Hypoglycemia, Hyperglycemia or Hunger Pangs
Here is the general definitions from the internet.
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal. Glucose is your body’s main energy source. Hypoglycemia is often related to diabetes treatment.
Hyperglycemia
Glucose (a type of sugar) is the body’s main energy source, and hormones (such as insulin and glucagon) control the level of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia occurs when the level of glucose in the blood is higher than it should be.
Hunger pangs, or hunger pains, are caused by strong contractions of the stomach when it’s empty. This uncomfortable sensation is often accompanied by hunger, or the desire to eat. Despite being called “hunger” pangs, these pains don’t always indicate a true need to eat.
Learning to recognize the difference can save you much heartache in the future.
I completely understand the “need” to eat… both mentally and physically. There’s a reason I struggle with my blood sugar.
I can tell you all about the three examples above. I’ve worked hard my whole life and have experienced hypoglycemia long before diabetes…working construction outside in this southern heat without enough to eat, I’ve had several “episodes”. As a diabetic, I’ve gotten them also. Trying to watch what I eat AND taking my meds (that will wipe out blood sugar) is a delicate and often dangerous dance. My wife has collected me from yard work on several occasions where as I was zombie’d out…completely out on my feet wandering around the yard. I’ve gone to bed without enough carbs and ended up sleep eating… it ain’t pretty the next morning with the mess in the kitchen.
I’ve also caught the hypo…right before going zombie. I can usually tell if I’m doing something like messing on this blasted phone… I’ll get real shaky. That usually leads to uncontrollable eating of EVERYTHING and a subsequent belly ache AND hyperglycemia where as I feel like a bag of hammered a-holes for hours afterwards. It’s a rookie diabetic mistake…the actual protocol should be to not let myself get there in the first place but if I do, to have a tablespoon or so of peanut butter or sip on a sugary drink and STOP there. It’ll catch up in a moment…not binge eat a bunch of junk.
There’s also “hunger pangs”…where as your belly feels the need to eat, but as stated above, might be counterproductive to your meal plan and you need to power through. Great examples of this would be our competitive BB’s that are on very low or no carb days. They’re starving but not in a serious health condition… they recognize this and power through it. I believe, if you can recognize the difference between hunger pangs and hypoglycemia, it will serve you well on fat loss.
Here is the general definitions from the internet.
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal. Glucose is your body’s main energy source. Hypoglycemia is often related to diabetes treatment.
Hyperglycemia
Glucose (a type of sugar) is the body’s main energy source, and hormones (such as insulin and glucagon) control the level of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia occurs when the level of glucose in the blood is higher than it should be.
Hunger pangs, or hunger pains, are caused by strong contractions of the stomach when it’s empty. This uncomfortable sensation is often accompanied by hunger, or the desire to eat. Despite being called “hunger” pangs, these pains don’t always indicate a true need to eat.
Learning to recognize the difference can save you much heartache in the future.
I completely understand the “need” to eat… both mentally and physically. There’s a reason I struggle with my blood sugar.
I can tell you all about the three examples above. I’ve worked hard my whole life and have experienced hypoglycemia long before diabetes…working construction outside in this southern heat without enough to eat, I’ve had several “episodes”. As a diabetic, I’ve gotten them also. Trying to watch what I eat AND taking my meds (that will wipe out blood sugar) is a delicate and often dangerous dance. My wife has collected me from yard work on several occasions where as I was zombie’d out…completely out on my feet wandering around the yard. I’ve gone to bed without enough carbs and ended up sleep eating… it ain’t pretty the next morning with the mess in the kitchen.
I’ve also caught the hypo…right before going zombie. I can usually tell if I’m doing something like messing on this blasted phone… I’ll get real shaky. That usually leads to uncontrollable eating of EVERYTHING and a subsequent belly ache AND hyperglycemia where as I feel like a bag of hammered a-holes for hours afterwards. It’s a rookie diabetic mistake…the actual protocol should be to not let myself get there in the first place but if I do, to have a tablespoon or so of peanut butter or sip on a sugary drink and STOP there. It’ll catch up in a moment…not binge eat a bunch of junk.
There’s also “hunger pangs”…where as your belly feels the need to eat, but as stated above, might be counterproductive to your meal plan and you need to power through. Great examples of this would be our competitive BB’s that are on very low or no carb days. They’re starving but not in a serious health condition… they recognize this and power through it. I believe, if you can recognize the difference between hunger pangs and hypoglycemia, it will serve you well on fat loss.
Last edited:
