5 Tips to Stop Over-Treating Low Blood Sugars
Low blood sugars can be scary. They can also leave you feeling physically miserable long after you’ve treated a mild-to-moderate low with 15 grams of carbs. One of the most frustrating parts of an intense low blood sugar? The desperate cravings for food.
With some low blood sugars, your brain is just begging you to keep eating. It feels like it won’t stop begging. It’s like this nagging, desperate voice coming straight from the cells throughout every part of your brain: EAT MORE! EAT MORE! EAT MORE!
But binge eating during and after a low blood sugar can affect your life in a variety of ways. If you frequently over-treat or binge during your low blood sugars, you likely also struggle with:
- Unwanted weight gain
- High blood sugar rebounds
- Increased insulin resistance
- Frustration and emotional distress
- Fear of future lows leading to poor blood sugar control
The good news? You can break the cycle. Here are five tips to help stop over-treating low blood sugars:
1. Pre-Measure Your Treatment
When you feel that intense hunger from a low, it’s easy to grab whatever is available and eat too much. Instead, keep pre-measured portions of fast-acting carbohydrates (like glucose tablets, juice boxes, or small packs of sweets) on hand. Stick to the recommended 15 grams of carbs and avoid going back for more unless your blood sugar doesn’t rise after 15 minutes.
2. Use Fast-Acting, Low-Calorie Carbs
The type of carbohydrates you use matters. Glucose tablets and powders, fruit juice, or dextrose gels work quickly and effectively without excessive calories. Treating with chocolate, cookies, or high-fat snacks can delay glucose absorption and lead to continued cravings, making it harder to stop eating.
3. Step Away from the Kitchen
When you’re experiencing a low blood sugar, the temptation to binge can be overwhelming. If possible, treat your low in a neutral space away from food sources, like your bedroom or living room. Removing yourself from easy access to food can help reduce the likelihood of over-treating.
4. Distract Yourself While Waiting
Those 15 minutes after treating a low can feel like an eternity. Find something to do that keeps your mind occupied—watch TV, scroll through your phone, practice deep breathing, or engage in a simple task like folding laundry. This can help curb the urge to eat more while waiting for your blood sugar to stabilise.
5. Keep a Journal to Identify Patterns
If over-treating is a recurring issue, keeping a log of your lows can be helpful. Write down what you ate, how you felt, and how your blood sugar responded. Over time, you may notice trends that allow you to make adjustments, such as reducing insulin doses before exercise or adjusting how you treat nighttime lows.
Final Thoughts
Over-treating low blood sugars is a challenge many people with diabetes face, but with the right strategies, you can take control. By pre-measuring treatments, using fast-acting carbs, removing temptation, staying occupied, and tracking your habits, you can prevent frustrating blood sugar rebounds and improve your overall diabetes management.
Have you struggled with over-treating lows? What strategies have helped you? Share your experience in the comments below!
Editors Note: This article does not substitute for medical advice from your healthcare team. Severe low blood sugars—in which you are unable to eat or drink food, are vomiting for any reason, or overdosed on insulin—may require emergency glucagon and/or emergency services.
