Blood Sugar Problems

[ArcturusXIV]

Hi guys,

I have a quick question. I've been having problems with my blood sugar getting too low on a raw food diet. When I was a meat eater, I didn't have this problem, but as a vegan raw foodist, I find myself getting irritable and cranky all the time. My family notices the difference as well. I feel better on a raw food diet, and want to maintain it, but I need a solution for my blood sugar problems. I'm eating a lot of nuts and avacados throughout the day, and nothing seems to help.

[eating2live]

Hi,

I'm new to raw food and I too have low blood sugar episodes. I've been eating smaller meals throughout the day and drinking plenty of water. Another issue for me is that I'm really not that hungry anymore...this is a first! So getting those smaller meals in can be a challenge.

[juliebove]

First... What exactly are your blood sugar issues? Are you just guessing that there's a problem? Or are you testing your blood sugar? If you are testing... Are you spiking and then crashing? If so, that's reactive hypoglycemia caused by eating too many carbs at once. You might have to watch your fruit intake. Eating too much fruit can cause this. So can eating too much of a starchy vegetable, like corn.

If you have diabetes, you might find that certain foods spike you. Some people have reported that they can't eat carrots, tomatoes or onions without a spike. I can eat all of these with no problem. Green onions have less carbs than full grown onions.

I used to have reactive hypoglycemia and now full blown diabetes. What helped me with the reactive hypoglycemia was trail mix that I made up myself with some nuts, maybe some coconut and a small amount of dried fruit. I would keep a bag in my purse and eat a tiny amount of it between meals.

[saxmaam]

You might google around for cinnamon as blood sugar regulator. There are some recent studies, and it's apparently been used in chinese medicine for a long time. I'm not sure what dose you'd need. Since I read about it, I've been putting some cinnamon in my green smoothies.

[RawHeaven]

I experienced the dips in mood and blood sugar instability when I first went raw. My triggers were sweet fruits. I eliminated all sweet fruits and stuck with low glycemic fruits like cucumbers, tomatoes & peppers. I really believe that leafy greens and green smoothies will correct any imbalances in your body as it heals. Previous to my raw diet I had a sweet tooth and loaded up on pastries and many fatty foods. I think you have to give it time, but perhaps just really up the ante with your greens. Consider having 2-3 green smoothies daily with some superfoods added to it like spirulina, maca etc. Good luck! This too shall pass.

[RawHeaven]

It could also have to do with minerals. Try eating foods rich in minerals like dulse, seaweed, spirulina etc. Dulse is great in salads or by itself. I eat it right out of the bag.

[chilove]

Hi there,

Try cutting out the fats in your diet for awhile. Fat stays in the bloodstream for a long time and interferes with the absorbtion of sugar by the body. Check the FAQ section at Dr. Graham's website, foodnsport.com for more info on this.

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[ArcturusXIV]

Thanks, guys,

It's definitely blood sugar problems. I've always had low blood sugar, though not hypoglycemic. I recognize the symptoms very well...I used to have them a lot when I was a vegan for four years. Then I got back on meat and the symptoms retreated. Now that I'm back as a vegan, and almost raw, the symptoms are back full force, and I'm not sure what to do to keep them under control. I'm irritable, cranky, and have a really bad disposition/temper. I will try Spirulina and Maca and Cinnamon, hopefully this will work! I really like this diet, I just don't want to make a mess of things with my family, either... I already have temper flare-ups because of my Asperger's Syndrome, and making them worse is NOT a good idea, since I tend to completely go berserk when I lose control.

[RawHeaven]

I think Audrey hit the nail on the head. Letting go of the fat and watching combining fats with fruit & nuts will probably help a lot. I bet you will also reverse the Asperger's Syndrome too by eating raw foods.

Remember sometimes accelerated "symptoms" are simply detox and your body might be retracing. It sometimes tends to get worse before it gets better as your body releases. It may in fact be healing your pancreas, kidneys, blood sugar etc etc right now. It's a journey with many hills and valleys.

You will find your answers. :)

[rawstrength]

I think Audrey hit the nail on the head. Letting go of the fat and watching combining fats with fruit & nuts will probably help a lot. I bet you will also reverse the Asperger's Syndrome too by eating raw foods.

Remember sometimes accelerated "symptoms" are simply detox and your body might be retracing. It sometimes tends to get worse before it gets better as your body releases. It may in fact be healing your pancreas, kidneys, blood sugar etc etc right now. It's a journey with many hills and valleys.

You will find your answers. :)

I also am on the autism spectrum (or was, you could say). My symptoms have significantly improved since going raw.
I still am not "normal" (and probably never will be) but I find that the ways in which I am different from others only help me, while before they could be harmful. You could say that raw has helped me turn my deficits into gifts.

[RawHeaven]

I also am on the autism spectrum (or was, you could say). My symptoms have significantly improved since going raw.
I still am not "normal" (and probably never will be) but I find that the ways in which I am different from others only help me, while before they could be harmful. You could say that raw has helped me turn my deficits into gifts.

This is amazing! Rawstrength, I'm so glad you are noticing improvement. Raw is simply wonderful. I love your perspective on so many things...."turning deficits into gifts". Beautiful.

[Eva]

I also am on the autism spectrum (or was, you could say). My symptoms have significantly improved since going raw.
I still am not "normal" (and probably never will be) but I find that the ways in which I am different from others only help me, while before they could be harmful. You could say that raw has helped me turn my deficits into gifts.

Me too re: ADHD! THANK YOU rawstrength for sharing that information! (I love the ways you see things, by the way. You always seem to have such a healthy perspective. :))