Reactive hypoglycemia.
What is reactive hypoglycemia? Reactive hypoglycemia is the technical term for the "energy crash" and the hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) response that occurs after a meal too high in refined carbohydrates or sugars. This state is characterized by tiredness, brain fog and a depressed or irritable state of mind. The interesting thing about reactive hypoglycemia is that when your blood sugar is low (when you are getting hungry or shaky) having a processed carbohydrate or sugar snack will actually make the situation worse. It will temporarily raise your blood sugar and correct the situation, for a second, and then it will drop you down to an even lower level than where you started. Some real world examples are: the way you feel after stuffing yourself at Thanksgiving dinner and then desperately need a nap, the afternoon crash at work and the way your child is a moody mess after snacks of juice and cupcakes at school. (School administrators and parents please listen up: Stop sending and allowing that shit in classrooms. It affects your child's ability to learn, socialize and perform. And don't use the excuse that it's only on birthdays and special occasions because there is a birthday or occasion every day at the elementary school level.)
Avoid reactive hypoglycemia by snacking on foods rich in proteins and healthy fats, and fruits.
Cheese, nuts, apples, nut butters, yogurt, and other fruits make good snacks. Juices, pretzels, candy and all baked goods (cookies, cakes, cupcakes) are all very poor snack choices, both for kids and adults. Sodas and coffees with sugar or sugar substitutes will elicit a reactive hypoglycemic response as well so avoid those too. To avoid a hypo-crash, use cream (instead of skim or regular milk as cream has zero sugar and the fat content actually stabilizes energy levels) in your coffee and always have coffee with food.
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