blood sugar issues/question

I'm recovering from anorexia (binge/purge subtype) and am following a meal plan as follows:

Breakfast:  2 starch, 2 protein, 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1 milk

snack:  200 - 250 calories (usually a trail mix granola bar and 1 fruit)

Lunch:  2 starch, 3 protein, 1 - 2 vegetables, 1 fruit, and 1 milk with a packet of carnation instant breakfast

snack: 300 - 350 calories (usually 8 Nilla wafers, 1 Activia yogurt, and 1 fruit)

Dinner:  2 starch, 3 protein, 1 - 2 vegetables, and 1 milk with a packet of carnation instant breakfast

I eat VERY regularly, at around the same times every day, about 8 am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, and 6 pm

Can anyone explain to me WHY my blood sugar would be dropping (on an almost daily basis) into the 50's before lunch?  And what can I do to make it stop happening.

If you're feeling faint, irritable or lethargic before meals, that wouldn't be normal.  If your blood-sugars are low but you feel OK, it's probably not a major cause for concern but, obviously, ask your doctor. If you have this meal-plan from a dietician, discuss how you're feeling with them.  70 is about the minimum it should get down to and hypoglycaemia isn't something you want to happen to often.

Make sure, first and foremost, that you're getting adequate energy in total.    A much bigger breakfast seems the obvious place to start.  You sound like you're not calorie-counting but if '2 protein' could become '3 protein' and '1 fat' became '2 fats' you might find it helps. 

When you go from '2 starch' to '3 starch' make sure your 'starch' choices include plenty of fibre and are as unprocessed as possible.  For example, wholemeal bread is more long-lasting than white bread, brown rice is more sustaining than white rice, rolled oats or high-fibre cereals are preferable to instant oats.   Also try not to eat too many sugary foods for the same reason.  Straight mixed nuts or some peanut butter on bread could be better than a trail mix granola bar (probably very sugary) 

But do talk to your medical team. 

Original Post by eroth412:

I'm recovering from anorexia (binge/purge subtype) and am following a meal plan as follows:

Breakfast:  2 starch, 2 protein, 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1 milk

snack:  200 - 250 calories (usually a trail mix granola bar and 1 fruit)

Lunch:  2 starch, 3 protein, 1 - 2 vegetables, 1 fruit, and 1 milk with a packet of carnation instant breakfast

snack: 300 - 350 calories (usually 8 Nilla wafers, 1 Activia yogurt, and 1 fruit)

Dinner:  2 starch, 3 protein, 1 - 2 vegetables, and 1 milk with a packet of carnation instant breakfast

I eat VERY regularly, at around the same times every day, about 8 am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, and 6 pm

Can anyone explain to me WHY my blood sugar would be dropping (on an almost daily basis) into the 50's before lunch?  And what can I do to make it stop happening.

Do you take any medication to manage your blood sugar? Make an appointment with your DR. sometimes you can control your blood sugar through proper diet but sometimes you need medication. I am hypoglycemic/insulin resistant and for a while I had to take medication to mange it.

Thanks for the input G.I. Jane

The only reason I am concerned is because I do feel faint, irritable, and lethargic at least 3 times a week before lunchtime and it isn't a great feeling.

I could discuss with my dietician switching out the packet of carnation instant breakfast at lunch into actual exchanges, like an extra protein, starch and fat at breakfast.  Hopefully she'll actually listen to me this time and be willing to make some changes in where and how I get my calories.

I always select whole wheat english muffins or toast and cereals like shredded wheat or raisin bran so I'm getting adequate servings of whole grains and fiber.

I had some labs done recently but am still awaiting the results.  I will re-visit the topic with my doctor tomorrow if possible.

Original Post by eroth412:

I could discuss with my dietician switching out the packet of carnation instant breakfast at lunch into actual exchanges, like an extra protein, starch and fat at breakfast.  Hopefully she'll actually listen to me this time and be willing to make some changes in where and how I get my calories.

If you're feeling physically ill don't wait until you can see a dietician, talk to your doctor..... that's their field.  I'd be tempted to add the extra protein starch and fat to your breakfast as well as whatever a carnation instant breakfast is rather than instead of....