Am I the only person who becomes extremely irritable once their blood sugar gets low? I can't imagine fasting for a day - I'd have no friends left by the end of it.
If you feel this way there's a good (IMHO) chance it will pass. The normal high-carb diet many of us eat results in spiky glucose levels. If you switch to a low carb diet you really feel it for a day or two. But then your glucose levels start to stabilize, and you don't feel the peaks and crashes anymore. You also don't tend to have sudden, intense hunger nearly as often, so it's easier to not eat between meals and to feel satisfied sooner when you do eat.
I've never tried fasting, but I've been on a paleo-esque diet for a couple of years now, and I rarely get hunger pangs or feel that "low blood sugar" feeling.
The fasting idea is interesting, I'll probably experiment with it.
Are you sure your blood sugar level really is low (hypoglycaemia), that is, have you had it measured? Idiopathic postprandial syndrome is apparently much more common, presents similar symptoms except blood glucose levels aren't actually especially low and unlike hypoglycaemia, it does not appear to be dangerous (unless you're driving and it interferes with your concentration).
If you suffer from actual hypoglycaemia, I would not recommend leaving it untreated.
In the case of idiopathic postprandial syndrome, episodes seem to be brought on by the steep decline back to normal blood sugar levels, as opposed to actual lack of glucose. What this means is you can avoid the problem by not consuming sugary food and drink in the first place, or combining them with other, non-sugary foods. Basically, don't let your glucose levels get so high in the first place. Fasting for a day shouldn't bring on an episode (although you'll certainly be very hungry!) - eating sugary foods, then fasting, will, however.
Of course, YMMV and I'm not a doctor or even a nutritionist.
Thanks for posting this! I've had this problem for a while and was convinced I was hypoglycemic but when I measured my blood sugar level, even at the peak of the symptoms, it was always perfectly normal. I had the blood glucose meter (and paranoia) because my sister is diabetic and I was afraid I might be too. It's somehow very comforting to be able to put a label on this and to know that it's not uncommon and (presumably) not dangerous.
I was always told that the thing that makes you irritable and cloudy-minded before eating breakfast in the morning is 'low blood sugar'. Sounds like it's probably just 'being hungry' :)
I was like that when I started IF. I'm much better now. The biggest thing was reminding myself that I was crabby because of the food and I'd be able to eat soon enough.. that normally put me on the right track.
I've never tried fasting, but I've been on a paleo-esque diet for a couple of years now, and I rarely get hunger pangs or feel that "low blood sugar" feeling.
The fasting idea is interesting, I'll probably experiment with it.