Hypoglycemia and Endurance Sports

[Wheelsuck]

My Dr just diagnosed me with Hypoglycemia -apart from her saying she has never seen such levels (which made my A-type personality happy), the bext phase is to amend my diet -which isn't that difficult as I eat quite clean. So this part I will manage.

 

The question I have is how do I now change my race fueling-mostly Triathlon (IM and 70.3) with the odd 21km run, long ride etc and daily training. I dont feel like reading reams of medical opinions so would appreciate some info.

[BaGearA]

dried fruit and nuts 

[FP1095]

Hey. 

Be careful. Hypoglycaemia isn't a diagnosis, but rather a symptom of many different conditions. 

Let's hope it's only inadequate nutrition.

 

What is your idea of eating clean?

What is your body fat %?

Is this hypoglycaemia an incidental finding or is it the reason you went to your GP?

 

Basically, you need to increase your calorie intake, but whether you need to do this pre, during or post training depends on the above questions. 

 

Also, if increasing your intake doesn't resolve your symptoms, something sinister might be going on. 

[GidB]

I agree with the above, 

Hypoglycemia is usually a reaction then a condition, certain People may be more likely to get hypoglycemia than others.

I would definitely try a pre-workout meal before and definitely try nutrition during the workout.

Nutrition doesnt necessarily have to be a branded product or a supplement, a friend of mine drinks half apple juice half water and a fruit every now and again.

I usually like 32gi in my bottle for training and hammer nutrition for races

 

Goodluck

[Tristand]

You don't need to eat more, hypoglycemia makes absolutely no difference to the number of calories burned. However, you need to spread the calories out more evenly so smaller and more frequent meals. Every meal and snack must have carbohydrates and strictly of the low glycemic variety. 

 

Makes absolutely no difference on the bike, just follow the usual 30-60 grams of carbohydrate per hour. Or snack before if it is a short training ride.

 

Some foods that claim to be low-GI are not quite as advertised, Futurelife springs to mind. I had some trouble with that one.

 

PS. I have a bit of a hypoglycemia problem too.

[Wheelsuck]

Thanks Guys -Very Insightful.

 

@Fjeepee to answer your questions:

I try to eat Organic, No red meat -only chicken and Fish. I stay away from Wheat and Colas/Fruit Juices. Lots of Vegetables and Fruit. I avoid processed foods.

 

Body Fat is 18% weigh 72kg-Lifetime Athlete

Hypoglecemia was incidental-I went to the Homeopath as I was just getting sick easy-and felt fatigued and quite grumpy for a while now. She also picked up other things like Vit D deficiency, too much Iron and something called Homocystine (Spelling)

 

Thanks Tristand and GidB for you advice-intersiting I like 32GI Chews.

Tristand-so is Future Life oats not good for you?

 

Lots of work for me it seems to get ths right.

[Jurgens Smit]

Thanks Guys -Very Insightful.

 

@Fjeepee to answer your questions:

I try to eat Organic, No red meat -only chicken and Fish. I stay away from Wheat and Colas/Fruit Juices. Lots of Vegetables and Fruit. I avoid processed foods.

 

Body Fat is 18% weigh 72kg-Lifetime Athlete

Hypoglecemia was incidental-I went to the Homeopath as I was just getting sick easy-and felt fatigued and quite grumpy for a while now. She also picked up other things like Vit D deficiency, too much Iron and something called Homocystine (Spelling)

 

Thanks Tristand and GidB for you advice-intersiting I like 32GI Chews.

Tristand-so is Future Life oats not good for you?

 

Lots of work for me it seems to get ths right.

 

Look this is my personal opinion, but a homeopath is not qualified enough to diagnose medical conditions.

 

i would get a second opinion and a proper check up from a doctor. Preferably one that is active and understands how sport influences your daily life.

I'm lucky enough to have a doctor that cycles with me and understands how medication affects my training and what is allowed and not allowed as per WADA.

[dave303e]

Look this is my personal opinion, but a homeopath is not qualified enough to diagnose medical conditions.

 

i would get a second opinion and a proper check up from a doctor. Preferably one that is active and understands how sport influences your daily life.

I'm lucky enough to have a doctor that cycles with me and understands how medication affects my training and what is allowed and not allowed as per WADA.

 

+1

Treat the underlying condition not the symptoms and go see a real Dr...

[Tristand]

Thanks Tristand and GidB for you advice-intersiting I like 32GI Chews.

Tristand-so is Future Life oats not good for you?

 

 

Never tried their oats version, but the regular kind was a problem.

Perhaps you should visit a proper dietitian instead of a homeopath.

[Tristand]

Excessive iron is a very serious condition, you should really be seeing a dr if that is the case.

[ChrisF]

PLEASE go see a medical docter, get the blood tests etc.  Let them do full and proper diagnoses.

 

 

Best case - diet related and can be resolved easily.

