# Diabetes question: rely on sugar or avoid it?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-question-rely-on-sugar-or-avoid-it/213128>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 13, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-question-rely-on-sugar-or-avoid-it/213128 "2003-11-13T23:10:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Colinmarshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Colinmarshall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colinmarshall)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-question-rely-on-sugar-or-avoid-it/213128/1 "2003-11-13T23:10:36Z")

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This is a ridiculously simple question, but I’ve been wondering about it for quite a while. I regularly hear exchanges like the following:

**Diabetic.** I’m a diabetic.  
**Other guy.** So then you’d better carry around a few sugar cubes in case your blood sugar gets low, huh?

_And_ exchanges such as this one:

**Diabetic.** I’m a diabetic.  
**Other guy.** Woah then, you’d better stay away _far_ away from those pixie sticks.

Which is it? Does a diabetic rely on sugar for survival or avoid it to ensure same?

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-question-rely-on-sugar-or-avoid-it/213128/2 "2003-11-13T23:18:54Z")

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A diabetic who takes medication which may lower his blood sugar too much (insulin, gyburide or glipizide, the glitazones) should carry glucose tablets to quickly elevate the sugar level in case of a bad hypoglycemic reaction. Low blood sugar reactions can cause unconsciousness, seizures, and even death in under a few hours. High sugars take much much longer to do damage.

All diabetics should watch their carbohydrate intake. Sugar itself is no better or worse than similar amounts of potato, rice, or bread.

QtM, MD

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**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-question-rely-on-sugar-or-avoid-it/213128/3 "2003-11-13T23:54:20Z")

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Yeah, it’s neither and it’s both. My brother sometimes gets up late at night to eat some cookies or fruit if his blood sugar is low. Similarly, he’ll use enough insulin for what he plans to eat, and then shouldn’t go over/under that.

He does have “emergency” glucose supplies, but AFAIK he’s never used them. I know he’s got these glucose things that look like a package of Starburst, and he’s got this syringe kit someplace with sugar in it in case he’s unconcious.

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**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-question-rely-on-sugar-or-avoid-it/213128/4 "2003-11-14T07:55:05Z")

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But most folks I consort with eat a few raisins or drink a little orange juice if they think their blood sugar is dipping. I eat a few almonds before I go to bed to keep my blood sugar steadier through the night.