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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Endocrinology (including Diabetes) > blood sugar question
Expert: Catherine Burns. RN. BS.
Date: 7/12/2008
Subject: blood sugar question
Question
hello, thank you for taking my question. I am 41 one, female, and in reletivly good health although I should excersize. For about the past 10 to 12 years every time I eat processed carbs [sometimes even good carbs] my heart pounds very hard and I feel like crap for about an hour or so and then feel bad the rest of the day. is this a spike in my blood sugar or what. can I take medication for this only if I am going to eat a big meal, or something I would have to take every day. I know that I should eat healthy all the time, I am working on that right now but what about the occasional pizza party that I dont want to feel sick the rest of the day? I thank you for any opinion or info you might have about this annoying situation.
Answer
Dear Laura,
The glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. This glycemic index shows that not all carbohydrates are equal, and
there are “ Low Glycemic Index food (less than 55)
Foods with GI index between 55 and 70 are consider intermediate
High Glycemic Index food GI (more than 70)”
“The Official Website of the Glycemic Index and GI Database”, provides information on
foods in each of the above catogories.
The quantity of carbohydrate consumed at a meal, whether low, intermediate or high, is important.
People who have a carbohydrate overload meal can experience Blood Sugar Swings.
Frequent blood sugar swings stress the body and the mind.
To minimize blood sugar swings one has to eat mainly the low GI carbohydrates.
Eating mainly low GI carbs that slowly trickle glucose into your blood stream and thus avoid the wide fluctuations in glucose and insulin levels will keep energy levels balanced by minimizing blood sugar swings
Carbohydrates are converted to glucose in the body. To metabolize glucose, the body needs insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas gland. Carbohydrate overload requires the pancreas to secrete much more insulin than our bodies were built to handle. Too much carbohydrates drive up your blood glucose to unhealthy levels. This requires the pancreas to put out excessive insulin which can make the body fat, and also wear out the pancreas. Therefore, those who choose low glycemic eating plans are increasing their chances for a healthier life and are decreasing their risks for heart disease, diabetes
Pizza has a low - intermediate to high glycemic index per “The Official Website of the Glycemic Index and GI Database” as follows:
Food and Manufacturer GI Pizza, cheese 60 Pizza, plain baked dough, served with parmesan cheese and tomato sauce (Italy) 80 Pizza, Super Supreme, pan (11.4% fat), Pizza Hut 36 Pizza, Super Supreme, thin and crispy (13.2 % fat) Pizza Hut 30 Pizza, Vegetarian Supreme, thin and crispy (7.8 % fat) Pizza Hut 49
My recommendations are that you visit your personal physician for a diagnosis, and request a blood glucose test.
You say you are working on eating healthy and hopefully that includes eliminating the processed carbohydrates. That is a step in the right direction. Ask your physician to refer you to a nutritionist for a consultation. Discuss the pizza party times also, and be advised by her.
Exercise is recommended for all of us, and your physician can advise you on the appropriate type based on your medical history.
The above input is provided for informational purposes only, and not to be substituted for the advice of a personal physician. I do not diagnose. Doctors do.
I recommend discussing medical concerns with the personal physician, and that you share this information with him/her for review.
Good health to you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Burns. RN. BS.
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