 

Worst case - some underlaying medical condition that requires attention ....

 

 

 

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2016.  The last 15 months have TAUGHT me just how much you can "manipulate" your blood sugar levels with your diet.

 

As a diabetic I need to "limit" my intake of various foods that could spike my blood sugar.  BUT, for a "balanced diet" these foods should not be excluded completely.  For instance, no more white bread, but whole wheat bread in small quantities.  Cutting out carbs all together is not the answer ......  The key is a "balanced diet" - which for me certain food types in VERY small quantities.

 

 

As a life time athlete your body may need a tad more of specific foods .... A dietitian should be able to assist you.  I know mine WONT help without input from a medical doctor first - as the correct diet is combination of your lifestyle and current medical condition.

 

 

 

As for the comment on "Future Life" (and this applies to most band names) - SOME of their products are "good", others less so ....  I am allowed only some of their stuff.  With Pronutro I am allowed three of their products .....  BUT, again this applies to ME, as a diabetic.  The right answer is really tailormade for each person ...

[Jurgens Smit]

PLEASE go see a medical docter, get the blood tests etc.  Let them do full and proper diagnoses.

 

 

Best case - diet related and can be resolved easily.

 

Worst case - some underlaying medical condition that requires attention ....

 

 

 

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2016.  The last 15 months have TAUGHT me just how much you can "manipulate" your blood sugar levels with your diet.

 

As a diabetic I need to "limit" my intake of various foods that could spike my blood sugar.  BUT, for a "balanced diet" these foods should not be excluded completely.  For instance, no more white bread, but whole wheat bread in small quantities.  Cutting out carbs all together is not the answer ......  The key is a "balanced diet" - which for me certain food types in VERY small quantities.

 

 

As a life time athlete your body may need a tad more of specific foods .... A dietitian should be able to assist you.  I know mine WONT help without input from a medical doctor first - as the correct diet is combination of your lifestyle and current medical condition.

 

 

 

As for the comment on "Future Life" (and this applies to most band names) - SOME of their products are "good", others less so ....  I am allowed only some of their stuff.  With Pronutro I am allowed three of their products .....  BUT, again this applies to ME, as a diabetic.  The right answer is really tailormade for each person ...

 

Dude you type like those old NG Dominees used to preach.

[dave303e]

PLEASE go see a medical docter, get the blood tests etc.  Let them do full and proper diagnoses.

 

 

Best case - diet related and can be resolved easily.

 

Worst case - some underlaying medical condition that requires attention ....

 

 

 

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2016.  The last 15 months have TAUGHT me just how much you can "manipulate" your blood sugar levels with your diet.

 

As a diabetic I need to "limit" my intake of various foods that could spike my blood sugar.  BUT, for a "balanced diet" these foods should not be excluded completely.  For instance, no more white bread, but whole wheat bread in small quantities.  Cutting out carbs all together is not the answer ......  The key is a "balanced diet" - which for me certain food types in VERY small quantities.

 

 

As a life time athlete your body may need a tad more of specific foods .... A dietitian should be able to assist you.  I know mine WONT help without input from a medical doctor first - as the correct diet is combination of your lifestyle and current medical condition.

 

 

 

As for the comment on "Future Life" (and this applies to most band names) - SOME of their products are "good", others less so ....  I am allowed only some of their stuff.  With Pronutro I am allowed three of their products .....  BUT, again this applies to ME, as a diabetic.  The right answer is really tailormade for each person ...

 

You guys who are racing and training Diabetics amaze me, it takes a lot of control and a lot of management but it can be done. A diabetic was part of a team that won one of the Adventure Racing World Series events earlier this year, so there are some incredible athletes pulling of amazing performances even with Diabetes and huge respect to you for managing it.

[ChrisF]

Dude you type like those old NG Dominees used to preach.

 

Hehehe 

 

not sure if that was meant as a complement ....  

 

 

 

too many years of writing technical documents ....

[ChrisF]

You guys who are racing and training Diabetics amaze me, it takes a lot of control and a lot of management but it can be done. A diabetic was part of a team that won one of the Adventure Racing World Series events earlier this year, so there are some incredible athletes pulling of amazing performances even with Diabetes and huge respect to you for managing it.

 

pity it took diabetes to get me of the couch .....

 

 

other than that it is actually surprisingly simply "food in" must equal your activity levels ... okay just a tad more difficult than that, as the type of foods, and when you take what yada yada ....

 

As long as I do short rides (let's say less than 20km on a MTB trail) then it is as easy as a "Light" Energy bar.  Ideally small bits spread over every couple of kilometers to keep the sugar levels as constant as possible.

 

 

 

 

It HELPS that many of the events actually do offer some healthy snacks at the finishing line !!   THANX ! 

[ChrisF]

Aaah .... too much iron could possibly linked to - hemochromatosis

 

let's hope it is no more than a dietary imbalance !