Treating Low Blood Sugar: The Rule of 15

Experiencing a sudden drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) triggers a massive rush of adrenaline. This chemical response causes a "panic hunger" that makes you want to empty the entire refrigerator. However, binge eating during a low almost always guarantees you will face a frustrating, stubborn high blood sugar spike a few hours later.

To stop the roller coaster, the standard medical guideline is called the "Rule of 15."

• Step 1: Consume exactly 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. The best options are pure sugar sources because they require very little digestion. This could be 3 to 4 glucose tablets, half a cup (4 ounces) of fruit juice, or one tablespoon of honey. Avoid high-fat treats like chocolate or baked goods; fat drastically slows down digestion, meaning the sugar will take much longer to reach your bloodstream and resolve the low.

• Step 2: Wait exactly 15 minutes. This is the hardest part, as your brain will still be screaming at you to eat, but you must give the sugar time to enter your blood.

• Step 3: Re-check your blood sugar. If your numbers are still below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), repeat the process by eating another 15 grams of fast-acting carbs and waiting another 15 minutes.

Once your blood sugar has safely stabilized back into a normal range, it is highly recommended to eat a small snack containing protein and complex carbohydrates to keep your levels steady.