TMM 093 HANGRY
Aug 20, 2018
TMM 093 HANGRY with Nikki and Sam
Do you get HANGRY? Why it's crucial to prevent the last minute hunger strikes, and fuel our bodies for optimal performance.
Nikki and Sam are back in the studio with #COACH.
Being prepared isn't by chance it's a choice + what to do if you're really stuck and the only thing near you is McDonalds. Seriously we know you think about it so what do you order if it's the only option in a 100km radius?
Hangry is a clever portmanteau of hungry and angry, and an adjective that describes being irritable due to hunger.Or according to the urban dictionary:
Hangry When you are so hungry that your lack of food causes you to become angry, frustrated or both.
So why do we get HANGRY?
Low blood sugar can occur for a number of reasons. It’s commonly known as a side effect of diabetes treatment. However you don't have to have diabetes to experience low blood sugar, in fact many people I know skip meals, get busy and wonder why they are about to throw their phone against the wall if it beeps at them. You just need to make sure you listen to your body and stop putting it into this state of duress regularly as you could potentially create long term harm.
Some causes of low blood sugar include:
- Skipping meals, eating less than normal, or eating later than normal but taking your medication at your normal time can also lead to low blood sugar levels.
- Unplanned excess physical activity without eating enough, (or if you plan to exercise without the right fuel..shame on you), can also cause a drop in blood sugar levels.
- Drinking alcohol when you’re on medications can also lead to low blood sugar, especially if it replaces food. When the body is trying to get rid of alcohol it becomes worse at managing blood sugar levels.
HANGRY 101: The effects of not taking care of your blood sugar levels
Symptoms of low blood sugar can occur suddenly. They include:
- blurry vision
- rapid heartbeat
- sudden mood changes
- sudden nervousness
- unexplained fatigue
- pale skin
- headache
- hunger
- shaking
- dizziness
- sweating
- difficulty sleeping
- skin tingling
- trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
- loss of consciousness, seizure, coma #yup #truth
People with hypoglycemic unawareness do not know their blood sugar is dropping. If you have this condition, your blood sugar can drop without you noticing it. Without immediate treatment, you can faint, experience a seizure, or even go into a coma.
Please note, whilst Sam and I talk about this top line in terms of people performance during busy days - it is crucial to recognise the signs of very low blood sugar as this is a medical emergency. So, if someone you know has diabetes and they’re experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, have them eat or drink 15 grams of easily digestible carbohydrates, such as outlined in 3.0 below:
** You should never give an unconscious person anything by mouth, as it could cause them to choke. So please be sure you know what you're doing re the above. Consult your doctor if you are reading this and feel any of the above are regularly occurring for you.
HANGRY 2.0: Having a serious state of low blood sugar on a regular basis?
If you are aware that you're just being lazy and not fuelling your body properly then please start looking after yourself and prep with some emergency healthy options for car/traveling and busy days (examples of which I will list below), plenty of water and regular meals throughout your day.
i.e. Common Sense and respect for that amazing personal machine of yours that you wander around in each day.
If you experience low blood sugar often — say, a few times a week — see your doctor right away to determine why. Your doctor will begin your visit by taking your medical history, asking questions about your eating habits, and learning more about the symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Getting back to general living HANGRY - the result of lack of planning...
HANGRY 3.0: Treating it and getting your levels back on track
When your blood sugar levels are too low, eating something made of carbohydrates is key. If you have diabetes, try to keep high-carbohydrate snacks on hand. Healthy snacks include:
- Natural raw foods such as carrots, banana, nuts, seeds, dates,
- 1 tablespoon of organic honey
- Muesli and organic yoghurt
- 4 or 5 saltine crackers with avocado if you can
- Fruit salad
- Piece of fruit
- Handful of nuts; almonds, cashews, brazil nuts..fresh or dried fruit
- Smoked salmon, grilled chicken, tofu etc
- Paleo granola;
- Extreme no other choice if you really hit rock bottom: 3 or 4 pieces of hard candy or glucose tablet
- Natural, raw, granola bars
- Fresh squeezed fruit juice or a smoothie
- Pretzels
HANGRY 4.0: Blood Sugar SOS - What to do if you're in an emergency
- Turn down any loud music and try and remove yourself from extra bright lights, noise and annoying people. Gracefully change your environment fast.
- Look for the nearest place you can get something to re-fuel - whether that actually be your own kitchen if you're at home, a road side service station, grocery store, even dare we say it on air McDonalds! Ask for a salad or grilled chicken wrap and some water.
- Make your refuelling a priority
- Pack healthy snacks in your car or bag, desk at work for next time
- Keep hydrated
- Avoid caffeine and stimulants and opt for a more nutrient rich re-fuel.
- Don't wing it. Part of #adulting is being prepared, looking after your body and giving it the healthy fuel and food it needs to do the best job for you.
Overall we can very easily get on autopilot and stop paying attention to the signs. Treat your body with the respect it deserves - it's the only one you've got and when looked after will have you feeling, thinking, acting and emotionally performing at your best for sustainable success.
