Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL, commonly found in people taking diabetes medication or prolonged fasting. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), mistreating when blood sugar is low can be seriously dangerous, especially if not detected in time.
One of the most effective and simplest ways to deal with lowering blood sugar is to immediately eat or drink 15g of fast-acting carbohydrates. This is called the 15-15 rule: consume 15g of mono sugar, then wait 15 minutes to check blood sugar again. If the index is still low, repeat the process.
Some recommended foods include:
1/2 can of sugary soft drinks (not "diet")
1 tablespoon honey or syrup
3 - 4 glucose tablets (sold at pharmacies)
1/2 cup fruit juice (orange, apple, grape)
It is important to avoid foods containing fat with sugar, such as chocolate or cakes, because fat slows down glucose absorption, making blood sugar recovery slower.
After blood sugar returns to normal, you should eat a snack containing slow-absorbing starch (carbs, fruit or milk) to maintain stable glucose in the blood.
Experts recommend that people at risk of hypoglycemia should always carry sugar tablets or soft drinks, and wear a medical bracelet so that people around them know how to support if they need emergency care.
