diagnosis ( better safe than sorry for the consultant), 12 months no driving and a lifetime of unwanted, probably unnecessary, drugs.

Eat regularly, properly, and carry food when on the bike and eat to prevent this feeling. I'm not trying to worry you or cause alarm but do feel I should pass on my own experience. Don't think to yourself I'm epileptic. Eating well is no hardship and can prevent a load of difficulties.

 

[Wonder Wheels]

Sorry for the late reply

Thanks for all the helpful info. folks, think I need to give my diet an overhaul by the sounds of it.

 

[The Gourmet Wanderer]

Have a small meal before you go, No matter what time of day it is. Take plenty of water and fruit juice. I take nakd bars with me they are totally natural so the body can digest them without too much bother. Lets face it your body can either digest or give you energy so little and often is better than a heavy meal that will stop you in your tracks.
If you really are interested in keeping your body as good as possible try reading Mens Health.