If your sugar runs low
always let your provider know

• taking too much diabetes medicine
• missing a meal
• delaying a meal
• exercising more than usual
• drinking too much alcohol

Sometimes, medicines you take for other health problems can cause blood sugar to drop.

Hypoglycemia can make you feel weak, confused, irritable, hungry, or tired. You may sweat a lot or get a headache. You may feel shaky. If your blood sugar drops extremely low, you could pass out or have a seizure. This is rare.

If you have any of these symptoms, check your blood sugar. If the level is 70 or below, have one of the following right away:

• 2 or 3 glucose tablets
• 1/2 cup fruit juice
• A piece of fruit or a small box of raisins
• 1/2 cup of regular pop
• 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy
• 1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey

After 15 minutes, check your blood sugar again to make sure that it’s no longer too low. If it’s still low, have another snack and recheck your blood sugar in 15 minutes. Once your blood sugar is stable, if it will be at least an hour before your next meal, have a snack.

If you take insulin or a diabetes pill that can cause hypoglycemia, always carry food for emergencies. It’s also a good idea to wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace.

If you take insulin, keep a glucagon kit at home and also at a few other places where you go often. Glucagon is given as an injection with a syringe and quickly raises blood sugar. Show your family, friends, and co-workers how to give you a glucagon injection if you pass out because of hypoglycemia.

You can prevent hypoglycemia by eating regular meals, taking your diabetes medicine, and checking your blood sugar regularly.

April is alcohol awareness month

Alcohol can have serious health effects for persons with diabetes. It can worsen neuropathy, cause hypoglycemia, affect the liver and pancreas, react with certain medications and cause injury.

If you feel you would like to have an alcoholic drink, talk to your diabetes team about working alcohol into your meal plan.

Follow these simple guidelines:

• Use alcohol only when your diabetes is under control
• Never drink on an empty stomach
• Limit yourself to no more than two drinks per day
• Wear a medical I.D. bracelet or necklace that says you have diabetes

If you are taking medications, ask your healthcare provider about alcohol. Avoid alcohol if:

• You are pregnant
• You’re trying to lose weight
• You have high triglycerides
• You have a history of alcohol or other drug abuse

Number of Servings: 8
Serving Size: 3 ounces cooked weight (4 ounces raw weight)

8 (4 ounce) pieces of boneless, skinless chicken
1 cup Rice Krispie type of cereal—crushed
Pepper
Paprika

Preheat oven to 350°.

Roll damp chicken in crushed cereal.

Place in a greased roasting pan. Sprinkle with pepper and paprika. Add a small amount of water.

Bake covered for about 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. Check often to see if water needs to be added.

When making gravy, you may wish to add a little left over vegetable juice or potato water to the liquid left in the roaster. Bring the “roaster juices” to a boil and add to it a little “flour and cold water” which has been whisked up ahead of time. Continue to simmer a few minutes until thickened. Stir with a wire risk to prevent burning.