Blood sugar levels and drinks, food

[neophyte]

I have trouble maintaining blood sugar levels when riding 18 holes. After medical tests doctors say I am not diabetic, or hypoglycemic but I thing I have something like that. When walking 9, I have no problem using plain water does the trick. Walking 18 will tire me out but I don't crash. But when riding I crash around hole 10-13, drinking lots of water and eating snacks. I can't take drinks with High Frutous corn syrup, I go sugar high then crash in 20 minutes. Meat, protein sandwiches with low sugar seem to help the most. Can't take peanut butter sandwiches with/or without jelly- I go sugar high then crash, both ways. I am looking for help. Any ideas?

[Fat Slice]

First, I think a doctor is the best person to give you advice.

Next, I had a similar problem - in MY case, it was due to eating foods with a high glycemic load. It's not just sugars, and some sugars are even OK.

Some foods are turned into blood sugar very fast, others at a medium pace, and the best (for me) are converted slowly.

Some high glycemic index/load foods (the kind to avoid) are:

Anything with processed flour, such as almost all bread, most pasta, any potato or root vegetable in any form, processed sugars and foods containing them, bananas.

What are good foods have a low glycemic index/load, such as most vegetables, some fruits (unsweetened cherries, apricots the best, apples and grapefruits good), nuts, meats, cheeses. Water is the best, of course. Try to eat lots of fresh vegetables (but avoid the root vegetables). You want to make sure that you are getting plenty of fiber and protien, and watch your fat intake (those aren't directly related to blood sugar, but when you start changing your diet, you have to make sure not to pick up any new BAD habits).

It took a couple of days for my system to kick into gear, but when it did I had good, stable energy all day. Oh, and don't cheat -- it throws the whole thing off. The idea is to not spike your blood sugar (and cause a spike of insulin, causing cravings, restarting the cycle).

Back to point one: check with a doctor!

[Big Padrigo]

Our club tournaments tend to be played Sunday afternoon midday to 5pm or so. I have played quite a few when the temperatures were well into the 90s and so was the humidity, so it's a challenge not to fade towards the end of your round. I tend to bring salad with me, with some meat in it and eat spoonfuls of that every couple of holes. I also bring some apples and clementines, maybe eat 2 or 3 in total. I find the regular eating helps the best. If you wait too long you have little or no hope of hitting the wall.

[Uthinkso]

One of my team mates in my golf league is hypoglycemic. He carrys a sandwich or a granola bar in his golf bag when we play. We walk nine holes and he normally is in the goods by hole four.


He did mention he quit drinking, but other than that no real big changes in his life.

[Uthinkso]

Our club tournaments tend to be played Sunday afternoon midday to 5pm or so. I have played quite a few when the temperatures were well into the 90s and so was the humidity, so it's a challenge not to fade towards the end of your round. I tend to bring salad with me, with some meat in it and eat spoonfuls of that every couple of holes. I also bring some apples and clementines, maybe eat 2 or 3 in total. I find the regular eating helps the best. If you wait too long you have little or no hope of hitting the wall.

Off-topic but I have to ask. How do you stomach warm salad? That wouldn't sit well with me at all.