Reactive Hypo question

Hi BOTT's!


Hala and others, I hope you can help me with this question.  I sit for the bar exam July 25, the national portion.  It is a grueling 200 question test that goes 3 hours in the AM, and 3 hours in the afternoon. 

We are allowed no water and no food.  I can't drink during that time because I literally need every second and having to get up to go to the bathroom could mean I fail.  We do get 1 hour lunch between the sessions.  My RH has gotten quite bad lately.  I almost fainted yesterday.  Today better because I am lower carbing it and it is helping.

My question is this, what should I eat in the days coming up to the bar and the day of the bar to keep my blood sugar even?  This may sound funny, but when I am in ketosis, I feel better than ever.  My blood sugar remains ok.  I have to be vigilant and sharp for 2, 3 hour increments.

How would you eat to keep your blood sugar the most stable and your energy up?

Thanks,
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Best of luck to you!!!!  I have a few suggestions.

Days before the exam, I would continue mini meals throughout the day, always starting with protein followed by veggies & maybe fruit but no to very limited good carbs.

The day of the bar, I would eat as much protein and some fruit and veggies before the exam as I comfortably could and the same during lunch.  If you can bring in water, I would find a protein powder that mixes up clear and sip on that (so you consume some protein all along but not enough that you would have to run to the potty and lose precious minutes)

It''s carbs (usually refined but not always and sugar) and stress that make me tired, foggy and crash big time.

Keep something in your purse or bag in case you do start to crash

Hi!
I've been dealing with RH since I was a teen.  Yes, you should eat a good healthy meal.  High protein, no bad carbs or sugars, just like  we should be eating (but, sometimes I don't and pay for it)!
Good Luck on the bar, think positive and you can get through this!
Deb

Wonder if you tell them you have a medical condition they would allow you to bring liquids/snack? That is if you want. Some kind of clear protein like Isopure maybe. Id think the 'shake' type wouldnt be so yummy.

As for food, I'd stick with maybe eggs, cheese and a meat type breakfast? Could you take a protein bar in the event you feel faint? Better you get a chance to take a second and eat than faint and miss the test all together. Lunch, again Id stick with veggies and meat something like a grilled chicken caesar. You can pretty much get one of those anywhere if you arent able to bring your own. 

 If you are extra sensitive lately, Id even be careful with fruit as well. Ive over done it and had RH from too much fruit salad. 

You may consider having a small meal right before bed. Something low carb of course so you dont get up too off. That said...try to get some sleep! I get so shaky when I dont get enough and something as stressful as that would definately keep me up.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!! 

I would avoid any simple carb sugar at least for 2 days before. That also include fruits. Fruits - as nice as they are - may cause an RH in me - they did so many times even if I had proteins and fat.
Protein and fat - that what keep my blood sugar stable.  Nut butter - like natural (no sugar - no fat add - fresh ground ) almond butter or peanut butter. I would stay away form any liquid protein - calories the day of the bar - exam. That enters the blood stream way too fast and any extra proteins can be converted into sugars. I had RH episode when I drank no sugar virtually fat free protein shake.   So - be aware of that.   I would suggest no shake.

I would ask fro exception - due to medical condition - and I would bring almond butter or peanut butter with me.   Eating peanut butter not only brings my blood sugar up and allow it to stay up. As long as you can tolerate the fat. (I can - up to 2 TBS at a time)
Things prepackaged - that you can snack on- if they let you - is full fat cheese sticks. They are portable, easy identify (then committee can check they have not be tampered with). - but the cheese sticks will not get your blood sugar up if it drops.  You need things with carbs (like PB) then a cheese stick
If anything - you may ask them to hold that for you if - when you need that.  
 During the exam- you will have a very high stress level- cortisone is high - that also may allow your body to keep the good blood sugar stable.  

THANK YOU beyond words for all of the advice and encouragement. I am going to definitely take the advice. Funny thing is, to get a medical exception for food is almost impossible. The FL bar is insane, you go through 2 metal detectors, they treat you like a criminal. They even have bathroom monitors. It is like the first run of H-E-double hockey sticks