EP62: Cornflakes Bowl & My Blood Sugar! | Breakfast Series [c4b1f5]

2025-09-13

Low Blood Sugar Symptoms During Fasting in Athletes: Understanding the Risks

When engaging in intense physical activity, athletes often find themselves pushing their bodies to new limits. However, one of the most critical factors that can impact athletic performance is blood sugar levels. Specifically, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during fasting periods can have severe consequences for individuals who engage in prolonged exercise or competition.

The Dangers of Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia occurs when glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL, causing symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness, and confusion. In athletes, low blood sugar is particularly concerning due to the high energy demands placed on their bodies during blood sugar daniel kraus exercise. When glycogen stores are depleted too quickly or glucose absorption is slowed down (as seen in prolonged fasting), hypoglycemia can set in.

Causes of Low Blood Sugar During Fasting

Several factors contribute to low blood sugar during fasting, including:

  • Insufficient nutrition: Inadequate intake of if blood sugar is high what should i do carbohydrates before exercise.
  • Overtraining: Prolonged periods of intense training without adequate rest and recovery time.
  • Poor glucose absorption: Genetic disorders or certain medications can impair the body's ability to absorb glucose from food.

Recognizing Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

Athletes should be aware of their body's warning signs, which may include:

  1. Shakiness
  2. Dizziness or lightheadedness
  3. Confusion and difficulty concentrating
  4. Rapid heartbeat and palpitations
  5. Cold sweats

Managing Low Blood Sugar During Fasting

To mitigate the risks of low blood sugar, athletes can take several preventative measures:

  1. Carbohydrate loading: Ingesting carbohydrates rich in glycogen-storing nutrients (such as complex carbs or high-GI foods) to maximize energy stores.
  2. Pre-exercise nutrition planning: Eating a balanced meal with adequate glucose content before competition or intense exercise sessions.
  3. Monitoring blood sugar levels: Regularly checking fasting blood sugar values.

By understanding the causes of low blood sugar during fasting and recognizing its symptoms, athletes can take proactive steps to maintain optimal performance while minimizing their blood sugar levels in morning risk for hypoglycemia.

In this Breakfast Series, I’m having popular breakfast items that we all eat, to see which ones increase blood sugar by how much, so I can take an informed decision on what to eat. . Selected sources for ideal blood sugar increase after eating (30mg/dl or lower): - - Please note: This is what I personally aim to do, each person should do their own research and consult a medical professional. . Research today shows that high blood sugar variability, in the long term, can lead a vast variety of health issues including weight gain (See the work of Dr. Rob Lustig, Dr. Casey Means, Dr. Michael Snyder & Jessie Inchauspé among others). My aim is to track blood sugar variability and to stay within normal sugar levels as much as possible. And I’m sharing my experiences. . Please do note: I'm not a diabetic, or even a pre-diabetic. And I hope to stay that way by avoiding insulin resistance. These are my continuous glucose monitor readings (CGM), and everyone's readings can be different. Ideally, each person should test food items on themselves individually to see how their body reacts. Finally, in addition to glucose spikes, calories & quality of ingredients also matter. . Sensor: Abbott Freestyle Libre . Enjoy the videos! . #weightloss #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #diabetes #weightloss #shorts
EP62: Cornflakes Bowl & My Blood Sugar! | Breakfast Series