Good options include hard candy, fruit juice or glucose paste or tablets, which can be purchased at most pharmacies. Once the person is fully awake, they should eat a meal and check their blood glucose every few hours using a home test kit.
As a general rule of thumb, diabetic snacks should be no more than 10-15 grams of carbohydrates. Balanced snacks include; peanut butter crackers, milk and graham crackers, low sugar yogurt, ½ turkey sandwich, or cottage cheese and ½ cup of fresh fruit.
Nocturnal hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels at night in a person who has diabetes. Blood sugar levels can drop below their target range at night if a person eats too little food after taking the usual nighttime insulin dose or takes more insulin than prescribed in the evening.
While during the day your goal blood sugar range may be lower, it's generally recommended to not go to bed with a blood sugar level under 100 mg/dL, especially if you have active insulin on board (insulin that is still active in your bloodstream and thus more likely to make you go low).
If you have diabetes, late-night snacks aren't necessarily off-limits — but it's important to make healthy choices. Late-night snacks add extra calories, which can lead to weight gain.
If you have type 2 diabetes breakfast cereals made with wholegrains can help to manage blood glucose levels, they release glucose more slowly as they are low GI. Weetabix, Oatibix and Shredded Wheat can make for good choices.
An individual may frequently wake up in the middle of the night as a result of nighttime hypoglycemia. In other instances, though, people may know if they experienced hypoglycemia during their sleep if they notice the following symptoms: Waking up with a headache.
Causes of Reactive Hypoglycemia
It's likely the result of your body making too much insulin after a large, carb-heavy meal. Scientists aren't sure why, but sometimes your body continues to release extra insulin even after you've digested your meal. This added insulin makes your blood glucose level drop below normal.
Fruits that provide the appropriate amount of carbohydrates include half a banana, 15 grapes, two tablespoons of raisins or a small apple or orange. Fruit juice can also boost blood sugar levels. Norton suggests half a cup (4 ounces ) of your favorite fruit juice, such as apple, orange, pineapple or cranberry juice.
Target blood sugar levels differ for everyone, but generally speaking: if you monitor yourself at home – a normal target is 4-7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5-9mmol/l two hours after a meal.
The low carbohydrate and high protein composition of plain, low-fat, or nonfat Greek yogurts make it a great choice as a bedtime snack for diabetics.
Consume a high-fibre, low-fat snack before bed to prevent the dawn phenomena. Two healthy options are Almonds with plain or turmeric milk, nuts milk with basil seeds or an apple with walnuts. These items will control the blood sugar and keep your liver from overproducing glucose.
Adults with type 2 diabetes should normally aim for the following typical ranges: Before you eat: 70–130 mg/dl. After you eat: less than 180 mg/dl. At bedtime: 100–140 mg/dl.
Pomegranate juice is said to help lower blood sugar levels within 15 minutes of drinking it. A study examined the effects one drink of the juice could have on a diabetic and found it changed the levels of their blood sugar - in a good way.
People with diabetes should eat dinner between 8 and 9 pm. Eating close to bedtime or late at night must be avoided.
“Sugary foods are likely to disrupt your sleep. The rule of thumb is that you shouldn't eat in the two hours before you go to sleep.” He recommends avoiding caffeine and switching off the TV an hour before bed.
Why Skipping Meals Is Harmful to Diabetes. Skipping meals isn't the best diet plan for anyone, but for people with diabetes, skipping a meal can lead to immediately dangerous blood sugar swings, as well as potential complications down the road.
The dawn phenomenon leads to high levels of blood sugar, a condition called hyperglycemia. It usually happens between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys overcompensate by causing you to urinate more often. During the night, these frequent trips to the bathroom lead to disrupted sleep. High blood sugar may also cause headaches, increased thirst, and tiredness that can interfere with falling asleep.
If the blood sugar level is low at night then it is due to the Somogyi effect. In case it is normal or high it can be due to the dawn phenomenon. Another point to keep in mind is that the Somogyi effect can occur any time of the day when your body has a high blood sugar level.
In general, foods that cause blood sugar level to rise the most are those that are high in carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into energy, such as rice, bread, fruits and sugar. Next are foods high in protein, such as meats, fish eggs, milk and dairy products, and oily foods.