Nutritional management of hypoglycemia

PURPOSE People with type 1 diabetes who follow an intensive management program have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, particularly overnight. New strategies for the nutritional management of hypoglycemia ave essential. METHODS The unique properties of foods that affect blood glucose are reviewed with special attention to a new medical food bar designed to reduce the incidenc e of nocturnal hypoglycemia. RESULTS All carbohydrate-containing foods affect blood glucose, but each causes a d ifferent vise in concentration. Consuming a variety of conventional foods w ith different glycemic indices can help control hypoglycemia. A new medical food bar that provides a sequential triphasic release of glucose from sucr ose, protein, and uncooked cornstarch can help control blood glucose levels . CONCLUSIONS Hypoglycemia can De avoided Dy consuming foods with varying glycemic indice s. A new medical food bar that provides sequential release of glucose into the bloodstream may also help control blood glucose levels.