1. Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/FAQ-20057778?p=1
By: Samantha Jackson, M.S., Lamar University Dietetic Intern
What
Is It?
Reactive hypoglycemia is a low blood sugar reaction
that occurs after meals. Imagine your blood sugar is
like a roller coaster – after you eat, your blood sugar
rises steeply. With reactive hypoglycemia, it
plummets down too quickly, leaving you feeling
anxious, weak, sweaty, and light-headed.
What
Causes
It?
Reactive hypoglycemia is the result of too much insulin being
produced and released by the pancreas after a large,
carbohydrate-based meal. Excess insulin production continues
even after glucose has been digested, causing blood sugar to
drop even further. It is common after bariatric surgery.
How Is
It
Treated?
There are no medications that can fix reactive hypoglycemia –
treatment is all in the diet. Here are some dietary tips that can
help you avoid having a low blood sugar reaction:
 Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day that are no
more than three hours apart. Make sure you include
protein with every meal.
 Avoid concentrated sweets, such as sodas, juice, candy,
and baked goods, especially on an empty stomach.
 Eat a well-balanced diet, including protein, healthy fats,
and complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains. These foods are digested more slowly than
simple sugars, and will help you avoid the blood sugar
“roller coaster.”
 If you drink alcohol, be sure to eat food with it. Drink in
moderation (one drink a day for women, and two for
men).

2. Living with reactive hypoglycemia means getting a consistent amount of complex
carbohydrates to keep blood sugar stable. Each of the following foods represent one
carbohydrate choice, or 15 grams of carbohydrate. Your dietitian can tell you how many
carbohydrate choices you need for each meal and snack.
Grains/Cereals/Pasta Beans/Peas Starchy Vegetables Non-Starchy Vegetables
1 slice whole wheat bread
6 in. whole wheat tortilla
½ C cooked cereal (e.g.
oatmeal)
¾ C dry, unsweetened
cereal
⅓ C cooked brown rice
⅓ C cooked whole wheat
pasta
½ C beans and peas
½ C lentils
⅓ C baked beans
⅓ C hummus
½ C corn
½ C green peas
3 oz. baked potato (1 small
potato)
½ C mashed potato (white
or sweet)
1 ½ C cooked vegetables
3 C raw vegetables
Ex: asparagus, green
beans, beets, broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage,
carrots, cauliflower,
cucumber, greens, peppers,
onions, spinach, tomato
Crackers/Snacks Fruit Dairy Sweets/Desserts(Limit!!)
3 C air-popped popcorn
18-20 mini pretzels
2-5 whole grain crackers
3 graham crackers
9-13 potato chips or tortilla
chips
1 small apple
½ C applesauce
½ banana
¾ C blueberries,
blackberries
1 C cubed melon
2 Tbsp. dried fruit
17 grapes
1 small orange
1 medium peach
1 ¼ C strawberries
8 oz. milk
6 oz. yogurt
½ C ice cream
1 ¼ in. square brownie
(unfrosted)
1 small cupcake
⅙ of 8” fruit pie
½ C gelatin or pudding
2 chocolate chip cookies (2
¼ in. across)
2 fun size candy bars
1 medium cake donut
6:00 am
½ C oatmeal
1 small orange
8 oz. milk
9:00 am
Small apple
1 Tbsp. peanut butter
12:00 pm
2 slices whole wheat bread
3 oz. turkey
1 slice cheese
Lettuce, tomato, mustard
3 C spinach, 2 Tbsp. salad dressing
3:00 pm
5 whole wheat crackers
1 oz. cheese
6:00 pm
3 oz. grilled chicken
1½ C steamed broccoli
⅓ C rice
½ C corn
9:00 pm
6 oz. yogurt